Hymenoplasty
Day 12 after hymenoplasty: the stitches and the feeling of tightness
Day 12 · permanent hymenoplasty, flap technique
On day twelve, patients' questions are mostly about the stitches: are they still there, when will they go, is the pulling I feel from them? The short answer is this: based on the average duration, the stitches are still in place today, and this is expected.
Below you will find how long the stitches stay on the tissue, information on the feelings of tightness and pricking, and why you should not touch the stitches.
How long do the stitches stay?
The stitches stay on the tissue for 25–35 days on average. Day twelve has not yet reached half of this period, so it is usual for the stitches to be in place today.
This figure is an average. Your doctor assesses how the process is going for you at the follow-up examination.
That is why it is not surprising if you notice or feel the stitches.
Tightness and a pricking sensation
A feeling of tightness in the area is considered normal. The pricking sensation belongs more to the first days and is felt especially when the area is oedematous, that is, swollen.
The curve on this page illustrates the direction in which these sensations decrease over the first twenty days; it is not a personal measurement. If your pricking sensation continues today and it worries you, tell your doctor.
Do not try to test the feeling of tightness by feeling the stitches or the tissue.
Not touching the stitches
You may want to feel or see the end of a stitch. However, stretching the area, pulling a stitch or feeling to see whether it is in place creates a risk of harming yourself. Leave the stitches as they are.
Opening the area in front of a mirror out of curiosity is not recommended for the same reason. Checking the stitches is the doctor's job.
If a piece of stitch falls out
If you see a small piece of stitch on your pad or underwear, this page cannot judge whether that is usual; your doctor will tell you specifically. Call the clinic and describe what you saw and which day you are on.
In such a situation, do not try to reach a conclusion on your own.
Do today
- Leave the stitches as they are.
- Keep the changes in your sensations in mind to describe at the check-up.
- If you see a piece of stitch that has come out, tell the clinic.
Avoid today
- Do not pull or cut the end of a stitch.
- Do not feel with your finger to see whether the stitches are in place.
- Do not part the tissue to see the area.
Call us if
- If there is a discharge that smells different, is yellow or cannot be identified, and it does not stop, come in for a check-up.
- If you are unsure about something you see or feel concerning the stitches, ask by phone.
Frequently asked questions
How long do hymenoplasty stitches stay?
The stitches stay on the tissue for 25–35 days on average. This is an average; it can vary from person to person. The stitches being in place on day twelve is consistent with this period. You do not need to check the stitches yourself; your doctor looks at them at the follow-up examination.
Is a feeling of tightness and pulling normal after the procedure?
A feeling of tightness in the area is normal. In the first days, especially while there is swelling, pricking sensations may also occur. You do not need to do anything to the area because of these sensations. Whether you may use a painkiller is not something this page can answer; your doctor will tell you specifically.
A stitch fell out; what should I do?
Your doctor assesses whether a piece of stitch falling out is usual; we cannot write a general rule about it. Do not fiddle with the piece or the area. Call the clinic and say which day you are on and what you saw. If there is also a persistent discharge that smells different, is yellow or that you cannot identify, mention that too.
This page is for general information only; it does not replace an examination or your doctor's advice. Some patients may need additional restrictions. The durations and rules your doctor gives you always take priority over those on this page.
References
- A new surgical technique of hymenoplasty. Wei SY, et al. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 2015.
- Hymenoplasty and Muslim Patients: Islamic Ethico-Legal Perspectives. Bawany MH, et al. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2017.
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Şükrü Sanus, Obstetrician & Gynecologist · Last medical review: