I have a date and I can't get my wedding and engagement rings off...

[styleitoutttt]

What should I do?

Split from H last year. My fingers (and the rest of me) have grown significantly in the 20 years since my rings went on and there is no way of getting them off without intervention (I've tried all the washing up liquid and dental floss interventions).

Options are:

• front up with the date before I go and explain the situation in advance
• find out if I can get them cut off somehow which I don't really want to do because they were expensive
• chop off hand
• brazen it out and say nothing.

WWYD?

Sorry x post!

I broke my wrist and my hand swelled up. The hospital gave me 24 hours to get my ring off before treating the break, or they were going to cut it off.
I sat with my hand in ice for 30 minutes, and with a lot of oil quickly applied before my finger warmed up, managed to get it off

Chop them off at an jewellers and get them repaired. Will cost less than you think. Could get them enlarged but that sounds a waste.

I'm really glad you got it off!! I can also see why yours came off and mine won't - the shape of the band means there is a very sharp and narrow ridge that digs in, there's no purchase to wriggle it up, if that makes sense.

Good to know, thank you I am going to make enquiries

Tape your fingers together as if you have broken them and have a creative tale ready for when they ask you how you did it

How could rings be stuck on like that? Surely they will be too tight and cutting off the circulation?
The dead skin trapped beneath rings needs removing regularly - and any stones need cleaning - I don't wear rings now , but when I did, they were removed for hand washing and drying at least once a day.

Would wrapping ribbon VERY tightly around your finger just above the ring all the way up help slip it off? Or maybe even cling film and then dab some oil/body cream/washing up liquid on? You just need to squish the finger 😄

I would just leave them on tbh.

Chances are he isn't even going to notice. But the main reason is as it seems you have a fairly 5 busy days ahead and your finger will feel a bit sore no matter which method you choose to remove.

I think bruised fingers and not being able to hold a knife and fork may be way more noticable. It could be a great ice breaker chat though 😃

@styleitoutttt Try this!

Not sure if all counties do it, but go to a fire station (a large town one, not a small village one) and they should have specialist rung cutters to get it off( well, they do in my county!)

Can you borrow a large dress ring to put over the top of?

My fingers swelled up (I have raynaud’s) and I tried everything, then just relaxed (so wasn’t sweating) and slowly slowly (like over an evening) edged it off. It’s not much help but honestly it might work!! Best of luck

I think cutting off your hand is the only option here

Why have you kept them on so long?

Are you sure you’re ready to date?

If I went for a date with a man and he still had his wedding ring on (or had recently only took it off) then I’d be put off because I’d assume he wasn’t ready to completely let go of the marriage and therefore not ready to date.

I would try and get them off but if not just hope he doesn’t notice.
If he does then just be honest that you’ve put on a bit of weight and can’t get them off.
In the future you may have to cut them off.

I believe this is similar to how nurses/doctors take off rings of their patients fingers when they swell up.

My closest friend is a nurse and I hadn't even thought to ask her, good point, thanks!

I'm not looking for a LTR and date knows this as per above. So, putting off people with your kind of intentions is a win and leaves me more in the camp of keeping it on, thanks!

This technique worked for me when nothing else did! It’s mentioned in a couple of academic papers. I really did try everything!
https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/fulltext/2006/10000/the_caterpillar_technique_for_removal_of_a_tight.87.aspx

Love this thank you!! I'm going to try it. Perhaps not tonight as I've had some alcohol. Or should I just give it a go?

My fingers were really swollen when I was pregnant and I got mine off with ice bath until you can't feel your fingers anymore, oil and the caterpillar method, go for it OP

Well it might work but it might hurt tomorrow so probably wait?! The string trick did nothing for me but this was surprisingly easy. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you

I think after having a bit of alcohol is the perfect time to try. Any pain will be a bit subdued, can't give any promises about tomorrow though.

I had to have my removed in a&e many years ago when my silly dog jumped on me and broke my arm. My fingers swelled up something terrible.

They used that gauze for burns that has the oil base. It was bloody sore but they did eventually get them off. We were minutes away from them being cut off and then they just decided to co-operate.

Surely they are family heirlooms? Your grandmother's that you inherited but can't bear to take off