staples or sutures?

Hi ladies-I am going in for a TAH on October 28, I have a 6 month size uterus due to fibroids. I'm 32. I am totally ok with the surgery and looking forward to a NEW LIFE. One question: I am having a vertical incision due to the size of the uterus, and it's my decision whether to have staples or sutures. Advice is most welcome.
THANKS!
Amy

Hi Amy

Don't know whether this would even be an option for you, but when I had my TAH just under 3 weeks ago my Surgeon used a surgical glue. I had no weeping, no bleeding and no need for anything to be removed a week later.

As I said, don't know whether this is just something they do more often here in Australia or whether it would even be suitable for a vertical incision but at this early stage my cut has healed fantastically and I would definitely recommend it if it is possible.

Hope that I haven't made your choice even more difficult but as I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere here before I thought that I would just mention it.

Best of luck for your upcoming surgery. The recovery really is not quite as bad as you imagine it will be.

Take care.
Helen (aussielady)

Hi, I had a "bikini cut" and was't given a choice as how to close it. I wouldn't even try to guess which would be better. I think that if I had been told to chose , I would have researched the options ( both pros & cons) - then talked to my Dr & deferred to his judgement. I'm sure you'll do fine whatever you chose . That you're here asking for advice shows that you're being careful. Good luck, keep us informed.And lots of d to you.

(((Amy)))

Best wishes Sweetie! You've got a great outlook You are so right...a new life awaits you on the other side!

As for how to close up the skin...well I'm allergic to surgicul staples, so my doc chose to use the skin glue for me. What a nice looking scar I have (I'm serious!). I had an abdominal surgery (horizontal incision) to remove my appendix, left ovary and adhesions.

Like Helen said I do not know if this glue is available to use for a vertical incision or not. But it may be worth asking about.

's and blessings,

Laurie

Hey Amy,

I just had a TAH on 10/1 and have dissolving stitches and I would much rather have them than staples. I had staples with my 2 c-sections and thought they were very uncomfortable. Plus you dont have to worry about going to the doctor to have them removed they just dissolve on there own. Good Luck with your surgery, you will do just fine!! Waiting is the hardest part.


Sharon

It may be the norm what they use in my area but i have had the staples twice. Once when I had the c-section and now when i had the hyst. No one ever mentioned any other way to do it. I wish i would have been given a choice because I would have much rather had sutures or the glue.

Please do ask and find out all your options.

s

I was not asked my opinion & didn't think I would have a choice. I had a tah/bso with vertical incision which was closed with dissolving sutures & surgical tape. It has not been a problem, (except that the tape has been irritating in spots) but my scar is not going to be very pretty.

I would certainly ask your dr.

My best to you,

Mongie

Hi
I have had both stiches & staples in the stomach. I had a tubal 23 yrs. ago,with stiches, and now a TAH/BSO with staples and a vertical incision. I think the staples were easier to remove. But they kind of freaked me out if something touched them. Not pain, just weird to touch them. I got them out 6 days after surgery. I actually think the vertical incision is easier to tend to over the horizontal one. The one for the tubal was much smaller of course but I think the stiches were more uncomfortable to remove. Just my opinion.

Hi amy,
I have a friend who had tah 3 weeks ago and doc used the surgical glue on her. It was a horizontal inscion...but she said it healed soooo quck and you can hardly even see the scar! She said it was awesome..no discomfort there...no burning or itching what so ever... I would look into it if I were you....if it is an option for you that woudl be the way I would go.

I had staples and actually felt more secure with them. I put a big abd gauze pad against my stomach and would not be without my binder. Staples came out 5th post op day. I felt less secure with the steri strips. I was able to shower as soon as I was strong enough . I faced the shower towards my back and tried to protect my incision.