Approximately how long does it take for sutures to dissolve after buccal fat removal?

Question

I am 3 days post-op and want to know when my sutures will dissolve?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Treatment of ‘chubby cheeks’ cannot be achieved alone with buccal fat pad removal; a fact that I encounter time and time again when seeing patients in consultation for lower facial sculpting. My approach is to use a combined protocol that redefines aesthetic contours of the face. This includes the following: 
  
 
  
Buccal Fat Pad Removal 
  Non-surgical Muscle-Fascia Tightening
  Venus Legacy or Venus Viva
  Ultherapy
  Submental Liposuction or Coolsculpting
   
  
The combined approach is ideal. Buccal fat pad removal is a exceptional procedure that can remove excess fat from the cheek pads. Using an intraoral approach, a small incision is carried through the mucosa to remove a small fat pad within the cheek. Closure of the incisions is minimal with an absorbable suture and patients will experience some swelling post-operatively. We use SwellX tablets post treatment. Once healed, the contour of the cheek is improved and we begin Non-invasive tissue tightening to further enhance results. 
  
 
  
Best, 
  
Dr. Karamanoukian
  
Realself100 Surgeon

Omar Lazos, MD · Answer

I don't use sutures, when other surgeons do usually is catgut and it disolves in 1 week. Hope this helps

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Sutures dissolve at different rates depending on type of suture used and patient's physiology.  Typically suture dissolve over a period of 1 week to 3 weeks.  Best Dr. Anil Shah

John Mesa, MD · Answer

The time that it takes for the sutures to be removed after buccal fat removal depends on the type of suture used by the surgeon. In my practice I use vicryl sutures to close the intra-oral buccal fat removal incisions. These sutures take about 2 weeks to dissolve. I like to use these sutures because they are soft and cause no trauma to the surrounding intra-oral tissue.Other surgeons may use Chromic suture. This suture material tend to dissolve faster than vicryl. However, I don't like to use it because it is rigid, thus causing discomfort to the patient and potentially causing trauma to the surrounding tissue with its sharp hard edges.

Approximately how long does it take for sutures to dissolve after buccal fat removal?

Answers (4)

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