How Common is It for a Suture Line to Rupture After a Tummy Tuck vs Facelift? (graphic photo) Doctor Answers, Tips
Facelift: Q&A
Ask a Question

How Common is It for a Suture Line to Rupture After a Tummy Tuck vs Facelift? (graphic photo)

This is after a face lift. The "stitches" had been removed and I felt something sticking out above the stitchline and gave it a little tug. Needless to say, ALL the stitches had not been removed and what followed my tug would make anyone scared to do anything like this again. I have been told that a tummy tuck is not as difficult as a facelift. How common is it for suture lines to rupture or get infected?

Update: My facelift was almost one year ago and it did heal nicely for the amount that it ruptured. Just so you know, I was a part time (6 months of the year) smoker 27 yrs ago. I quit when I got pregnant with my first child. I am not diabetic but do have post polio syndrome and other issues. My question was due to concern about an up coming tummy tuck and the likely hood that it would also rupture. I talked to my surgeon today and feel confident that thing will be just fine. Thanks for all of the feedback. It gave me the impetus to go talk with my Doctor AGAIN just to make sure all is OK.

Tags:
rupture risk stitches sutures
Comment on this
10 Doctor Answers | Asked by JustMe42 in Charles City
+1

Suture Line Rupture vs Skin Necrosis

A suture line rupture in a healthy person can happen but this does not happen very often. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
+1

How Common is It for a Suture Line to Rupture After a Tummy Tuck vs Facelift?

This shows a skin necrosis of the face lift flap along it's most vunerable section just behind the ear. This can result from an extensive surgery and skin flap elevation, poor circulation or post op infection. Unless there's a medical history that includes decreased circulation, this is and could very well be an isolated issue with your Face Lift. It should, IMHO, at the very least make you much more cautious about your activiyty level the first month... more
+1

Post auricular disruption

This will heal over time inconspicuously. It appears you are or have been a smoker or have other issues with circulation.

You might also like...

Real Stories

FFS? There Are Better Choices - Manchester, GB

I had surgery with Brian Musgrove for the purpose ofFacial Feminisation. I am not very...

View 557 related stories

Before + After Photos

Facelift Facelift
View 2558 Facelift photos
+1

Post - Auricular Facelift Wound Necrosis

Hi, This is as a skin necrosis of the post-auricular incision most probably due to poor blood supply to the distal skin flap. This part of the facelift incision is under the most tension and is very susceptible to poor circulation. If you are a smoker or have any medical issues such as diabetes this can increase your risk for poor wound healing and necrosis. This will probably heal with good wound care over several weeks. I also think the cosmetic result will not be as bad as it... more
+1

Facelift suture line problem is not rupture.

Your problem is inadequate blood flow leading to incomplete healing and partial thickness skin loss in the narrow flap behind your ear. This can be a result of natrually poor circulation (such as in diabetics), or in vasoconstricted circulation (such as in smokers, nicotine users, or those exposed to second-hand smoke). Unfortunately, it can also occur in patients who have normal circulation and do not smoke or use nicotine--it's more rare, but can occur. I agree with my... more
+1

Agree with the other posters here. This is not a wound dehiscence.

This is classic skin necrosis after a facelift. It looks ugly today and it will heal with some scaring but it is remarkable how acceptable this type of area heals. I would recommend close follow up with your surgeon. Do not get discouraged. What happened here is what often happens when smokers, or former smokers have a facelift. This is also seen when diabetics have facelifts. For this reason, I generally will not perform facelifts on individuals who have... more
+1

SUTURE LINE RUPTURE

I agree with previous posts. There are a number of factors that increase your chance of this happening. Among the most common, and the ones where something could be done after the fact are: smoking, or tobacco use in any form (gum included), previous long term use of steroids. If any of these apply, stopping or decreasing its use would help. My Best,
+1

Wound healing issue

Judging by the photos I would say that the problem has to do with wound healing and blood supply rather than simply the stitches. To answer your question, it is not very common in any case for a sutured wound after any operation to open. Usually this is the end result of another primary problem. In your case you should follow up closely with you plastic surgeon. Thank you for the question and for the photo.
+1

Wound healing issues behind ear

The area of concern is most likely the result of poor healing from reduced blood supply. You should follow up with your surgeon.
+1

Rupture of a suture line after a facelift or tummy suck

The photos is not a rupture of the suture line. It is a result of loss skin from of blood supply deficit. This can happen, particularly in smokers, but it can happen in anyone. Excess tension on the flap can also cause this problem along with a hematoma (blood under the flap) or an infection. This patient should be place in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Antibiotics should be used along with topical muperocin (a very effective antibiotic ointment). When all is said and done, the... more
Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

Welcome Back

Sign in with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account? Create one now.

Join RealSelf

Join with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Please enter a valid email address
 Did you mean ?

By creating an account, you are indicating that you have read and accept the RealSelf Terms of Use.

Already a member? Sign In.

Retrieve your password

Enter your username or email address and we will send you a link to login.

Check your email

Check your email. We've sent you a link to reset your password.

Ok