Staples

Hello - I had a TAH on Sept. 9 and when I called for a follow-up with the surgeon - they told me he was going out of town and would not be able to see me until Sept. 30. I called my primary care doctor and he told that was way too long for the staples to be in but he had to order the staple remover before he could take my staples out. Hopefully - I will get them removed tommorrow or Thursday. Anyone else have staples in that long???

I didn't have staples so I'm not sure. I do not know the time frame but I do know you do not want to wait to long - it makes removal difficult and decreases the appearance of the scar long term.
What were your discharge instructions from your surgeon? If you can't remember what he said look at the hospital paperwork. Your surgeon should have someone covering his responsibilities in the practice. Did the staff on the phone understand you were a post op patient? Maybe you should call them back and tell them again what the follow up instructions were and how your GP said that was to long. You can always remind them you are sure the doctor would not like anything that appears to be patient abandonment to occur during his absence. Staff doesn't always get the finer points of prioritizing patient bookings. More often than not the provider doesn't realize what is going on.
Good luck

That's weird -- I had mine removed at my doctor's office and his nurse was the one who actually removed them -- he just came in afterwards to check. It was extremely easy. Is there anyone else in his practice that can do it? Maybe yours are different, but mine were removed 3 days after surgery.

I had my TAH on Sept. 10th and half of my staples were removed the day I left the hospital on the 12th and then I went to my doctors office on the 14th and his nurse removed the rest. I was told the sooner they come out the easier it is and also helps so it doesn't scar as bad. I would definitely call and see if the nurse might be able to take them out sooner.