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Side Effects from Tummy Tuck Sutures?

asked 3 years ago by JB in Florida in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
Latest answer by Carlin Vickery, MD
Question viewed 2,345 times
Tags: belly button

Hi, I am considering having abdominoplasty as I have a large diastasis from pregnancy and an umbilical hernia. I am worried about a foreign body, ie: permanent sutures. What are the sutures usually made of for this procedure and which one has been shown over years to cause little if any long term side effects?

Also, is there a technique I could ask for to get a normal small sized belly button? The pix I have seen of before and after belly button reconstruction have shown half dollar sized belly buttons. Thank you very much.

15 answers to Side Effects from Tummy Tuck Sutures?

Tummy tuck, belly button size, suture materials

We typically use non-dissolving sutures, even in thin ladies. Most of the suture materials are soft and literally become incorporated into the body's tissues. The incidence of palpable sutures is very very low. More commonly, it is the self dissolving sutures that cause issues as they dissolve away and produce an inflammatory reaction, and with it the suture extrudes. While this is not serious, it can be irritating to see a "pimple" develop on the incision even weeks to months... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Either suture material is fine

I used to use permanent sutures for the muscle repair, but years ago, I switched to dissolvable sutures. I tried them on smaller patients first and now I use them in every abdominoplasty. There's no difference in the results regarding the muscle repair. I also use dissolvable sutures to close the abdominal wall incision. I bring out the patient's belly button through an inverted "V" incision and this creates hooding superiorly and no outside scar can be seen inferiorly.... more

George Marosan, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

I use dissolvable sutures to repair the diastasis recti.

Hi! In Manhattan, we use absorbable sutures to repair the diastasis in a tummy tuck. The repair is permanent because the internal tissues heal together, not because of permanent sutures. And there is less risk of a deep infection with absorbable sutures. But many experienced plastic surgeons use permanent sutures, and that works well too. You can certainly have your belly button made smaller during an abdominoplasty.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tucks and Permanent Sutures

There are both absorbable and permanent sutures that can be used to correct a diastasis. Most of the time, patients are unaware of the underlying sutures. Occasionally in very thin patients, prolene permanent sutures can be felt as a small knot. If the patient is very bothered, then a small incision can be made over the offending suture and it can be removed. Most other suture material is not palpable and doesn't cause problems. The final result of your belly button may be determined... more

Carlin Vickery, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Use a board certified plastic surgeon who performs many tummy tucks

If you use a board certified plastic surgeon who you meet and feel comfortable with and who has before-after photos that you find appealing, then you will do well. The exact type of suture will not be an issue. Also, you can see the type of belly buttons that he creates and make sure you like what you see. Spend your time finding a top board certified plastic surgeon with excellent training and results and the rest will fall into place. Good luck.

Parham Ganchi, MD
Wayne Plastic Surgeon

The key is to find a surgeon you like and feel you can positively interact with...

Hi there- The type of suture used is going to depend a lot on the particular surgeon's preferences, but as long as you find a surgeon who does a fair number of tummy tucks, and feel comfortable with him/her, like what you see when you view photos of his/her work, and are able to confirm your positive evaluation by speaking with satisfied former patients, you should not worry that the sutures used will cause you problems down the road. I don't think this can be emphasized enough- find a... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Either type of suture is acceptable

Either permanent or dissolvable sutures are acceptable, and it really depends on the individual style of your surgeon. Both have a low complication rate as well, so you should feel comfortable with both options. Your belly button can certainly be made smaller and more youthful in appearance, and most experienced plastic surgeons can get you this result. Good luck! Dr. S

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

Tummy tuck sutures

Each surgeon has his or her own preference for sutures used for diastasis repair. I tend to use absorbable sutures for most of my patients. My main reason is that many of my patients are thin and can often feel the not from the suture through their skin. With an absorbable suture, this not will disappear as the suture breaks down. With a permanent suture, the not will persist and may be bothersome for the patient. I don't think there is any significant difference in the long-term outcome... more

Mitchel Krieger, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Variable technique for abdominoplasty

Different surgeons prefer different techniques and suture materials. Permanent sutures are usually very well-tolerated. What can happen however is that large knots may be palpable along the diastasis repair if you are very thin. Surgeons can bury the knots if that is the case. In addition, some surgeons use interrupted suture technique and others a running technique. I use an interrupted technique so that if there is an episode of increased pressure with straining or coughing, the repair... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

No side effects from permanent sutures

Hi, Every surgeon has his or her preferred sutures for use during tummy tuck surgery. We all use permanent sutures to repair the rectus diastasis (muscle separation), and this is made of materials such as polyester or nylon. These sutures are designed to have very little reaction with the patient's body. In addition, all sutures have been tested for safety prior to being released for patient use. The sutures for closing the fat and skin are usually dissolvable. Regarding your... more

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Permanent sutures are fine forever

Permanent sutures are best for closing the diastasis and the hernia. After you are healed up, you won't know they are there if you doctor 'buries the knots'. You can request absorbable sutures, but may create problems. The size of your belly button is determined by how large your doctor makes the opening at surgery. If the belly button ends up too large, the opening was too large.

G. Gregory Gallico III, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Sutures and the Belly Button

The sutures are usually permanent to keep the belly nice and flat for many years. The sutures that I have used with minimal problems are Ethibond for the abdominal tightening, Vicryl for closing the deep layers of the skin, and Monocryl for the more superficial layers of skin. As far as the belly button goes, ask your surgeon to make it small. The size of the belly button is determined by the size of the orginal belly button used as well as the new hole for it. If you ask your surgeon to... more

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com

Should not have a problem with permanent suture.

The sutures that are selected as permanent sutures are chosen because they have such limited reactivity in the body. They are the same sutures that would be used if you had your appendix or gall bladder out. These should not be a problem for you. As far as the belly button is concerned, each surgeons has their "technique" of creating a new belly button during tummy tuck surgery. You should ask to see your surgeon's before and after pictures of patients he/she has operated on. Your... more

David Rankin, MD
Jupiter Plastic Surgeon

Belly button scar after abdominoplasty

Belly button scars are important for patients after abdominoplasty as a poorly placed scar can be noticeable for life. I routinely reconstruct poorly placed and positioned belly button scars. In fact, I recently created a belly button in a patient with an absent belly button after abdominoplasty ten years ago. I create a natural looking belly button scar through a 'circumflex belly button' incision that I helped develop years ago. This creates an incredibly natural-looking umbilicus. more

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

A variety of permanent sutures materials for diastasis repair

There are a variety of permanent suture materials which include polypropylene, nylon, polyester, PTFE and many other materials. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and they may be better able to discuss the suture of their choice. Individual experiences vary. The umbilicus is usually made small. However, the final size may range from small to big based on several unpredictable variables.