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I Had a Face Lift Six Weeks Ago and Staples Were Left in My Face? (photo)

I had a face lift and had both sutures and staples removed before leaving on vacation. I discovered they had left in 13 staples when one of them fell out in my hand. It will be six weeks tomorrow when I go for my visit. (they are in the front right above the ear, six on each side.) I did call the doctor's office to see if they meant to leave them in. They said no, they shouldn't be there. They come out tomorrow and are really tender. Is it normal for staples to be missed like that?

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mistake removal staples

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by whaleyf in florida

Doctor Answers (11)
Community Comments (2)

Staples Left after Facelift

The staples can usually be removed in 1 or 2 weeks. They can still be removed later, likely without causing adverse event. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Staples left in skin

After that length of time the staples will be buried. Everything should heal fine but a miss of 13 staples would be surprising.

Staples post lift

They soemtimes can be buried under the skin but to have 13 is a bit much.You should do well though.

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Scalp Skin Staples/Clips usually removed in first 7-14 days

I think your doctor answered your question that they were not meant to be in so long. Fortunately, the skin clips were left within your hair bearing tissue so that there should not be any significant consequence. This is an unusual occurrence.

Staples left in after surgery

Unfortunately, you had staples left in for longer than usual. However, they should be able to be removed without any consequence.

Todd C. Case, MD

14 reviews

Tucson Plastic Surgeon

Staples after Facelift

We normally use sutures and tissue glue for our Facelifts and all sutures are removed by day 7. We don't like to use staples as sutures provide a more precise closure and a better looking scar. In your case, the staples simply need to be removed, and they don't appear to have caused any problems.

That is unfortunate but they seem very well tolerated.

Staples are designed to elicit minimal tissue reaction. Ideally they are removed at 7 to 10 days. Please have your surgeon remove all the staples. It would be interesting to know how these were left in so long. However, as others have pointed out this is unlikely to any consequences. Staples are generally used in very inconspicuous area on the scalp which may be why the are still there. Next time you notice something that does not seem right, don't wait,... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

9 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Are these Staples supposed to be left in?

Most sutures with a facelift are removed around 1 week post-op. Unfortunately these seem to be forgotten, they do not look to be in an area that scarring will be an issue, they should not cause any long term difference in your result.

Staple Removal After Facelift

Staples are typically removed between 7 and 10 days after a Facelift. The situation described is likely to have been an oversight, but really shouldn't have any significant aesthetic consequences.

Staples are typically removed at one week but can be occasionally missed. You should heal just fine though.

Staples are typically removed at one week but can be occasionally missed. It is highly likely that you will heal very nicely. It is unlikely that the missed staples will cause any longterm issues for you. Stephen Weber, M.D. Lone Tree Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center

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Comments (2)

whaleyf
11 months ago

They did come out with no problems. In fact the ones on the right fell out as they went to remove them. Ones on the left had scabbed over so hurt a little but no more than when it did when they took some out at two weeks post op. There was a total of 20 they left in. That's a lot and my doctor was sorry they missed them. The face lift looks great and I'd use him again but I sure would be counting the staples they take out the next time.

whaleyf
11 months ago

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