How do you know when stitches are ready to come out?

Circumcision how do I know if stitches ready to come out?

• I'm on my tenth day & my glands are still swollen where stitches are at but my stitches starting to lift all around but still tight in, what am I suppose to do? Will they get any ...show more

• Answer:

  The stitches will have done their job in about 10 days so it is best to have them removed 10-12 days after the circumcision. Though described as 'soluble' they do not dissolve in water by are 'consumed' by enzymes brought to the site by your lymph system. Unfortunately, there are often far too few enzymes brought to the surface where the stitches are and so they do not dissolve as quickly as is desirable. For this reason it is best to get them manually removed. You can go to your doctor's surgery and get him or the nurse to remove them for you. Alternatively you can do it yourself (or get a friend to do it for you). In this case remove only alternate ones at first to ensure the wound is sealed. If ok then remove the rest. See http://www.circinfo.com/prepandcare/pac.... for more on after-care including how to remove your own stitches.