Post surgery stitches...

[DontBeBitterGlitter2023]

Had a laparoscopy to treat endometriosis (5th time) on the 15th May. Back to work tomorrow after 3 weeks off... I feel absolutely 100% fine in myself (except missing the gym!) but my stitches are still resolutely in place. They are supposed to be dissolvable but just haven't budged - is that still totally normal or should I call the team at the hospital for advice?

I will say also that my body is fairly slow to heal from anything, including still being bruised at surgery sites 3 weeks later...

Do you still have dressings on them? They need moisture to dissolve.
Mine were still there and pulling a couple of weeks later, even though I hadn’t had dressings on, so I just snipped them and gave a gentle tug. They will dissolve eventually but I’ve seen people with them still in at week 4.

No I had the dressings removed after 5 days... I also have at least one bath a day so they are definitely getting a good soak! I think I can't snip them as they are largely under the skin

Have you tried giving a gentle tug? Sometimes they have dissolved inside and just need pulling to help out of the skin.
You only need to make one snip by a knot and then gently pull to remove though.

There aren't any outside that I can see but I can feel them just inside the skin...

You don’t even have a knot on the outside? Did they maybe just close with glue? Or it’s the tissue knitting together that you can feel?

Stitches fir laps always internal and dissolvable. They can take a few months to dissolve so don't worry. As long as your wounds aren't red, hot or have any discharge you are all good.

As its your 5th it could also be a build up of scar tissue you can feel.

Stitches fir laps always internal and dissolvable.

None of mine were, & I see a fair few that aren’t too. I am seeing more glue being used theses days though.