Sutures/Staples Removal

Elizabeth9

Hi all

I am 10 days post op tomorrow, double with node removal. I have staples that will be removed tomorrow. I am terrified because the entire wound area is so sore and tender still. How bad is it? They describe is as tugging and pinching. Tugging and pinching?? Ican’t even imagine tugging and pinching. I have about 30 staples each side . As an aside, everything I have been terrified about so far hasn’t been as bad as feared. Will this be the same? Any experiences, good , bad and ugly welcomed. Truth time. Thank you.

moth

Do you have pain meds like T3s etc? In many places if you have pain meds they advise you take them 30 min beforehand. If you're inpatient in hospital and havePRN pain meds, the nurses will often suggest you load up on those before they start removing.

Also just fyi sometimes they will take out every 2nd one to see how the incision is holding and then will go back again to take the others - so don't be surprised if they go over an area twice.

Have you been this sore all along or is it new?

I've never had it done, only watched them being removed. I would think though that if you're really uncomfortable ask for them to numb the area with an icepack first. Or maybe ask for some local freezing?