My dissolvable stitches don't seem to eb dissolving...how long should I leave them?

[IBlameThePMT]

I had a minor-ish key surgery op a couple of weeks ago which left me with 3 small wounds which were stitched. I was sent home with instructions that the stitches would dissolve in 10-14 days. Its day 16 and they seem rather intact to me, should I be getting then removed...? Its just one is in my vagina and I so don't fancy having it manually removed [eeeek emoticon] Perhaps I just can leave them for as long as it takes them to go..? Any advice welcome!

Gah! BE dissolving that is!

The stiches wont hurt to have them taken out if you have them done as soon as. If they have used the wrong stiches some how then your body will heal them into you, has the area become red/inflamed, angry looking? If so get them out, its really quick and doesn't hurt, only a very mild sting as they pull but it is so short you wont really notice.

I had some supposedly dissolvable ones in my chest, and when they didn't dissolve they went a bit gooey. I got the practice nurse to remove them.
I'd make an appointment and see what they think. She might say leave them, if they look OK, but you might be more comfortable with them out. It doesn't hurt - honest

Ok thanks lou and kuri...might give them a little longer since they arent sore and then see my GP nurse or something. The thought of it is still making me cringe tho!!

They've used the wrong ones. It happens. You'll need them removing as soon as possible or the site can become infected. Just keep the areas as clean as possible - bathe with salty water and see the nurse at your GP practice.

when i had gall bladder out earlier this year.one stich took 6 weeks to dissolve and you could see it through my t shirts and it was sharp.

They dissolve from the inside, then the tops drop off; you wont see any difference in the bits of stitch you can see. Very unlikely to be the wrong type of suture. They can take a few weeks to dissolve completely , but after a couple of weeks (as in your case) it's ok to try to pull the tops off yourself.