Facelift: Q&A
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Can Internal Stitches Work Their Way out After a Face Lift?
I had a face and neck lift 8 weeks ago and have suddenly developed an angry red area immediately in front of the right ear. Can this be from a problem originating underneath the skin which is manifesting itself so late after surgery? there is also a noticeable elongated dent on that side.. Any suggestions as to the cause? I'm getting concerned because of the time elapsed since surgery.
The redness I have developed is not within the scar line in front of the ear but about 1/2 cm further away, it doesn't touch the scar. I'm therefore wondering if the surgeon placed a stitch in that spot to hold up the jowl fat and this is now causing the problem.There is no pain or swelling, just redness.
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12 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Barty1
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Do I have a suture granuloma?
It's possible that you have a suture granuloma. This occurs when the suture underneath the skin that is anchoring the muscle takes longer than normal to dissolve and for whatever reason, the body mounts an inflammatory response. The result is that the suture can work its way to the surface and create a "spitting" effect when there is a small amount of drainage around the suture. On the rare occasion that this happens to me I will typically put the patient on antibiotics and try...
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Angry red area and elongated dent in front of right ear need to be addressed by your surgeon
The physical findings you describe should be presented to your operating surgeon, as (s)/he is the most qualified to diagnose and treat them. While redness in the suture line can be expected, it should be symmetric and present on the left side as well. The technique used for your facelift undoubtedly will "explain" the physical findings. Please consult with your PS for optimal results. Good luck.
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Redness After a Facelift, It Could Be a Suture, But You Need To See Your Doctor
Anytime there is a sudden change after surgery even at 8 weeks out, you doctor needs to be notified. Symptoms such as redness, warmth, swelling, or a new dent could range from a minor issue to something more serious. It is very likely that there could be a reaction from an suture underneath the skin, but there are other causes that need to eliminated, infections, skin breakdown, and other rare causes. In this situation, I would have your doctor see the red area ASAP....
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Charlotte Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Can Stitches Work Their Way Out after Facelift?
It is possible for stitches to work their way out 8 weeks after surgery. On very rare occasions over the last 35 years I've had sutures come to the surface several years after a facelift. The elongated dent may be secondary to unresolved swelling. See your surgeon for possible removal of a stitch and an explanation of your dent.
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Please contact your surgeon and have this evaluated.
Burried suture, permanent or absorbable can become inflamed. The process is call "spitting." It is the body's way of getting rid of foreign material. A spitting stitch is a normal process. The key is to have this assessed and cared for by your surgeon. Once the suture is removed, the inflammation resolves. It is distinctly possible that this is causing the angry red area.
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"Spitting Sutures" and other Stitch problems
You may be right in your analysis. From what you described you have a "spitting stitch". Essentially your body tends to push foreign bodies to the surface and once it comes in contact with the pores or skin surface it can become inflamed or infected and may cause what is called a suture granuloma.
Most important is that you need to see your plastic surgeon for evaluation and treatment.Do not delay.
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Internal Stitches in Facelift Surgery May Need to Be Addressed
Dear Barty1-
Depending on your facelift technique, you may have sutures under your skin, in the area in front of your right ear, as you describe. These sutures may be absorbable, or may not be, which also affects how quickly they dissolve.
Generally, treating this type of issue can be done safely in the office, using some local anesthesia, and either removing the suture, re-suturing the right ear area, getting a possible cortisone injection, or a completely...
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Internal stitches in facelift
In many operatons now there are stitches tightening the underlying tissues n various places around the face infront of the ear. These can reject or form foreign body reactions called granuomas. A prudent probng of the area will find and remove the stitch.iAs long as the stitch is there it will continue to weep.
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Redness in Preauricular Area after Facelift at 2 Months
This could be a suture abscess or irritation, and this could have been used for SMAS plication or the like. An exam by your plastic surgeon will be necessary. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
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Internal Sutures 8 Weeks After a Facelift
The simple answer to your questions is "yes"; internal sutures can become inflamed and work their way out after surgery. This can occur weeks, months, or even years after surgery. In my experience, this process is more likely to occur when braided sutures are used. Many Surgeons prefer a longer lasting form of deeper suture, such as a braided Nylon, or a PDS (monofilament) for fixation of the SMAS. In my experience, this circumstance is most likely to occur when a...
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Red spot and possibility that this is a stitch that is working its way out.
This could be a stitch. Some sutures / stitches are more likely to work its way out. Braided sutures that are non absorbable. That is why I usually use nylon stitches that are nonabsorbable that are single filament and not braided. These don't react as much. You might need to have these removed.
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Possible Suture Reaction
Surgeons use many different approaches to closing facelift incisions. Sometimes dissolving sutures that can cause a reaction are placed under the skin. You could very well be right - the reaction you are noticing could be due to your body's reaction to a dissolving suture. I recommend that you see your surgeon to express your concerns. He or she will know what type of suture was used, and will be able to examine you.
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