Post-op recovery...

How long does it actually take for the stitches to fall out after a circumcision? And what about after an appendectomy? Thanks in advance for any insight...

I believe the standard protocol is about four days for facial procedures, while you’re looking at five to seven days for other areas before the stitches need to come out—you know, when you head back to the doctor to have them snipped and pulled. I can't speak to phimosis specifically, but given how great the blood flow is in that area, it probably heals a bit faster.

If they're dissolvable, then everything really just depends on the specific type and where they were placed.
Bottom line: just ask your doctor.

stormybadger9 said:— how long after an appendectomy did they take the stitches out?

In my case, they pulled the sutures out after about six days.

Thanks, Taylor Howard36. I’m actually asking about the blind tube on behalf of a buddy. As for me, I had surgery for phimosis about 17 days ago, and the stitches still haven't dissolved... my doctor mentioned they should just fall out on their own, but I figured I'd ask...

Does anyone happen to know the name of that specific cream you apply after getting stitches removed to prevent scarring? I currently have some sutures on my neck, and frankly, I’d rather not have a permanent, glaring reminder of this whole ordeal staring back at me in the mirror...

Ugh... I'm still messing around with some Chloramphenicol ointment. Honestly, though, I have no clue if it actually does anything for scars...

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic, so you’re likely using it to prevent infection, though I would personally steer clear of it even in cream form... it's just too toxic. Some people even apply it to mucous membranes, like the conjunctiva, but I wouldn't risk it. As for the cream itself, you have to realize that medicine doesn't provide a specific antidote for every single issue to make everything perfect instantly. Healing is a complex process involving various factors, from growth factors to blood circulation... the only topical I can think of is D-Panthenol; it's a vitamin-based preparation that can aid epithelialization, much like a classic American staple like Aquaphor, if you will. Just a bit of marketing there, but you really can't avoid it 😁

I’ve been slathering my surgical scar with Contractubex.

It’s a tough call, but honestly, do you feel like Contratubex actually made any real difference?

I honestly think it actually worked for me. I had this nasty 8-inch scar with about 38 stitches in it. After a full year of using it, those little stitch marks aren't even visible anymore and the whole thing has faded out a ton.

slyhound5, how long were you applying Contratubex to the scar?

Just to circle back to my first question—does anyone actually know how many days it usually takes for the stitches to fall out after a circumcision? I’m at day 18 and they’re still hanging on for dear life... I'm honestly a little terrified they might just snap under pressure if they don't loosen up soon. 😁 😁 😁 😁

fadedpanther4 said:slyhound5, how long were you actually putting Contratubex on that scar?

I'm still using it, but I'm pretty sure you gotta stick with it for at least 3 to 6 months to see anything. I heard someone raving about this other cream, Medgel, so I might give that a shot too.

YankeeZul, my bad for bringing this up on OT 😉

slyhound5 said:I’m still applying it, though I think you really need to use it consistently for at least 3 to 6 months. I actually heard someone raving about another cream called Medgel the other day, so I might give that a shot instead.

Man, I only used it for a month.
Hmm... thanks for the heads-up. 😉

I had my circumcision surgery about four days ago and I'm wondering about something... there's this white discharge forming around the stitches near the tip of the glans. I guess I'm just worried if it's because the dissolvable stitches are breaking down, or if it's somehow a sign of an infection...

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, but if there is enough exudate to be squeezed out, it is less likely to be an issue with the suture itself. I don't have extensive experience working with absorbable sutures on the surface of the body, though I highly doubt they would be the culprit behind this discharge. You are essentially looking at a hypothetical scenario since I haven't seen it firsthand, so you really ought to consult with your doctor...

I never actually had that happen to me...

p.s. the stitches haven't even come out yet... still on day 19...😕

Just go see a doctor and have them take it off if they won't; otherwise, head to the ER... you might have to wait a bit, but it's for your own good 😁

John Green14, you definitely need to check in with your doctor to get some real answers.
At this point, it’s all just guesswork. 😉

Sam Hall15 said:Look, just go see a doctor and have them take it off if they won't... if they refuse, just head straight to the ER. You might end up sitting in a waiting room for a while, but hey, it’s for your own good... 😁

I was just there two days ago, and he goes, "They should drop off by tomorrow, or maybe the day after..." 😬 And so it begins... just a little bit longer now... 🙂 So, someone above mentioned some white thread popping up near the end... and yeah, I actually saw that too, but I just rinsed it out. But here’s the thing—it's not just on one side; it looks like the skin is peeling right at the very tip. I’m terrified to pull at it because I have zero clue if that's normal or if the stitches just popped because of, you know, an erection... Does anyone actually know a good cream to help these surgical wounds or stitches heal faster?