Removing Your Own Stitches or Drains at Home: What It’s Really Like
Your surgeon is hours away, or across the country. At your last check-in, they said, "You can take that out yourself when it's time." Now that day is here, you're staring at a stitch poking out of your incision, or a drain tube coming out of your side, and your stomach is doing flips.
Oye, mamita. Respira: breathe. I've been there, and I'll walk you through it.
Removing your own stitches or drains: the quick answer
Removing your own stitches or drains is something you should only do if your surgeon has told you to, and only by following their steps. When that's the case, it's usually not a big deal. Prepare your supplies, go slowly, bring a buddy, and know when to stop and get help.
If your surgeon hasn't told you to do this, don't. Call their office, or go to urgent care or a wound care clinic.
Why this happens so often
A lot of women travel for plastic surgery, and coming back for a follow-up isn't realistic. So some surgeons send them home with instructions to handle it themselves. I see this a lot with women who went home with JP drains (the ones with the squeeze bulb at the end).
Lingering stitches
Most stitches after plastic surgery are dissolvable. But sometimes they don't fully dissolve. Weeks later, you might notice:
A little knot or tail of stitch at the end of your incision
A stitch poking through the skin
A small, irritated spot where a stitch is trying to work its way out
I've had to remove one of my own stitches after a procedure, and honestly, it was no big deal.
What helps (if your surgeon has OK'd it): - Sterilized small sewing scissors. They have the tiniest tips. - Sterilized tweezers - Clean hands and good light - Go slowly, and stop if it bleeds or hurts
Clean your tools with rubbing alcohol, or however your surgeon tells you to.
Pulling a JP drain
Follow your surgeon's steps exactly, including what to do with any stitch holding the drain in place. Here's what it's honestly like:
Go slowly. You'll feel some resistance at first, because new scar tissue has formed around the tube. It's almost like your body built its own little London Underground "tube" around it.
You might feel a "ring of fire." The part of the tube inside you is often slightly thinner than the part that comes out to the bulb, so there can be a sting as it passes through. Sometimes there isn't.
Once it wiggles free, it slides out easily. It's slippery and flops right out.
It can be a little messy. That's normal.
Poco a poco, little by little. Don't yank it.
Before you start
Gauze, a towel, and a fresh dressing ready to go
Something to protect your bed, couch, or bathroom floor
Rubbing alcohol or wipes for your tools
A trash bag right next to you
A snack and water. Some people feel woozy.
A buddy. I had a friend get nauseous halfway through pulling her drain and need a pal to help her finish. She was totally fine, but it's so much better not to be alone.
Here's your chisme for today: sit or lie down before you start, not standing at the bathroom mirror. If you feel faint, you're already safe.
After it's out
Cover the spot with a clean dressing.
A drain site may leak a little for a day or two. That's usually normal. Chux pads help.
Keep it clean and dry, and follow your surgeon's instructions for showering.
When to stop and get help
Ojo, watch out: stop and call your surgeon, or go to urgent care, if:
The drain won't come out with gentle, steady pressure
The tube breaks or a piece seems to be left inside
You have a lot of bleeding or bad pain
The site becomes red, hot, swollen, or drains something that smells bad or looks cloudy
You get a fever or chills
A soft, sloshy pocket of fluid forms afterward
If it feels like an emergency, call 911.
Want the full game plan?
My book walks you through recovery week by week, including how to plan for drains and stitches before you ever travel for surgery.
If you're in Sacramento and recovering from surgery, I'd love to help.
Not local? Reach out to me for a private consult over Zoom (small fee).
I'm a Certified Massage Therapist (CAMTC No. 39170), not a doctor. This post shares personal experience and is for education, not medical advice. Only remove stitches or drains if your surgeon has instructed you to, and follow their directions.
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