Tummy Tuck Q&A

94%

WORTH IT RATING

2,305 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,950

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,756 people and 865 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Tummy Tuck: Are Stitches on Ab Muscles Permanent or Do They Dissolve?

asked 1 year ago by MyTime in Southern California
Latest answer by Jeffrey E. Kyllo, MD
Question viewed 752 times
Tags: abdomen, dissolve, permanent, stitches

I was just curious about the stitches on the abdominal muscles that are performed on a Tummy Tuck. Do the stitches stay in forever or do they dissolve with time?

14 answers to Tummy Tuck: Are Stitches on Ab Muscles Permanent or Do They Dissolve?

Stitches used for abdominal wall repair during tummy tuck

Most plastic surgeons will use permanent (non-absorbable) sutures for the abdominal wall tightening (plication) during a tummy tuck. You can ask your plastic surgeon which type specifically he used. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

Suture choices for abdominal muscle (sheath) plication.

All of the answers will tell you that each surgeon chooses suture material on the basis of habit, experience, training, or perhaps on the basis of the tissue characteristics and desired outcome. As plastic surgeons, we all are taught the differences in suture construction (braided or monofilament), type (permanent or absorbable), material (natural or synthetic), size, and if absorbable, rate of absorption. These characteristics must be matched to the surgical "job" at hand... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Stitches

It totally depends on the surgeon's preference. I use permanent stitches but a slowly-absorbing absorbable suture is used by some surgeons. In my hands, a permanent suture tends to yield better results.

David S. Rosenberg, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Sutures for tummy tuck

Most surgeons use permanent sutures to bring the abdominal muscles together. Dissolvable sutures would only produce an adhesion between the muscles once they dissolve. This adhesion is much weaker and more susceptible to dehiscence (separation).

Ricardo Izquierdo, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck muscle tightening sutures

Dear MyTime in Southern California: The type of suture used for a tummy tuck varies by plastic surgeon. Click on "more" below to view part 1 of a 4 part tummy tuck video. Realistically, if the sutures hold for 6 weeks, you body will heal and maintain the resultant tightening. Personally, I use permanent sutures, and I prefer a woven polyester suture, as this seems to incorporate in the scar and may provide additional structure and support. The body remodels with... more

Joseph Mele, MD
Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

Permanent or dissolvable sutures for the muscle repair?

Most plastic surgeons, including myself, use permanent sutures for the muscle repair as its durability and retaining of strength is predictable. There are some who will use dissolvable sutures which may be longer lasting but there still is a risk that they will lose the desirable strength too early - before the tissues have fully "healed" where there would no longer be a risk of disruption. You should inquire of your plastic surgeon what his/her preference is. more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Tummy tuck stitches

Most plastic surgeons use permanent stitches in the muscle fascia plication. The suture material is made of polypropylene (like fish line) and does not dissolve. However, that does not mean that they hold forever, because the sutures can cut through the tissues resulting in a recurrence of the bulge. In addition the entire abdominal wall can stretch back out over time after tightening, resulting in the recurrence of the bulge.

Victor Au, MD
Chapel Hill Plastic Surgeon

Dissolving versus permanent sutures

This is personal decision by the surgeon based on training, beliefs, and experience. Both absorbable and permanent sutures can work just fine. There is no one right suture to use. Every surgeon makes his choice and has his or her reasons. I personally use permanent suture but have used absorbable suture at times and would have absolutely no criticism of anyone who uses absorbable suture.

Jeffrey E. Kyllo, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Suture material to plicate the tummy muscle

It is really up to your plastic surgeon what suture material she/he uses for tightening the abdominal muscle. I use the permanent suture; some may use long-lasting dissolvable sutures. It is preference of the surgeon.

Sugene Kim, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Permanent sutures

I use permanent suture for muscle plication for tummy tuck. These suture stay forever, unless removed by another surgery for the abdomen. They are harmless and cannot be felt through the skin. There are however different types of permanent sutures and each surgeon has his/her own preference.

Moneer Jaibaji, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

There are many different options for muscle plication in and abdominoplasty. However, most surgeons will use a permanent suture mTerial

David L. Abramson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Sutures for Muscle Repair in Tummy Tuck

The type of suture material used for the muscle repair during a tummy tuck is at the discretion of the surgeon, although you could probably have some input if you feel strongly. I personally use a permanent suture as I am more comfortable with this type of suture and have enciuntered no problems when using it. Other plastic surgeons may prefer a dissolving suture.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck muscle sutures, permanent or not

The type of sutures may depend on surgeon preference, however we always use a permanent suture to repair the muscle and diastasis. If you are concerned you should ask your surgeon. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd