How long before Neck Lift stitches are dissolved?

I had Neck Lift and Blepharoplasty, and I've been on 3 different types of antibiotics for 30 days due to a swollen stich in my lower jaw area. It's still red, swollen, and bruised. It's not necessarily painful because I am numb. I'm afraid that my body won't dissolve the stitch and it will poke through. How long does it take for a stitch to be dissolved in the body?

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6 answers to “How long before Neck Lift stitches...”

A: Depends on the type of stitches

William Portuese, MD
By William Portuese, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

If the stitch in the lower jaw area is still red, swollen, and bruised it will need to be removed. It may be a permanent stitch and not a dissolvable stitch. Stitch abscesses are best treated by local removal and the inflammation subsides. If not addressed, they can poke through the skin, which needs to be... more

A: Not all stitches dissolve

Richard Gentile, MD
By Richard Gentile, MD - Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

Sutures used in neck lift procedure may me permanent sutures so the dissolving issue may not apply to your question.  If your sutures dissolve the usual time frame can be 1 to 6 months or so for the most common dissolvable sutures.

A: Stitches serve many purposes

Robert M. Freund, MD
By Robert M. Freund, MD - New York City Plastic Surgeon

Some stitches are permanent, others are temporary. The temporary ones can dissolve over time depending on the type of stitch used. Some will last as little as 5 days, while others will last up to 6 months. The dissolvable stitches can create a local inflammatory reaction that causes the stitches to be pushed... more

A: Ask your surgeon about the stitches used in your lift

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
By Otto Joseph Placik, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

You really need to ask your surgeon this question: There are stitches that last anywhere from 5 days up to forever. These are all used in facial plastic surgery and typically many different types are used on the same paitent.

A: Those stitches may not dissolve on their own.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
By Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD - Los Angeles Oculoplastic surgeon

 Terrianne I practice in West Los Angeles.  Each and everyone of my patient's sign a consent that among other things tells them that they must call me for any issue after surgery and to expect that I will want to see them personally if they are having an issue.  I would much rather see someone... more

A: You are not finding your post operative care reassuring.

George J. Beraka, MD
By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Hi! We get a lot of questions similar to yours at RealSelf, and it puzzles me.  Where is the surgeon?  How come he or she cannot satisfactorily answer your question in front of you? I can tell you that my own plastic surgery practice in Manhattan would not thrive unless we constantly called patients... more

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