String sticking out of my incision

[Lisa M.]

Hi,

I have a somewhat unusual problem. My surgery was five weeks ago today and I have a white thread sticking out of the top of my incision. It is very short and I have noticed it for a few weeks now. I do not see my Dr. again until Nov. 13th. My stitches were the disolving kind so I can not imagine what this thing is. I am tempted to shave it off but can't bring myself to do it. Has anyone had this happen?
-Lisa

[obxpelican]

I've had loose ends before in other stitches, I just cut them off in the past right at the skin level, it's probably nothing, but call your doctor and they might tell you the same.  One time I was not able to make my appointment to have them removed so I just did it myself.

The only thing I could see where it might not be good is if it caught on something and opened up your incision.


Chuck

[Yogi222]

I had the same thing & joked with a friend that if I pulled it out with tweezers, maybe my whole incision would "unzip"!

I waited until my checkup and the PA just pulled it out with tweezers & all was fine. It was just a rogue suture (mine were disolvable) and no big deal.

Don't worry & good luck with recovery. I'm 10 weeks out and so glad I had the surgery.

Lindsey
LBHR, Dr. Friedrich Boettner, HSS NYC

[Pat Walter]

Hi Lisa

It is probably a piece of stitch.  Why don't you give your doctor's office a call and ask about it - should you ignore it, pull it with tweezers or cut it off.  Best to ask if you are not sure.

I had one stitch left after Belgium that I was supposed to pull out when I got home, but let my doctor do it.  I did not want to take any chances.  They told me to just pull it with the tweezers, but I was chicken.

Good Luck.

Pat

[grcorl]

Lisa,

This is most likely a stitch that didn't dissolve. I wouldn't pull it out, rather have the doctor do that. The biggest concern would be redness or infection in the area. I would definitely call your doctor and not wait till your post-op.

Roger

[Lisa M.]

Thanks everyone. I called my Surgeons office and he confirmed that it was a stitch. He told me to take some tweezers and pull. I did and it came right out. There was not pain at all. It was literally hanging by a thread (hehe). Thanks for your messages, you made me feel much better. :-\