Permanent and visible sutures for Tummy Tuck: Normal?

Do doctors usually use permanent and visible sutures under the skin for a Tummy Tuck?

Sort: Date | Helpful

12 answers to “Permanent and visible sutures for...”

A: Tummy tuck and sutures

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Some surgeons use permanent as well as absorbable suturs for a tummy tuck. For the tightening of the abdominal fascia I usually use a permanent non-absorbable suture. For the skin and subcutaneous tissue, I usually use absorbable sutures. But, like any chef, we all do it differently.

A: Yes permanent and absorbable sutures are used in Tummy Tucks

By Otto Joseph Placik, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

There are a variety of options available for wound closure. However, there is one general trend. Most surgeons use permanent sutures for the muscle repair. You must understand that permanent sutures don't always assure a permanent result of effect. Let me explain with an analogy. IF you graft two tree limbs... more

A: Permanent sutures are often used for muscle plication

By Sanjay Grover, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Both permanent and absorbable sutures are used in most abdominoplasty procedures. Permanent (but not visible) sutures are often used to tighten the muscles. It is variable what type of suture is used on the skin. If permanent sutures are used on the skin they are usually removed by one week.

A: Abdominoplasty Tummy Tuck Sutures are Absorbable and Non-absorbable

By Raffy Karamanoukian, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

A tummy tuck procedure utilizes both absorbable sutures for the suture line and non-absorbable sutures for the midline abdominal muscle tightening. The type of suture and more importantly, the method of suturing, is critical to acheiving excellent results. One of the most crucial factors in the long term... more

A: Permanent Suture

By Steven H. Williams, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

An abdominoplasty has three parts: Tightening the muscle Removing the skin and fat Contouring the skin envelope by the closure In my practice (as is typical for most board certified plastic surgery practices), permanent suture is used to tighten the muscle (the rectus plication). These sutures are... more

A: Go for the scar revision.

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Elise, It is very unusual to use permanent sutures directly under the skin along the incision (scar)line, but it sounds like that's what you've got. The sutures seem to be causing you irritation, as well. You should probably check with your surgeon to find out what type of sutures are in place. If they are... more

A: Both permanent and temporary sutures

By Brent Moelleken, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Most plastic surgeons will use a combination of permanent sutures for the repair of the fascia. Sewing the deep layer together with heavier absorbable (self-dissolving) sutures. The deep fascial sutures are very rarely palpable, even in our patients with very low percentage body fat. Often, sutures work their... more

A: When Knots are Not Appropriate

By Athleo Louis Cambre, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck typically involves the tightening of the rectus abdominis muscles, which become separated or splayed apart and weakened by pregnancy. Usually, the muscle repair is done using permanent (non-absorbable, i.e. not dissolved by your body) sutures, which may be made of monofilament... more

A: Permanent sutures are used inside to hold the muscle in place

By Usha Rajagopal, MD - San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Normally, permanent sutures are only used inside to hold the muscle in place. Generally, skin sutures are dissolveable. Though some doctors will apply permanent skin sutures that will be removed ten days to two weeks after surgery. Most doctors now use the newer dissolvable sutures that are quite strong that... more

A: Permanent sutures are common but they should not be visible.

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You must be thin. What can happen is: permanent deep stitches are used to bring the rectus muscles together, and if you have very little fat covering the muscles, then the stitches can be felt and even seen. There is no easy solution for this. If it isn't too bad, I would live with it. Otherwise, the sutures... more

More answers to Permanent and visible sutures for Tummy Tuck: Normal?
New York City - Yes doctors sometime use permanent sutures, but only in...

Comments

EliseC
5 posts
4 Nov 2008

Thank you Drs. My visible and palpable sutures are along the scar line. Both the color and "bump" of the sutures are visible. They are also palpable and cause me discomfort when doing some exercises like yoga. The ones over my hip bones sometimes cause pain when I wear certain clothing, belts, or use a seatbelt for a long time. I usually scar minimally and feel my tt scar is pretty pronounced (though no keloids). I still have redness 17 months post op. I have wondered if the sutures might continually irritate my skin from the inside, dis-allowing me to get the best result. I want them removed. Should I go for a complete scar revision with removal of sutures or individual cutting out of stitches? I feel can see more than 30 sutures. Thank you.