Facelift: Q&A
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How Many Stitches Does a Facelift Require?
How many stitches are there in an average facelift? What's considered a normal amount?
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31 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
charlotamed
in austin tx
+4
After a comprehensive full face/neck lift, 40-50...
After a comprehensive full face/neck lift, 40-50 stitches are used to meticulously close the incision site at the hairline, in front and behind the ears. These stitches are removed at the fourth day after the surgery to avoid railroad track scars along the incision line.
The incisions themselves are not closed under any tension because the tension is placed on the muscle layer and the SMAS layer underneath. So the skin is pulled together very gingerly, which prevents the wind-tunneled or...
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+3
It really depends on the type of facelift that you do
It really depends on the type of facelift you do. When you do a traditional facelift with an incision that goes in front of the ear and extends all the way to the back of the ear and down the hairline, you will receive 20-30 stiches or more. If the lift you do is a minimal one and your incision only is located in front of the ear you may receive 10-15.
In general, you should expect 1-3 stiches for each cm of incision that you receive. Sometimes doing too many can create scarring and...
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+3
The number of stitches for a facelift is irrelevant.
If someone is trying to sell you a facelift based on the number of stitches, I would recommend going to someone else. The number of stitches used during a facelift is individualized for each patient and judging a facelift by the number of stitches is irrelevant. Facelift surgery is very complex. It is more how you put the stitches and where you put the stitches than how many you use.
I hope this is helpful.
David Shafer, MD
Shafer Plastic Surgery
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+3
Number of stitches in a facelift
The number of suture or stitches depends on the length of the incision. The length of the incision is based on not only the type of facelift that is being performed but also the individual's particular anatomy.
The short-scar facelifts require much smaller incisions and therefore fewer stitches. On the other hand, a full face and neck lift, will require longer incisions and therefore more sutures.
Typically, the exact number of sutures are variable based on each surgeon's closing techniques...
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+3
Stitches - Just enough, but not too many.
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:
On the skin surface, sutures can be "Simple" (a loop tied to itself), or "Running" (an...
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+2
Counting facelift stitches is meaningless
As a Plastic Surgeon, I wish I had a dollar for each time I was asked how many stitches I put in a particular procedure.
I assure you and all other readers that no plastic surgeon actually counts his/her sutures. We put in as many stitches as we think, in our judgment, are required.
The REASON why stitches are even used is to keep tissues where we want them to remain while the body's healing system glues things together with scar tissue.
Stitches will not hold a wound together if it is...
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+2
Number of stitches to achieve result
The number of sutures placed is not a critical factor in achieving a good result. A good result is dependent on the surgeon's skill and judgment in how much excess skin to resect, the proper vector in pulling the skin and SMAS, and meticulous closure of the wound.
Attention to detail in closure is more important than the actual number of sutures placed.
+2
A Facelift will take as many stitches as needed
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.
+2
The Right Amount
It may sound counter intuitive, but Facial Plastic Surgeons don't generally count stitches. We put in as many as are required to meticulously close the incision without tension and to carefully approximate wound edges. My answer: I put in the right amount.
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The number of sutures used in a facelift does not affect the result
The number of sutures used in a facelift does not affect the result. I always tell my patients when they ask me how many sutures were used for a particular procedure, I give them the same response and that is as many as necessary to close the wound or the incision. What is most important to consider is the type of sutures used, permanent or dissolvable and whether or not the skin edges are nicely approximated. Wound care is important regardless of the number of sutures used and better wound...
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+2
Number of stitches in a facelift
Most plastic surgeons don't count the number of sutures because number itself is relatively meaningless to us.
What can be important are things like, which layers do you place sutures in. For facelifts "plicating the SMAS" is an important concept for a lasting result.
For the patient things like do you use permanent sutures or staples that will need to be removed and what's the timing for removal tend to be more useful.
The number will also vary from patient to patient...
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+2
As many stitches as it takes
The number of sutures placed in any procedure is not important. What is important is that the appropriate number of sutures are placed in the right place, using appropiate techniques to achieve the desired result.
+1
How many stitches are used in a facelift?
Thanks for the question! The answer depends on what technique is used, and how you count the stitches. Generally speaking, around 30 sutures are used when I do a facelift.
+1
Facelift Stitches Varies
Every patient is unique - therefore, the number of stitches used during a facelift will vary depending on the patient and on your surgeon. Of the stitches used there will be some that are deep dissolvable sutures underneath the skin and some will be on the surface for the surgeon to remove post-procedure. The number of stitches is not as important as the surgeon you choose. A board certified plastic surgeon who has had a lot of experience with facelift procedures is the primary...
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Stitches for Face Lift
The amount of stitches someone will need can depend on the type of facelift and the particular client. Every client is different and therefore will have different needs. As for counting the amount of stitches, this is not as important as doing the job correctly. However, if it is important to you please discuss this with your surgeon at your initial consultation. They can also tell you where you should expect them. “Dr. D”
Fayetteville Facial Plastic Surgeon
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How Many Stitches in a Facelift?
Dear charlotamed,
It really depends on how the suturing is done, and whether you count internal sutures as well as external ones. In a facelift where the SMAS is elevated as a flap or plicated, there will be many internal sutures - usually around 10-20 per side.
As for the skin, there are usually several running baseball-type sutures placed which if placed as single sutures would probably amount to anywhere between 60-100 sutures, especially if your surgeon uses very...
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Number of stitches in facelift
The number of stitches in a facelift is not as important as the location of the stitches. Irrespective of the number of sutures is that fact that well placed sutures, reduce tension on the overlying skin and when removed early, reduce the chance that the stitches create lasting scars.
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1
Incisions and Suturing in a Facelift
Most sutures in a facelift are deep and there are numerous skin sutures. The main concern and most important thing is how well the sutures are placed in the SMAS and how well they close the skin without tension.
+1
How many stitches are required for a facelift?
I would try not to focus on the amount of sutures. The amount of sutures will vary from surgeon to surgeon. The important focus is the incision sites and length. Every surgeon has his/her own technique. Look at their before and after galleries to gain perspective on the results.
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1
Number of stitches during facelift
I agree with other authors on this post that the number of stitches is truly irrelevant. When we use smaller suture material, we have a tendency putting more sutures. When the larger suture material is used, usually we do not use as may stitches. The main thing to remember is to place as many sutures as necessary in order to bring the tissues as close together as possible for better healing and less scarring.
Sincerely,
Boris Volshteyn M.D., M.S....
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Stitches in Facelift
Patients frequently want to know how many stitches are required to close an incision or in this case a facelift incision. In terms of the incision, the key here is not the number of sutures but how meticulous the surgeon is in closing the incision.
In regards to the deeper sutures, it is not just the number of sutures but how and where they are placed, as well as many other factors. We recently published a study comparing location of suture placement to help add...
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Stitches after a Facelift for minimal scar
The best answer for this question is -- as many as are necessary.
The stitch count is not important as much as the tecnique used to close the skin and the amount of tension placed on the skin. An experienced facelift surgeon will be able to close the incisions in such a way that the scar is faint and barely visible. It is important to follow thewound care instructions that your doctor gives you in order to allow for the best possible healing.
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Number of stitches not important in outcome of Face Lift
The number of stitches used is different in every patient depending upon the quality of the skin. More or less than is required to create a meticulous closure is not good. Too many stitches causes scarring as does too few to keep the edges closer together. More important to a good result is making sure the SMAS or muscles of the face are tightened appropriately in the proper vector and that the skin is trimmed and sutured without tension so there is not a pulled look.
+1
Number of Face Lift Stitches
This is a very common question, however it's not very critical for plastic surgery face lift results.
The plastic surgeon performing your face lift will place the appropriate number of stitches. There isn't a magical number. The longer or bigger the incision, then the more stitches. Plastic surgeons generally don't count the number of stitches, as it is not really a factor for face lift surgery.
+1
How many stitches in a face lift
Never counted but put enough to close the wound appropritely and give it the best oppotunity to form a good scar. That is what is important.
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1
As many stitches as it takes to do the procedure properly
The number of stitches required for a facelift is largely unimportant. More important is having a discussion with your surgeon to discuss where the incision areas will be and what you can expect in terms of healing and long term results. For instance do you use sutures or staples that will need to be removed, and what is the estimated removal time, or do you use stitches that dissolve on their own? As to the actual number, most doctors will just tell you as many as it takes to do the job...
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+1
Your surgeon will give you enough stitches to get the best facelift result
I always find it interesting that people like to know how many stitches they get. This is especially true in lacerations. And yet it's the one thing that plastic surgeons never focus on.
When we do surgery we place as many sutures as is necessary to achieve the necessary result. There's no magic number and everyone is different. Because each patent is unique, each surgery is unique. So there's no need to get hung up on number.
+1
No rigid recommendation for number of facelift stitches
As you can tell from the other surgeons comments, that is like asking an artist to count the number of strokes in a painting.
There are no rigid recommendations here.
Generally our goal is to restore a youthful appearance by rearranging or addressing:
Bony structures
Reposition muscle layers (SMAS)
Examine fatty deposits or collections
Remove excess skin in an attempt to compensate for skin laxity or loss of elasticity.
However many stitches it takes to accomplish these goals is the right...
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+1
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.
+1
It all depends but shouldn't matter to the patient
Who is doing the surgery and what technique they are using will determine he number of stitches. Suffice to say, there are MANY stitches used to support the deep tissues, tighten the muscles, and close the skin. How many doesn't really matter - just that you get the result you want.
+1
The stitch count is not important. It is the quality of...
The stitch count is not important. It is the quality of the closure and the precision with which it is performed that will make the difference. Quite honestly I never count, I just try to do a great job!
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