Incision Stitch Mystery

[butternickles 14]

Hello All,

I'm about 6 days post-op and have a question about these neat little incisions on my tummy. I'm sure every doctor does it differently, but most of my incisions seem to be closed with a Dermabond, skin-glue type adhesive. I don't know what's going on under that adhesive, if there are stitches underneath, a couple just seem like straight razor-cut slits, and the bigger ones appear to have a bit of a red wound area, underneath I suspect there are stitches.

I've been trying not to get any of the wounds wet, because I don't want the adhesive holding my skin together, while it heals, to dissolve. But the adhesive is slowly flaking off all of them. I've been cleaning the areas that get exposed by the deteriorating adhesive, and re-covering them with liquid bandage solution. My concern it that this particular incision (the lowest incision closest to my belly button) has what appears to be a frayed thread coming out of it just a bit.

Underneath the see-through bandage, the thread bit lays flat. It's red because its saturated with blood-as it's largely inside the incision. The red string laying flat under the adhesive makes the wound look as if it has a small open area, that's what drew my attention to it. I've tried gently pulling it, thinking it might be a temporary stitch, that it's maybe supposed to dissolve or flake off-but it doesn't want to budge and of course I don't want to force it. It seems to be made of fabric rather than the plastic temporary stitch material I'm familiar with.

My concern is that I don't know how that incision will heal with this little fella existing on both the inside and outside of my wound. I don't think my body will heal around it, and even if it did, that seems not right, right? The wound does not appear infected or irritated, it is not particularly sore, hot or sensitive. I just can't wrap my head around how it would heal like this.

I know the obvious answer is to have it looked at by a clinician locally (I had my procedure done in Tijuana), but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar because maybe this is a non-issue. Or if anyone knows Dr. Ortiz's method of closing VSG incisions-because that might provide me with some insight.

Sorry for the long post, I didn't know how to describe this situation succinctly.

-Carol A

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

Carol, I understand your fascination and concern, but I'm going to say, (and apply a good thick Irish accent to this) exactly what my mother told me if ever I was filly-faddling around with something I shouldn't be.

LEAVE IT ALONE!

It is the exit wound. I had the same. It will do its thing and in time, will be pushed out of the body and fall off. Around it, as it heals and is being expelled, the hole you think is there will close up.

It will leave a slightly 'bigger' scar than the others, but it will be indistinguishable in 7 months. Trust me.

Try to keep your picking and intrigue to a minimum. I would suggest you get yourself some 'second skin' waterproof dressings. They will completely cover your wounds, you can wear them in the shower and you can completely remove the intrigue you are currently experiencing!

It will all be fine - I promise!

[butternickles 14]

Hello Madam Reverie, I love your screen name, very clever. Thank you for your response, I thought it might be something like that. When I first read your post, I don't know why, it registered with me that something more than just the string would reveal itself and drop off, like, gosh I don't know, whatever an exit wound might extrude. And I was thinking, wow, how did I not read about this part? Something coming out and falling off. But yeah, I shall not fiddle as per your directive.

P.S. Still interested in hearing others' stories about wound healing phenomena. When I was first researching, I didn't find much in particular about the incisions.

[Darianna75 131]

I had yr exact same thing .. I finally took a little pair of sharp scissors and pushed back my skin a little and snipped off the thread .. Stuck a steri strip on it to hold the tiny hole closed and it closed up fine .. About 7 weeks out ..scars are just red lines and that one has a dot at the end

Edited April 10, 2014 by Darianna75

[Schmincke 118]

I still have one tiny suture sticking out at my belly button incision. There were 2 others that my doc snipped off last month. Mine is nothing at all to be concerned about as long as it's clean. Next time I see my doc I will have her snip it. Meanwhile I am strictly HANDS OFF it, tempting though it might be.

[Kindle 8,667]

According to my OCC surgery report, the skin incisions are closed with 5-0 monocryl Subdermal sutures and dermabond. As for the dermabond, Dr. So said to just wash the areas like normal with soap and Water in the shower (don't submerge in a bath or hot tub or pool yet). The adhesive will flake and peel off over 5-7 days and you just let it. I think the last of mine was gone in about. 9 days.

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

Hello Madam Reverie, I love your screen name, very clever. Thank you for your response, I thought it might be something like that. When I first read your post, I don't know why, it registered with me that something more than just the string would reveal itself and drop off, like, gosh I don't know, whatever an exit wound might extrude. And I was thinking, wow, how did I not read about this part? Something coming out and falling off. But yeah, I shall not fiddle as per your directive.

P.S. Still interested in hearing others' stories about wound healing phenomena. When I was first researching, I didn't find much in particular about the incisions.

You are most welcome! Good luck with the scar-healing. All will be fine

[Kindle 8,667]

Oh yeah, and as for the little stitch sticking out, if it's still there in a week or two, you can snip it off with a tiny scissors or nail clippers. A friend of mine had a stitch sticking out of her belly button from a Laproscopic procedure 10 years ago and it drove her crazy until her doc just said to snip it off!

[butternickles 14]

According to my OCC surgery report, the skin incisions are closed with 5-0 monocryl Subdermal sutures and dermabond. As for the dermabond, Dr. So said to just wash the areas like normal with soap and Water in the shower (don't submerge in a bath or hot tub or pool yet). The adhesive will flake and peel off over 5-7 days and you just let it. I think the last of mine was gone in about. 9 days.

Kindle, you receive the award for most specific answer! Thank you!

Good to know how the incisions are closed.

[butternickles 14]

little update:

I couldn't stand it, and despite my promise to Madam Reverie, I did fiddle with it, I went in and snipped that baby out! Then I cleaned it up and rebandaged. I had to! It was driving me nuts.