1 stitch left!

Hi everyone,

It's been almost 6 weeks since my ICD implantation and I am doing great. I don't mind the ICD at all and am getting used to the look and feel of it there. I am gradually getting my strength back and becoming more active.

I just realized today, though, that there is one of my supposedly dissolvable stitches still in the incision. All this time I had thought it was a very stubborn scab, but I looked at it with a mirror today and then had my Mom look at it, and we're pretty sure it's a stitch (it's straight, thin and black, and hard to the touch). It's kind of grown into the skin now.

It isn't painful or infected looking (the incision in general looks very clean and is healing well). Do I just keep waiting? Or should I see someone and get it taken out (yuck!)?

Any input?

Thanks!
Helen

6 Comments

one stitch will go away

by curly - 2008-06-20 07:06:13

i was advised to rub vitamem e on my scar. i would advise you to buy cream or to break open a liquid vit.e and rub on scar that should clear up your stitch. yours curly

thanks!

by HelenB - 2008-06-20 09:06:35

Thanks curly and Pookie.

It's not bothering me now but it's definitely there.. it's really grown into the skin so I think it would be painful for them to get it out! But I'll ask when I go for my checkup, which is soon.

thanks for the vitamin e tip, too! It's not quite healed yet but as soon as it is I'm going to start using it.

Helen

one stitch

by Pookie - 2008-06-20 09:06:51

Just my 2 cents worth, but I would leave it alone. Or when you see a doctor next, they might clip it off for you. But in saying that, I clipped my own off!!

Curly is correct, if you want to dimish your scar, keep it moist with vitamin E but after the incision is completely healed.

good luck and so great to hear that you are doing so well.

Pookie

Stitches

by Smart Redd - 2008-06-20 10:06:52

Same thing happened to me. That one part wouldn't quite heal after all the rest of the scab was gone. I was told the dissolving stitches were whitish or yellowish, not black. The nurse had me come in and she cut the stitch out. Still can see the two 'pin holes" from the stitch.

Redd

stitch

by HelenB - 2008-06-21 02:06:23

thanks :)

I also have the two little "pin holes" from my main stitch, Redd. I wonder if those will go away.

I looked up dissolving stitches and it does sound like they are usually not black... so I wonder what this is! I'm going to drop by my GP's office and show the nurse on Monday just to be sure. Hopefully it will just come out on its own but I guess I should check.

Have a great weekend everyone!

had one, too

by tpod - 2008-06-21 11:06:22

but mine wasn't black -- it was a weird yellowy color that made me think the end of my incision was getting infected. heh. turns out, no.

but. it did eventually dissolve on one end, and then one day, when i brushed at it, the whole thing just fell out.

admittedly, it was a little bit gross, but whatever.

have the nurse have a look, and s/he'll do whatever needs done. :)

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