Help with Suture Removal

Just had my first procedure done on Sept 18 in Charlotte, which is about 6 hours away. When it comes time to have my sutures removed, I'd rather not drive 6 hours one way to do so.

Is there anybody out there that could help with the suture removal? I live in the Hampton Roads area of VA, which is about 3 hours south of DC.

Gillenator: If you read this, I think I saw that you've removed sutures before? If you're willing to help, I'd much rather drive 3 hours instead of 6, unless there is somebody closer.

Is there anybody near me that could help?

Thanks so much.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Harry West

Just had my first procedure done on Sept 18 in Charlotte, which is about 6 hours away. When it comes time to have my sutures removed, I'd rather not drive 6 hours one way to do so.

Is there anybody out there that could help with the suture removal? I live in the Hampton Roads area of VA, which is about 3 hours south of DC.

Gillenator: If you read this, I think I saw that you've removed sutures before? If you're willing to help, I'd much rather drive 3 hours instead of 6, unless there is somebody closer.

Is there anybody near me that could help?

Thanks so much.

---

Hey Harry,

Congrats on your HT man. I'm sure it will kick ass!

Like you, I didn't travel back to my doctor's office for suture removal. What I did was go to www.iahrs.org and found an IAHRS doctor that was local to me (within driving distance). I was lucky to be able to find one. He was willing to help, too, but it just so happened that he and his office were not available on the day that I needed to remove my sutures. So, I then contacted a local dermatologist's office, and they were willing to help. I didn't even need to see the doctor -- just one of the techs. She was super cool about it and didn't even charge me a dime.

So, just some options for you, hope this helps, even though I know your post wasn't meant for me! :)

Take care man, heal well

TeeJay

Thanks for the ideas TeeJay. And my post was intended for anybody that could help, so that includes you.

I'll check into the dermatologist option since the closest IAHRS doc was in fact the doc I went to...6 hours away.

Thanks again.

I often have patients that do not live in Florida and need to have the sutures removed in the state or country they live in. I usually can find a collegue that will remove the sutures as a courtesy. I have done the same for many doctors over the years. If you call the clinic where you had the procedure done they should help you find a clinic that can help you. Also, most family physicians, nurses, or physician assistants can perform this procedure.

Great! Thanks, Dr. Charles. Do you have an idea of what kind of fee would I might incur if I had a local family physician, nurse, etc remove the sutures?

It should not be more than a hundred dollars. When I send a patient to see another doctor for suture removal I call the doctor first and tell them if there is any fee to bill my office. This usually deters the other doctor from charging for the suture removal. The entire procedure should not take more than 10 minutes. Good luck.