The stoma is not stitched. It closes by itself and healing goes from the inside out. If you haven't had the PEG for a long time, it could close up in a matter of days. People who have had it for a long time, like my husband (2 1/2 years), a mature channel may have formed in the stomach and the stoma may not close entirely. We are waiting for an appointment to go in and have an endoscopy so that the doctor can put a couple of clips in the stomach to make it close. The actual site on his tummy is now only 1 mm or so in size.

Like ChristineB said, my husband had to be taking all his nutrition by mouth for three mouths and his dietitian had to confirm this with the doctor before the tube was removed.