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Is 7 Days Too Early to Remove Stitches for Upper Blepharoplasty?

asked 8 months ago by alburn22
Latest answer by Keshini Parbhu, MD
Question viewed 742 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, normal, stitches

I recently had upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon did a cross stitch that is to be removed in 7 days. Is 7 days too long to remove the stitches? I'm concerned about the cross stitch pattern scaring. How common is that stitch technique? Thanks

21 answers to Is 7 Days Too Early to Remove Stitches for Upper Blepharoplasty?

Stitches after plastic surgery around the eyes

At my Austin, Texas area plastic surgery practice I typically remove upper eyelid sutures at about 5-7 days if I am not using resorbable sutures. Having sutures in for 7 days in your case is fine and the lines will go away quickly after the sutures are removed. The upper eyelid skin heals very well and typically scars are barely visible within 6 months. Best of luck, Dr. Kerr

Mahlon Kerr, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

Suture removal after eyelid surgery

In my practice the eyelid sutures are removed on the 3d or 4th day after surgery and the incision on upper eyelid and lateral side of lower eyelid are then covered with a very fine steristrips (paper tapes) for an additional 3 days. Leaving the sutures 7 days should be OK, but I definitely will not leave them more than 7 days. This explanation should not be considered as medical advice and is only for information purpose. Every surgeon has his or her own way of doing postoperative care... more

A. H. Nezami, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

www.jacksonvillecosmeticsurgery.com

Upper eyelid stitch removal

Most surgeons remove stitches from the upper eyelids between 4 - 7 days. The timing is determined by the tension on the suture line - the more tension, the longer the stitches are left intact. Scarring from stitches is usually not a factor until after seven days.

Joseph N. Togba, MD
Oakland Plastic Surgeon

www.josephtogbamd.com

Upper blepharoplasty sutures may be removed 3-7 days post-op.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty incisions heal inconspicuously in nearly everyone. I typically remove sutures from the upper eyelid incisions around 5 days post-op. There should be no problem waiting till day-7 in most cases. Dr. Joseph

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

Eyelid Suture Removal At One Week Is Perfectly Acceptable

While plastic surgeons will have different suturing techniques and suture materials for eyelid surgery, these differences are not significant and no one particular method has been shown to produce superior scar results. The same can be said for the timing of suture removal. Removal between 4 and 7 days is most common and that is largely a surgeon preference based on their experience.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Suture removal

Suture removal after eyelid surgery can take place as early as three days after surgery. There is not a correct time to remove sutures as patients heal differently and it may depend on the type of suture used and the surgery performed.

Gary Lelli, Jr., MD
New York Oculoplastic Surgeon

Sutures for blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)

There is no absolute right answer to this question, and it also depends on the type of suture material your surgeon used. The average length of time would be between 4 and 7 days to remove sutures after upper blepharoplasty as the thin eyelid skin heals very quickly.

Jamil Asaria, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

Stitches and 7 days

Eyelid sutures are usually removed in my practice within a week and sometimes as early as 3-4 days.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Eyelid suture removal

Every surgeon has a slightly different approach to surgery and wound closure, which includes suture material and placement. Most surgeons remove sutures 4-6 days out. One or two days later is not going to significantly impact the outcome in the long run. Bottom line, trust your surgeon.

Scott M. Goldstein, MD
Philadelphia Oculoplastic Surgeon

Not a problem

Removing sutures at 7 days is not a problem and is well within the range of when most surgeons remove eyelid sutures. Don't worry!

Mikel Lo, MD
Tucson Oculoplastic Surgeon

Is 7 Days Too Early to Remove Stitches for Upper Blepharoplasty?

Every plastic and cosmetic surgeon performs eyelid surgery and other plastic surgeries slightly differently, so there's no exact way but just their own way.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Is 7 days too early/too late to remove stitches after blepharoplasty?

Goodness gracious! Yes, this a great forum to get your questions answered and lots of experts will respond. But everyone has their own opinion. If you trusted your doctor to do your surgery, I would recommend that you listen to your doctor (and no one else) when it comes time to determine when to remove the stitches.

Lawrence Kass, MD
Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

4-7 days is acceptable.

Seven days is on the outside limits of acceptable time to remove eyelid sutures. Any later than that would potentially increase scar visibility and removal would be more uncomfortable as well.

A.J. Amadi, MD
Seattle Oculoplastic Surgeon

Suture removal 7 days post op for upper blepharoplasty

Hi, In my practice a sub cuticular stitch is used which at the end of the 5th day is simply pulled out. I like using this technique to minimize scarring. Not sure what your PS used, but I'm sure it will be alright. Address your concerns the next time you see him/her. Best wishes, Dr. H

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Suture removal after blepharoplasty

In most cases, sutures on the eyelids can be removed as early as three days and as late as sever days. If your surgeon is recommending seven days, then that must be what they usually do and you should go with their recommendations. Make sure you do not miss your appointment though, since I would not recommending leaving the sutures in over 7 days. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Sutures after upper blepharoplasty

In our practice we remove the upper eyelid sutures after three or four days. We use a nylon 'pullout' suture which reduces the suture irritation compared to 'absorbable' sutures, and the early removal reduces 'milia' or whiteheads which can occur on the suture line. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Remove eyelid sutures in 4-6 days

My preferred time to remove sutures is 5 days after surgery. 4 days is OK, but can be a little soon in some cases. I have no problem waiting 6 days, and in special cirumstances 7 days. Depending on how the sutures were placed and what kind of sutures were used, there are a couple of issues with waiting >7 days to remove the sutures. They can become more difficult to remove or they can leave suture tracks which can leave marks.

Andrea Nowonty Hass, MD
Palm Beach Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.hassplasticsurgery.com

4 to 6 days is generally followed.

However removing suture on day 7 should not pose an issue. We just like to get them out as early as possible to minimize issues associated with suturing including inclusion cysts, spitting suture, increase suture line inflammation. However, I personally do not believe that one day makes much difference. When surgeons use laser to cut the upper eyelid skin, sutures may need to be left in place up to 10 days. You choose your surgeon for a reason. This is not a... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Stitches

Most of us recommend 4-6 days for suture removal. There are time thar patients don't make it back until day 7 and I have never seen a long term probem.

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Suture removal after blepharoplasty

Seven days is about the right time to remove blepharoplasty sutures. The cross stitch pattern was adopted by your surgeon because he/she believed it would be the best technique in your situation. The pattern is visible because of immediate post surgical swelling. This will resolve.

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

Suture removal

I typically remove sutures one week after surgery. The cross stitch pattern should go away on its own shortly after the stitches are removed - no need to worry!