C-section: Staples v.s. Stitches/sutures

Hi Mommies,

Okay, I am having this HUGE anxiety over whether to do Staples or Stitches for my C-section which is in 5 days. I mean I am sweating buckets over it. I have had my Dr explain over and over the pro and cons of both and he prefers Staples as well as my peri. Many moms on the other hand have had great success with stitches and recommend them.

So I need some mother who have been through this advice.. pretty please. Anything will help. I had my DD naturally and have never had be cut open and I am not worried about the scarring per say, but the healing time and the risk for infection. I could attempt a breech extraction for the 2nd twin, but I do not want to risk that. I would rather just do the C-section.

Much thanks,

Summer

 

Hi Summer,
I had staples put in...actually, I didn't get a choice in the matter, they just did it! But...I can tell you, I had a great experience. I never got an infection (even though I was so busy, I was forgetting to take my meds)! AND, it didn't hurt having the staples removed. It felt more like a little pinch. I think I had 11 or 12 staples if I remember correctly.
Good luck! :hug99:

 

I didn't have a choice either but got staples. They seemed fine to me. No infection or anything. I was super scared when he came in to take them out - I am a huge baby when it comes to pain. It didn't hurt AT ALL! I think that the worst part was just looking at them - of course my stomach was still so big I only got glimpse of them once or twice!

 

I never thought about it at the time, and my Dr. didn't ask my opinion...she just put in staples. They were fine. I was healing so well I actually had them removed the day before I left the hospital, 5 days after the section. I never had a single issue, and getting them removed was 100% painless. Don't stress...I promise it is NO big deal at all.

 

Hi Summer,

Not to long ago (6 weeks ago), I had to have surgery and they made an incision in the bikini line like a c-section (just not into the uterus). My doctor used the dissolving stitches and i absolutely loved it. I did not have to go and have anything removed afterwards, I myself would have the stitches done again.

My Doctor prefers the stitches, and he is good at it. I have never had staples so i can not give you a comparison.

 

QUOTE(mom2threeprincesses @ May 10 2007, 04:02 PM) [snapback]250888[/snapback]
Hi Mommies,

Okay, I am having this HUGE anxiety over whether to do Staples or Stitches for my C-section which is in 5 days. I mean I am sweating buckets over it. I have had my Dr explain over and over the pro and cons of both and he prefers Staples as well as my peri. Many moms on the other hand have had great success with stitches and recommend them.

So I need some mother who have been through this advice.. pretty please. Anything will help. I had my DD naturally and have never had be cut open and I am not worried about the scarring per say, but the healing time and the risk for infection. I could attempt a breech extraction for the 2nd twin, but I do not want to risk that. I would rather just do the C-section.

Much thanks,

Summer

 

I had internal (dissolvable) sutures with my first c-section, and steri-strips on the actual skin, plus a big bandage over it for a week or so. It healed better than I ever thought. I'm getting ready for my second c-section and am a little more nervous over scarring, but I wouldn't hesitate to do the same closures this time.

 

Thanks Ladies...

My OB ays staples are better then the disolving sutures for the simple reason they are foreign to our bodies and since sutures have to disolve on thier own and that takes 3-4 weeks on average and the staples take 3-5 days to be removed it is less chance for the body to create infection to a foreign body. This makes clear sense to me, but I really think it depends on how a body will react. Everyone is different and I think in this case.. it is going to be a risk I take either way.

Thanks again... anyone else's input more then welcome... The more advice the better.

Summer

 

I've had both (different doctors) and I preferred the staples of the stitches/steri strips. The steri strips tend to stink as they come off and are just a pain in the rear IMO. If your doc gives a choice (mine never did) I'd go with staples. I still had mine in when I was released, went in a couple days later for the removal. (which was a piece of cake)

 

Hmmm, I think I had internal stitches, then staples, and after the staples came out(3 days PP), I had the steri-strips. The staples didn't hurt coming out at all.

 

Becky,

That is exactly how my OB describe he would do it. He asid internal stitches for the muscle part then staples which would be removed within 3-5 days as long as I am healing well.

 

okay, is anyone else cringing while reading this? there's a huge chance i'll be getting a c-section (and my doctor - i get the impression - is encouraging it), i just have never had any major surgery before and all this talk of sutures and staples is making me so queasy :wacko:
i'm a TOTAL baby, and can't stand the site of my own blood even, how in the world am i gonna do this??? i made myself read this thread to inform myself and sort of to "suck it up cuz it'll probably happen to me", but i really just can't handle it. blaaaaaaaaaaaah. am i the only wuss here?

okay sorry. had to vent. now back to our regulalry scheduled thread. :FIFblush:

 

I wasn't given a choice, they put staples in! I didn't have any issues with them (I have a vertical scar). After they took them out (from the twins), they sent me home with steri-strips on, but after Liam, they just took them out.

 

I was a little apprehensive about reading this too! I've known I'm having a section since the beginning, but now that it's coming up, I'm starting to freak out a little. I hadn't even thought about the staples vs sutures. I haven't asked the doctors about the specifics of the surgery on purpose. I know the basics, and I think that's all I need to know. I was actually up in the middle of the night worrying about the epidural/spinal...and of all things - the catheter!

 

I'm cringing and I had the staples. One thing is removing the staples doesn't hurt. I did feel the staples pulling when I moved so I was happy to have them out. As for steri strips, I just had one fall of the other day... yeah I know my babies are 7 months. No idea where it came from!

 

I had staples, no problems whatsoever and it healed up quickly.

 

I didn't read all the responses. So someone else may have said this. A friend told me that at her 2nd c-section (11 months ago) they used glue! No staples or stitches externally.....she said here recovery was SO much easier. It might be something to investigate.

 

QUOTE(sunshinetwins @ May 11 2007, 07:30 AM) [snapback]251450[/snapback]
I was a little apprehensive about reading this too! I've known I'm having a section since the beginning, but now that it's coming up, I'm starting to freak out a little. I hadn't even thought about the staples vs sutures. I haven't asked the doctors about the specifics of the surgery on purpose. I know the basics, and I think that's all I need to know. I was actually up in the middle of the night worrying about the epidural/spinal...and of all things - the catheter!


yeah, maybe i shouldn't research the specifics of it all, either!

 

I also had staples after my C-Section. I had no pain, no infection, couldn't feel them. There was also no pain when they were pulled out.

 

My Doc mentioned the glue.. He said it is somethingn ew they are trying, but his patients arenot going to be ginny pigs..lol. He said he will wiat another year or so before trying it on his patients. I had seen the glue and I have heard of it being used on small incisions, but 6 inches plus... Yikes... I think it would depend in a lot. I am not brave enough to be a test patient.

 

I am only 16 weeks along, but I am worried/ nervous about having a c-section as well. I am just wondering if any of you have problems healing? I am on meds of a chronic illness & don't heal like a normal person (it just takes me a long time). What would be the best choice for someone like me? Kiesha

 

QUOTE(ddancerd1 @ May 10 2007, 09:50 PM) [snapback]251277[/snapback]
okay, is anyone else cringing while reading this? there's a huge chance i'll be getting a c-section (and my doctor - i get the impression - is encouraging it), i just have never had any major surgery before and all this talk of sutures and staples is making me so queasy :wacko:
i'm a TOTAL baby, and can't stand the site of my own blood even, how in the world am i gonna do this??? i made myself read this thread to inform myself and sort of to "suck it up cuz it'll probably happen to me", but i really just can't handle it. blaaaaaaaaaaaah. am i the only wuss here?

okay sorry. had to vent. now back to our regulalry scheduled thread. :FIFblush:



I am a total wimp too. I completely passed out at my first OB visit when they drew blood. I don't know how I'm going to be able to handle it when they want to draw more blood, I don't want to lose consciousness every time! If I have to have a C Section they're going to have to give me something to calm me down because I am going to freak out if I am aware they are about to cut me open.

 

QUOTE(mom2threeprincesses @ May 10 2007, 05:02 PM) [snapback]250888[/snapback]
Hi Mommies,

Okay, I am having this HUGE anxiety over whether to do Staples or Stitches for my C-section which is in 5 days. I mean I am sweating buckets over it. I have had my Dr explain over and over the pro and cons of both and he prefers Staples as well as my peri. Many moms on the other hand have had great success with stitches and recommend them.

So I need some mother who have been through this advice.. pretty please. Anything will help. I had my DD naturally and have never had be cut open and I am not worried about the scarring per say, but the healing time and the risk for infection. I could attempt a breech extraction for the 2nd twin, but I do not want to risk that. I would rather just do the C-section.

Much thanks,

Summer


My reply EXACTLY from a-z. its like iam reading my response in someone else's post.

 

I had stitches. My ob prefered them. Someone recommended stitches (instead of staples) for my c-section. I guess I would go with what the doctor prefers to do! I had a great experience though with stitches.