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3rd week after a breast lift and implants - stitches removed too soon

asked 1 year ago by Z in FW in Fort Wayne, IN
Latest answer by Stanley Castor, MD
Question viewed 1,517 times
Tags: incision, stitches

The 2 under my nipples were opened and now I have two open triangles. My doctor suggested i put neosporin and gause and change it every 24 hours. Is this the right course of action? How long should I be like this before scarring takes place?

16 answers to 3rd week after a breast lift and implants - stitches removed too soon

+2

Breast Augmentation, Breast Enlargement, Breast Implants

Follow the advice of your personal plastic surgeon.  We can not give you advice directly on this site.  You may ask if there is a better topical cream to apply.  Ask if a revision can be done to close the skin. 
Jay H. Ross, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+2

Small wound opening after breast lift

A small wound opening at the junction of the inverted-t incsion of a breast lift is very common. You should not worry about it. your plastic surgeons recommendations are sound and good. your wounds will heal fine. sean younai, MD
S. Sean Younai, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Open Wound after Lift and Implants

Your wounds will most likely heal with this approach. We all see this once in a while. Keep the wounds clean and I would suggest changing the dressing at least 2-3 times a day rather than just once. Make sure you follow up with your surgeon.
Douglas L. Gervais, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Wound opening after mastopexy

Yes your surgeon is suggesting the right course. The open areas will heal by filling in from the skin edges. You can always have a minor scar revision done later once everything is healed. Good luck!
Stanley Castor, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation with lift

It is not uncommon for small area of a lift to open up. Is there any particular reason you don't trust the advice of your surgeon?
David E. Kim, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast contouring, #BreastAugmentation, #Breastlift, #mastopexy

Dear Z in FW, thank you for your question.  The plan is good and continue with your follow up with your MD.  You may want to add some paper tape to re-inforcesupport the incision/wound- ask your doctor about this.  The other consideration is that sometimes there are dissolving sutures under the skin that can cause irritation and thus need to be removed- ask your MD about this as well. With Warm Regards, Trevor M Born MD
Trevor M. Born, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wound dehiscence

Without examinig you or at least photos, it is difficult to say what the best course of action should be.  Follow your doctor's instructions and follow closely in the office.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Yes

There has been a wound separation.  These things do happen to all of us, fortunately, not very often. The proper treatment is to take care of the wound until it is healed. It sounds like you are getting the proper treatment.  There are many forms of treatment for these types of problems.  Almost all of the work. The important thing is that you have confidence in your surgeon and don't panic.  I am sure he/she is doing the right thing. more
E. Anthony Musarra II, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wound opening

Follow your surgeon's instructions. Be careful. Avoid the temptation to keep looking at it. Every time you pull on the skin to get a better view you are pulling apart the wound edges and you may make things worse. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD
Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

+1

Wound opening after breast surgery

From your description, it sounds like your surgeon is doing the right thing. Unfortunately, small wound separations can occur after any surgery, cosmetic or not. Openings around the nipple can heal fairly well, and if not, can be revised easily in most offices. It may take a few weeks for you to heal, assuming you don't have any conditions that delay wound healing or aren't on any medications that do the same (eg. high dose steroids). Be patient, and good luck. more
Derek Lou, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Incisions opened after breast lift

Most of us no longer use sutures that have to be removed, and when removal is required seven to ten days at most is when sutures are removed. Incisions don't open very often during a breast lift, though with the 'T' pattern breast reduction, separation is not infrequent at the T point where everything comes together. After three weeks most surgeons will not re-suture the area, and  keeping the area clean and using antibiotic ointment daily to allow the open area to heal and... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

+1

Right way to go

I know this can be upsetting but, your Doctor has told you the right course of action.  Sometimes suture lines tend to do this and the best is Neosporen and "clean" gauze.  Make sure when you change the gauze you are not pulling off small scabs.  If the gauze gets stuck make sure that you wet the gauze first and remove gently.  It will heal within 3-4 weeks.  Make sure you keep all your follow up appointments with your surgeon.   more
Linda Swanson, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sounds like a good plan

In some cases the wound below the nipple or the wound where the vertical meets the horizontal scar the incision witll open.  When this happens time and dressings are what it takes to heal these wounds.  Many times the scars when all is said and done look very good.  If not a small scar revision can be done in the future.  Be patient it could take three or four weeks to heal.   Good Luck, Dr T
Scott Tucker, MD

Winston Salem Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Lift / Mastopexy Incisions

In rare cases, the superficial skin can separate slightly after suture removal.  This may be due to your individual body healing or the tightness of the closure.  If you post pictures of your before and after results and close up images of the areas you are concerned about, we may be able to give you more specific advice.  However, it sounds as if your surgeon is doing the right thing by having you use the ointment in those areas as the heal.  While the incisions might... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Wound separation after mastopexy

It sounds like the corners have opened up on the incision sites.  If your surgeon has seen it then it sounds like you have the right treatment plan.  When the skin opens up after surgery like this you have to let the body heal it back together.  You will have a scar and hopefully it will not be much different than if it had healed normally.  Once it is completely healed and softened you can do a small scar revision if needed. Best Wishes Dr. Peterson more
Marcus L. Peterson, MD

Saint George Plastic Surgeon
+1

This is my 3rd week after a breast lift and implants. My stitches were removed a bit too soon.

You describe a wound separation. The better course is to allow healing by secondary intention which by definition causes a scar. Keep area clean to promote healing from the edges. From MIAMI. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

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