Stitch and Suture Removal in London

Where can I get my stitches removed?

You can get your stitches removed at Dr SOS in Chelsea, without going back to the hospital or clinic that placed them. Many patients come to us because their GP surgery has a long wait, their hospital will not see them for removal alone, or they were treated somewhere that is now inconvenient to return to. We remove sutures and staples placed anywhere, at home or overseas, and every appointment includes a wound check to confirm the stitches are ready to come out. If you have a fresh cut that still needs closing rather than removal, see our private stitches service.

When should stitches be removed?

The right time depends on where the wound is, because skin heals at different speeds in different areas and is under different amounts of tension. Standard removal intervals by body site are:

These are typical guides only. The instructions given by the clinician who treated you take precedence, and we will always check the wound has healed through before removing anything.

How much does stitch removal cost?

Stitch and suture removal at Dr SOS costs £95. That is the full price, and it includes assessment of the wound by an experienced clinician, removal of the sutures or staples, a fresh dressing where needed and advice on scar care. There is no referral fee and no extra charge because your stitches were placed elsewhere. See our full price list for our other services.

What happens at your appointment

Appointments take around 15 minutes. We start by examining the wound to confirm it has healed sufficiently for the stitches to come out safely. Each suture is then lifted, cut close to the knot and drawn out gently, or staples are removed with a staple remover. The area is cleaned, re-dressed if needed, and you leave with clear advice on looking after the scar over the coming weeks.

Had your surgery abroad?

A large number of our patients had their operation overseas and simply need the stitches or staples taken out once they are back in the UK. You do not need a referral and you do not need to contact your original surgeon. Bring the operation note or discharge summary if you have one, as it helps us check the intended timing, but come anyway if you do not. Where it would be useful, we will write to your GP or your surgeon with a brief note of the wound review.

What if the wound has not healed, or looks infected?

If the wound edges have not sealed, or there is increasing redness, swelling, pain or discharge, we will not remove the stitches that day. Instead we assess and treat the problem, which may include cleaning the wound, taking a swab and arranging a review, and the stitches come out once it is safe. If the wound needs more involved care, our infected wound treatment and wound care services cover ongoing dressings and follow-up.

Why you should not remove stitches yourself

Removing stitches at home is riskier than it looks. Only a proper examination can confirm the wound has healed through its full depth, because the surface can look closed while the deeper layers have not. Home removal also risks leaving suture fragments behind, reopening the wound or introducing infection, all of which worsen the final scar. A 15 minute appointment removes that risk entirely.

Stitch removal near Chelsea, Knightsbridge and South Kensington

Dr SOS is based at 25 Ives Street, Chelsea, a short walk from South Kensington and Knightsbridge stations and easy to reach from across central and west London. We are open Monday to Saturday with same-day appointments, so you can have your stitches removed on the day they are due rather than waiting weeks for a practice nurse slot.

Book same-day stitch removal

To book, call 020 3433 0999 or use our online booking form. Tell us when the stitches were placed and where on the body, and we will confirm the right day for removal.

Dr SOS is not an emergency department. If you have a life-threatening injury, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E.