Tummy Tuck Q&A
94%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
2,305 Reviews
Tummy Tuckbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,950

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,757 people and 865 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

What Can I Do About "Stitch Spitting" and Absess when the Sutures Are Nondissolvable?

asked 9 months ago by Explanted in Ventura, CA
Latest answer by Peter A. Aldea, MD
Question viewed 397 times
Tags: abscess, oozing, options, stitches

My ruptured breast implants were removed on July 2nd, 2011. Since then, sections of my scars remained red and oozed blood and a puss. After about a month of triple antibiotic treatment, the areas have not improved. When a nondisolvable suture came to the surface, I consulted with my P.S. who said the sutures were about a half inch below the surface and that I must have sensitive skin and to be patient. Is it proper to use nondisolvable sutures below the skin? Will I have scars from these?

3 answers to What Can I Do About "Stitch Spitting" and Absess when the Sutures Are Nondissolvable?

+2

What Can I Do About "Stitch Spitting" and Absess when the Sutures Are Nondissolvable?

It is obvious that your surgeon has not properly educated you on the REASON he used non-dissolving sutures. First some Chinese fortune cookie philosophy - Good and bad are intertwined. There would be no light without dark or good without evil. Similarly, there is no such thing as a delicious non-fattening chocolate cake or a wonderful stock which always wins without losing. We use non-dissolving stitches when we want things to stay put and not move - No sane surgeon would stitch a... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+2

Spitting sutures following breast surgery

Nondissolvable sutures can be used deep to the skin. If they are poking through the skin or into the skin causing redness or pain, they should be removed. If you were applying a triple antibiotic ointment to the skin for a month - stop! This can cause skin irritation, rashes and skin breakdown. Request to be seen by your plastic surgeon again. If you are not satisfied with the situation, you also can obtain a second opinion from a reputable board certified plastic surgeon. more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+2

Stitch problems

Yes it is “proper” to use non-dissolvable sutures. Sometimes this is done to avoid spreading of tissues such as areola after surgery. Unfortunately, these non-dissolvable sutures can be more problematic than dissolvable sutures. If you continue to experience problems that you described and demonstrate, the sutures may need to be removed. Sometimes when the sutures are removed (if it had been used in a purse string fashion) you will find that the areola does... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Ask a question