(That was sarcasm for those of you who were about to tell me why 'Subeta is not the proper forum for such matters.')

Anyways, I had a biopsy done on a bump on my ear today and got two stitches because of it - my first stitches ever, in fact. But I'm going on vacation on Monday and I'm wondering if it's okay to swim in a chlorinated pool with the stitches? Is swimming in lakes okay? Both are a possibility on the trip and to me a vacation is not a vacation unless there's swimming involved, lol. I'm also wondering if it's okay to sleep on the side that the stitches are on? Because they're on the ear that's on the side I sleep on and I have trouble sleeping any other way. The ear has a bandaid on it that I'm supposed to keep on overnight. I'm also wondering, the stitches are supposed to come out in five days. The doc said it was something I could do on my own or come back and have them do it for free. Thing is, I don't want to drive 40 miles each way again just to have two stitches removed. Has anyone here ever taken their own stitches out before? Anything I should know? They gave me an after care sheet, but none of this info was on it and I didn't think to ask at the time.

I was also wondering about chiropractors. I just found out that my insurance would cover 20 visits a year to a chiropractor and I'm thinking it's something that might help me in a lot of areas. I have a multitude of problems: depression, multiple kinds of anxiety, misophonia, difficulty losing weight, sleep problems...and I've heard adjustments can help in those areas. Any of you see a chiropractor? Recommend it or not? I have a friend whose stepmom used to make her and her brother go and they hated it...but that could totally have been because said stepmom was the super-bitch from hell.

I don't think you're supposed to swim with stitches, because until the wound is completely healed and the stitches come out, that wound is like... open. So any bacteria in the water can just seep directly into your body. I was in a bad car accident when I was 8 years old and had dozens of stitches in my knee for most of the summer, and I remember not being allowed to swim all summer long. And I just did a quick Google search and most every link I found said no, don't do it. Not until after the stitches come out.

As for removing your own stitches, I've done that myself several times. It's pretty easy, you just clip them and pull them out, but you have to be sure to sterilize the tweezers and clippers really, really well. And since your stitches are on your ear, you probably won't be able to get that angle yourself. Your best bet is to again, Google it, to see the proper procedure :D

I don't think that you're supposed to swim with stitches at all, because of bacteria. I've also removed my own stitches before, because it beats going back to the doctor and paying for another office visit, lol. You just need scissors and a pair of tweezers. I normally sterilize mine in rubbing alcohol or peroxide. If you're having trouble with the angle, since its your ear, you could always ask someone to help you. That might actually be easier, if you have a friend or family member that could help.

I personally wouldn't recommend a chiropractor for anyone ever. I know a lot of people that go and seem to like it, but it kind of seems like a placebo thing for me. I interviewed to work in a chiropractic office a few months ago, and while I was waiting in their waiting room, they had this video playing about all of the stuff that chiropractors are supposed to be able to do for you, like help you lose weight, and help with overall health. I think it seems kind of unrealistic. I've also heard a lot about chiropractors doing more harm than good for your back and other joints.