How Long to Wait to Remove Stitches After Tummy Tuck?

asked 2 years ago by smamer7 in montana
Latest answer by Edward J. Domanskis, MD
Question viewed 1,923 times
Tags: stitches

I had a tummy tuck two weeks ago. I got both my drains out the same day which my doc said he NEVER does. My nurse called today to ask some questions she didnt even know both tubes were taken out. she canceled my appts for the next two weeks and told me to come back on the 22nd to get my stiches removed. thats FOUR weeks after my tt date! is that too long to wait? are they going to grow into my skin? PLEASE PLEASE HELP!! thank you.

6 answers to How Long to Wait to Remove Stitches After Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck stitches [with video]

I usually use deep absorbable sutures and staples and steri-strips on outside. These latter come out about 5 days after the surgery. Your doctor probably did not realize it would be that long unless they are the absorbable kind of sutures. You may want to call his office. see video

Edward J. Domanskis, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck suture removal to prevent scars

I normally use only dissolving sutures under the skin to close the incision from a tummy tuck. If you have sutures that need to be removed, they should be removed within 2 weeks to prevent railroad track scars. Less than 7 days is ideal, but it depends on whether your surgeon used any deeper sutures to prevent the wound from opening up.

Ankit Desai, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

Suture removal from tummy tucks

Most surgeons will close the TT with entirely absorbable sutures because if you leave external sutures more than one week they will leave railroad track marks on your skin permanently. Sounds like the office you are going to doesn't have it's act together entirely.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Timing of Stitch Removal after Tummy Tuck

I agree with my colleagues. A lot of the sequence of events do not really make sense. Tummy Tuck drains, unlike Facelift drains, are usually kep in more than a day or two until drainage has come down. When permanent stitches are used (most of us use dissolving burried stitches that do not need to be removed), they are removed by 7 days IF they are interrupted, as it sounds like you had, and a little longer if a burried subcuticular (running in the skin). It does not make much sense to leave... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Suture removal after tummy tuck surgery

This scenario is a little confusing, as we generally use dissolvable sutures during tummy tuck surgery, and non-dissolvable sutures usually come out after one week or so. I suggest calling your surgeon's office and asking to speak to the doctor directly to clarify the timing of your appointments. Good luck, /nsn.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck sutures

You describe a puzzling series of events- it sounds like your drains are out and you are doing okay. It would be unusual for non-absorbable sutures to be kept in place for 4 weeks. If you have sutures that you can SEE, and they are holding your incision together, keeping these sutures in place for a prolonged period of time will leave marks on your skin. This business is all about commnication: call up the office and ask to speak to the plastic surgeon. He/she should explain to you the next... more

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

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