Facelift: Q&A

Ask a Question

When Should Facelift Sutures Be Removed?

How Many Days Post Op from a Facelift Should Sutures in Front of Ears Be Removed, for the best possible chance of limited scarring? Thank you

Tags:
44 Doctor Answers | Asked by BrookeinCO in Colorado
+2

Suture removal following face lift

Hello and thank you for the question. Pre-auricular sutures or those in front of the ears, are generally removed at 5-6 days following your procedure. Your surgeon will make the determination as to when the sutures should be removed based on the suture type, the method of closure, and how your healing is progressing. Best of luck, Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S. 
+2

Suture Removalf after Face Lift or Necklift

We like to remove the potentially visible sutures 6 days after facelifting. I do not think that 1 day plus or minus will make a dramatic difference. Appropriate incision placement and careful incision suturing is of superior importance. Personally, I believe that the suture material chosen will have an impact on the final scarline, too.
+2

Suture Removal After Facelift

I generally remove preauricular (in front of ear) sutures 4-6 days after surgery.   We being scar massage therapy 2-3 weeks later.

You might also like...

Real Stories

Dream Team! - Seattle, WA

At 61, I was through looking as tired as my job makes me feel so I opted for a deep plane...

Before + After Photos

View 2631 Facelift photos
+2

Suture Removal on Facelift

I typically remove my skin sutures at 4-5 days after surgery.   Depending on a patients skin characteristics and wound healing capabilities, I may wait until a week if it is in the best interest of the patient.   I do place several deep dissolvable sutures to take tension off the skin closure.   I find that this significantly reduces scar widening due to tension and allows me to remove the skin level sutures early enough to minimize the railroad track appearance. I wish... more
+2

Face lift Suture removal

Dear BrookeinCO, In general, the timing of suture (stitch) removal is a balance between allowing the skin to heal sufficiently, but not allowing the sutures to make a (potentially) permanent mark on the skin. Face lift sutures that are visible may only be the 'top layer' of stitching. That means there are deeper, dissolving stitches that also help to hold the closure together. If this is the case, the visible stitches could be removed in early as 3 - 5 days. If there are no deep... more
+2

Five to seven days is optimal.

Dear Brookien I personally use a combination of running and interrupted sutures in front of the ears where things are very visible.  That way I can remove most of the running suture on the 4th day and take out the interrupted surgery a couple of days later.  This works very well in my hands.  But here is the thing.  Things work differently for different surgeons.  Certainly I would personally be concerned if the bulk of the these sutures are not out be day 7.... more
+2

Sutures after facelift

Sutures after a facelift are removed between 5-7 days. There are many more absorbable sutures beneath the skin which do most of the hard work and dissolve over time.
+2

Facelift suture removal

In this age sutures in front of the ear are less common.  Now with buried sutures and tissue glue there are very few sutures to remove.  I typically remove the limited skin sutures out in one week. All the best, Tal Raine MD FACS
+2

Suture Removal Timing for Best Results

The timing for suture removal after Facelift is important to set up the incision line for minimal scar: too soon and incision may separate and the scar may spread.  If we leave the sutures in too long, there can be marks from the sutures or foreign body irritation that leads to scar thickening. Most Facelift surgeons will use a low reactive suture material (polypropylene or nylon) of relatively delicate caliber in front of the ear and then remove the sutures at 5-7 days... more
+2

Suture Removal After Facelift

Hi BrookeinCO- It depends on the type of suture used to close the skin. Generally speaking 5-7 days. Sincerely, Tom Kaniff
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

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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