The physiologic rationale for delayed staple removal is unclear. Wound healing involves four main stages including hemostasis, inflammation, granulation, and remodeling. Each phase can be further broken down into overlapping steps. Reapproximation of the skin edges with staples enables epithelialization, resulting in wound closure by a thin layer of cells by 48 hours post-operatively. Although overall wound healing appears to be delayed in the setting of obesity, whether the specific process of epithelialization is affected is unknown. Therefore, there may not be a physiologic basis for delaying staple removal in obese women.