As many as it takes to do the job well!

Most of the sutures are beneath the skin, and it will vary depending on what needs to be accomplished, and the condition of the tissues.  What is important is communication between the patient and the doctor so that expectations are realistic, and the results are what the patient wants.

When most patients ask how many stitches will be used, they are referring to sutures on the skin surface that need to be removed. Aside from skin sutures, there are many "deep" sutures that are not removed (which are either permanent, or dissolve with time after their temporary purpose has been achieved). There are several confounding issues with this question:

1. On the skin surface, sutures can be "Simple" (a loop tied to itself), or "Running" (an over-and-over stitch such as used on a baseball). Running sutures can have several loops removed at one time, but for simplicity sake, I would count each loop as a stitch.
2. Some skin sutures do not need to be removed. In locations where the scar is not visible and/or suture removal would be painful (in the hair, or directly behind the ear), absorbable skin sutures work very well.
3. Instead of sutures, it is perfectly acceptable to use staples in low visibility areas (inside the hair). Staples do not cause an inflammatory reaction (as do dissolving sutures) and will leave a good scar. They are much easier than traditional non-absorbable sutures to remove from within the hair. (Hairs tend to get caught in suture knots, and can get pulled out when traditional sutures are removed.)

With all that in mind, to really answer the question you have to know what type of facelift is being used. Scar length varies depending if a "short scar" or traditional technique is utilized. (Don't try to choose the technique based on the number of sutures! Choose the one that will give you the result you are looking for.)

To try to give you a straight answer:

• In front the ear: 15-25 non-absorbable
• Inside the sideburn: 5-10 absorbable or staples
• Behind the ear - none with some short scar techniques to 10-40 (mixed absorbable, non-absorbable, and staples) with more traditional techniques (which have a greater impact on improving the neck)
• Under the chin - 0-10 non-absorbable - depending on what was done. (Nothing, liposuction, or open platysmaplasty)

All of these numbers are for only one side of the face, so double everything. I hope this helps!

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The number of stitches is not as important as the placement of the stitches and the incisions. In general, facelift incisions are rather long and require many stitches to close. There are additional stitches places under the skin to elevate the deeper tissues and hold the skin in place while it heals. There is no correct or average number of sutures. A qualified and experienced facial plastic or plastic surgeon will use enough sutures to give you the best result possible.

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