Internal Stitches question

I'm paranoid about the internal stitches coming out and how much bleeding will accompany them. Also, when can I expect this to begin? I am 8 days post op now, and doing okay, I guess.

Thanks.

I am only coming up on 5 weeks post-op. I think i read that internal stitches start to dissolve around the 6 week mark. I am hoping no bleeding is involved.

Good question!

At my 6 week post op exam the NP found that my stitches were still there, meaning not dissolved and not healed yet. I'm still on lifting/exercise/sex restrictions, and I have to go back in 2 weeks.

The NP said the only thing I might notice when they come out is that they look like a little spider in the toilet bowl.

My doc's assistant said that the "norm" is for the stitches to start disolving between 6-8 wks and it may be accompanied by slight bleeding, but nothing major. I'm only at 2 1/2 wks, so I haven't experienced it yet. She also said that there is usually no pain involved with them coming out... she said she was just trying to prepare me and that I may "see" some of them coming out with the blood and that after a few days it usually turns to a brown tinge. Hope this helps.

My Dr. told me I may see them between 6 - 8 weeks. I never did, nor did I do any bleeding.

mshowdy

My surgeon told me I might notice something at 2 wks post op, but I've been bleeding continuously since the hospital and have not really noticed anything. I'm 6 wks post op and sometimes it's slight, sometimes bright red and sometimes brownish. I've yet to see anything resembling a stitch. At 2 wks, I did pass some small clots but ...

My surgeon didn't seem concerned last Tues during my check up, although I do have to wait until 8 wks post op to resume relations with hubby. Not a problem since I'm still bleeding - not real into it you know?

I am going to call if I'm still the same in 2 wks.

I saw a couple stitches about 4-5 weeks (a month or so). I don't recall any spotting with that.

I've started to see some smallish things when I wipe - stitches maybe?

I'd barely had any bleeding after the surgery, and was feeling so well. Then on my 9th day, during the night, I started bleeding and it was red. This made me very nervous since the pre-op nurse said if this happened, I'd probably done too much. (And the previous day I'd felt so well, that this could have easily been the case). Anyway, I rested a lot for the next couple of days, but since then, have been spotting, with occasionally it seeming heavier, but it hasn't really been red since then (usually brownish). I thought this was ok, but at the same time had no idea it would last this long. (I'm at 17 days now). I finally called my doctor's office today (DH was getting nervous about it!) and the secretary told me this was fine, and nothing to worry about. I didn't remember reading anything on the forums about this, and didn't remember anyone mentioning it before. Thanks for asking the question, Dscoochie! Seeing Betty1234's response made me realize that this could happen for a while still, and though that's not a pleasant thought, at least I know it's also normal. I just try to remember to take it easy and pace myself. DH keeps reminding me that I'm off work for 6 wks, so have that whole time to recover. I don't need to do it all in one week!

This has been such a great site. I've done lots of reading here, even though I haven't posted very much. I wish you all a speedy recovery. Remember to take care of yourselves (and hang in there, Betty1234, it's got to get better soon!



Judy

I'm just starting my 8-week post-op today, and no stitches as of yet. Also no spotting since the first day of surgery, and day after. I have a closet full of pads I'm getting ready to donate to a women's shelter once I am in the clear.

Kathy