Self-Injury Support Group

Whether you or someone you know or love struggles with self-injury, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, meet others going through the same, and get advice on how to stop. Working together, we can help find alternative coping skills to reduce the urge to self-harm.

3,568 Members

20,524 Posts

0 Online

FairyPirate 09/08/2011

I have never had stitches before out of fear of how much money it might cost. From experience, how much would it cost if i had to get, oh lets say 10 stitches? Or 3-4 inches long? Maybe a push pin depth?

Im worried that i might break down soon and scrape my skin open out of anger and frustration. But ive read it can cost thousands of dollars, for the stitches, and then the tools and then the USE of them, is that right? Or are they off?

deleted_user 09/08/2011

while i don't know what a hospital would charge, i can tell you that depending on the stitch, they can be rather cheap. the lidocaine to numb you isn't very expensive and then all that's left is the small hooked needle and the thread that the stitch is made up of, and the gauze. personally, i wouldn't charge more than $50 to do stitches, but again, i'm not a hospital, merely a medic

deleted_user 09/08/2011

If you don't have health insurance and you live in America, get ready to be hit with a bill that's nearly a thousand dollars if not more. I got bit by a dog. They didn't even stitch me up, but used glue to close some wounds, and I received a bill for 800 + dollars or so. The doctor saw me for probably a minute or less. It's sad but true. In another incident, cut myself badly and needed stiches, but I didn't show up till late the next day. By then the wound had dried out and there was nothing they could do. It healed up, but it left a pretty ugly scar. If I had a friend who was a medic, I would go to him first. For me, it's either that or duct tape.
By the way, if I go to the ER I always tell them that I'm unemployed (which I am), and I shouldn't be billed. When I went there for the dog bite, I told them I was unemployed and they billed me, and finally sent the bill to collections. When collections first contacted me, I told them I had no intention of paying the bill because I'm unemployed and I would go to court to contest it. I haven't heard from them again, and it has been over a month. Theoretically, the hospital can claim it against SSI or something if you tell them you can't pay, and they will stay off your back. Something to think about.
FINALLY . . . if you have issues with cutting, please don't hesitate to hit me up. I've been there before, and I understand where you are coming from! Best wishes. (hugs)

Annabell1217 09/10/2011

I had a cut about twice the depth of a push pin :P I'm not sure how much the stitches cost but I've had cuts that deep before that I never got stitched up and they left pretty nasty scars... I think your best bet is just to go to a doctor and ask them what they think.. But if your would is already dried up (like joshanonymous said) there isnt much the doctors can do :/

deleted_user 09/24/2011

it sucks that you have to pay for stitches! I live in australia and have had up to 100 stitches free. and its free everytime .that totally sucks that its so expensive!

Join the Conversation