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Staples, stitches and glue, oh my!



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I really, really hated the staples that I had during my lap band surgery. I had little spots of inflammation at each point where the metal touched the skin. I think I might actually have a slight allergy to metal (or at least some kinds of metals), because I get a reaction when I wear certain rings.

So, I was disappointed to learn from a nurse at my ps's office that he plans to use some staples on my incisions (she said that they would only be used at "high tension" areas for the lower body lift and medial thigh lift).

Is that a fairly standard procedure? Or should I request sutures only? What method(s) of reconnecting tissues/skin did your surgeon use?

Tami

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I would trust the surgeon. If he is only using it at places of high tension... I am sure he has good reason for that.

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery. You must be so excited!

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Mine doesnt use them, I would ask him what his reasoning is hon, if you arent happy about it then you need to talk to him.

I am having dissolvable stitches on the outside and he uses thick nylon internally where all of the tension is taken.I am having a high lateral tension TT, but all the tension is taken on the inside to take the pressure of the skin.

Ask him what his reason is and if it makes sense to you then you will be happy.

Nina x

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Thanks, LA & Nina. I'll at least talk to him about it. I'd rather have itchy staples and "railroad" track scars than to have the incisions pull open, but on the other hand, I don't want him using staples as a convenience (because they are quicker/easier than sutures). If *that's* the case, hey, I'm paying enough money for you to embroider the darn incisions if necessary, :cursing:

Tami

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Good on ya girl, if I am being honest I cannot see what he is doing that is so different that he has to use staples, if my PS can use dissolvables why can't he.

Grill him hon.

I have got a download of one of my ps's articles that focuses a lot on the stitching if you want to swot up before you see him, it helped me understand what they do, I know , I know, I am a control freak........

Nina x

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Thanks, LA & Nina. I'll at least talk to him about it. I'd rather have itchy staples and "railroad" track scars than to have the incisions pull open, but on the other hand, I don't want him using staples as a convenience (because they are quicker/easier than sutures). If *that's* the case, hey, I'm paying enough money for you to embroider the darn incisions if necessary, :wink2:

Tami

Tami-

My plastic surgeon used skin glue on the outside, no sutures for me. He said that he wouldn't know if he could use skin glue or sutures until he got into surgery and saw the quality of my skin, that may be the case with your surgeon, but I would ask. Good Luck with your surgery.

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