Post op stitch pulling/tearing?

blairmundy

At my 2-week follow up I felt great and couldn't wait to get back into things. A few days after that I got a searing pain in the muscle of my abdomen near the biggest incision. Skin is fine, everything going according to plan as far as stomach and digestion, just this muscle issue (it feels exactly like a muscle tear). I called the Dr. and he said I likely pulled or ripped the stitches that are inside, keeping my muscles together while they heal. They said to give it another few weeks to heal. It's been another few weeks. It has gotten a lot better but I seem to stall out in a place where it isn't actually healed. I can feel it pull when I breathe out deeply, when I sneeze or cough standing up (but not sitting down), try to lay on my right side, etc.

If you are a healthcare worker, tell me something... are these stitches likely dissolveable? I wouldn't think they'd put permanent stitches inside like that but... what do I know? If they are dissolveable, how long would they likely be around before dissolving?

Did anyone else pull their inner stitches? How long did it take to FULLY heal? I really want to do some more intense workouts than just walking.

ac7nj

blairmundy wrote: »

At my 2-week follow up I felt great and couldn't wait to get back into things. A few days after that I got a searing pain in the muscle of my abdomen near the biggest incision. Skin is fine, everything going according to plan as far as stomach and digestion, just this muscle issue (it feels exactly like a muscle tear). I called the Dr. and he said I likely pulled or ripped the stitches that are inside, keeping my muscles together while they heal. They said to give it another few weeks to heal. It's been another few weeks. It has gotten a lot better but I seem to stall out in a place where it isn't actually healed. I can feel it pull when I breathe out deeply, when I sneeze or cough standing up (but not sitting down), try to lay on my right side, etc.

If you are a healthcare worker, tell me something... are these stitches likely dissolveable? I wouldn't think they'd put permanent stitches inside like that but... what do I know? If they are dissolveable, how long would they likely be around before dissolving?

Did anyone else pull their inner stitches? How long did it take to FULLY heal? I really want to do some more intense workouts than just walking.

First the stitches will dissolve in time, your body will heal with or without them. Torn stitches heal a slight bit slower. At your two week follow up you were healed enough for exercise. The rules are if it hurts don't do that, we just need to listen to our bodies. itching and pulling sensations are normal.

Randy (registered nurse)

blairmundy

Thanks

Randy! It is feeling better as of yesterday. I can still feel it lightly pulling when I stretch (like when I put my arms up and slowly try to touch the door jamb). I'm taking this to mean that I am healing quickly enough but am maybe not totally healed so to still be careful. Now that the pain is gone I mostly just want to make sure I am getting good exercise to my full potential but not risking another re-injury. I also have a 30lb toddler, so my methods to not lift him have become... interesting!

3 days ago a sneeze would have had me doubled over in pain. Today's sneeze - not even a twinge. Weird.

ac7nj

Toddlers don't understand why, be creative hold them and then stand up carieing the weight but not lifting it. The difference is the pressures in your thoracic cavity.

Randy (registered nurse)

blairmundy

He'll do most of the walking, which is great. But getting him in/out of the car and high chair when my husband isn't around was the hard part. I had been just really working to make sure as much of the lifting as possible came from my knees and my arms. Or having him walk up the stairs a few steps and then carrying him over to the high chair. Worked well, but it was confusing and now he goes and sits on the stairs when he is hungry. Ha! But so far all is still good and I even slept on my right side with no issues for the first time in weeks. Woo!