How Long Should I Leave my Dissolvable Stitch Alone?

asked 1 year ago by Gail1962 in Bloomfield, New Jersey
Latest answer by Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Question viewed 2,860 times
Tags: female, dissolve, stitches

My dissolvable stitches are starting to pop out, I have two so far. One has been exposed about 2 weeks now and PS said to just let it be. Now I have another one. It is white and pretty strong. I dont think I can pull it as it seems to have two ends sticking out so I assume its in a knot. Can these stitches leave holes? Should I insist that my PS remove them? Im sure I will start having others pop out. They are freaking me out. I am 4 weeks Tummy Tuck post op

10 answers to How Long Should I Leave my Dissolvable Stitch Alone?

Spitting Dissolvable Sutures Can Be Removed

There should not be a problem with you trimming or removing one or more of your dissolvable stitches which have spit. This happens not infrequently, especially when the knots of sutures have been placed very close to the skin. The sutures are obviously not holding tissue together if they have spit out.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Spitting sutures

We call the phenomenon of sutures coming out like that spitting. Sometimes its due to the type of suture material and how your body chooses to deal with them, instead of absorbing them it is letting them out through the surface. The scar will slightly widen but don't worry, it will only be by a couple of milimeters at most. See your board certified PS for him to remove anything that comes up quickly.

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.DoctorMeade.com

Remove spitting sutures

Spitting sutures can make for poor scars if left sticking through the skin. The wound was closed in several layers and it should not be a problem to remove the sutures that are poking through the skin after a few weeks. If you are "freaked out" I would recommend you have your surgeon remove them. If he won't ( I don't know why he would refuse) then cleanse your skin with an antibacterial soap like Dial or Lever, wipe with peroixide and... more

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

Dissolving sutures after tummy tuck

Dissolving sutures are the norm after tummy tuck, and most will remain under the skin and disappear after three weeks. Occasionally one or more may come to the surface, and when they do you surgeon should remove them in the office, both for comfort to you and better healing. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

How Long Should I Leave my Dissolvable Stitch Alone?

Go immediately for removal. If by 2 weeks they are not out you need removal otherwise scars could form! From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Stitches are popping out of incision

These stitches commonly come out on their own. I will occasionally advise patients to gently wash the incisions with cetaphil soap to encourage them to fall out.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Dissolvable sutures spitting

What you have are "spitting sutures" that can make their way to the surface. Usually by 3-4 weeks these sutures can be cut short or removed.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Call your ps

I doubt you got your surgery for free, thus your doctor works for you. Go see him, let him remove the stitches and answer your question. It should be included in the fee he charged you.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Spitting stitches

You can pul on these with a tweezer and they will usually come out or you can snip them off at the skin level. Follow your doctor's advice, usually they should be happy to deal with them if you are uncomfortable.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Stiches after tummy tuck

Don't worry, there is no reason to "freak out" since this is a common event after a tummy tuck with absorbable sutures. In most cases, the sites of the sutures heal fine. If this really bothers you, it is OK to ask your surgeon if they can be removed in the office.