1 year post brow lift. Incision wound opened up with white suture material poking out & yellowish fluid w/swelling at incision?

Question

I have had pain, swelling and discomfort since my surgery one year ago. Doctor used 4.0 prolene sutures to pull the brow muscle up and then a prolene suture material at the incision site in the hairline. I have felt all year that I am just not healing as I have had consistent swelling, discomfort and pain. Still hurts to brush my finger over my forehead... Would it be appropriate to remove the sutures and suture material at this stage? Doc said it would be an in office procedure.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. While it should be acceptable to remove the permanent sutures, I suggest that you discuss your procedure, best practices in healing, and your recovery expectations in greater depth with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. We want to make sure patients feel safe and secure with their board certified facial plastic surgeons.
Best wishes,

John Bitner, MD · Answer

Yes, it should be OK to remove the permanent sutures at this point.  As long as the arcus marginalis (connective tissue layer at the brow bone) was released at the time of surgery, the brow should have now permanently healed and adhered to the underlying bone in a new and higher position.  This should no longer be dependent on a suture to keep it there.  When performing an endoscopic browlift, I only use dissolving or resorbing suspension material without evidence of drop after the suspension material is gone.

David W. Rodwell III, MD · Answer

Your description sounds consistent with a minor infection around the suture material.  This is fairly uncommon but is a known potential issue when using permanent sutures underneath the skin.  For that reason I prefer long-lasting but dissolvable deep sutures.  They typically last for 3 or 4 months, and by that time the body has healed itself well enough that the extra support from the sutures is no longer needed.A suture infection is typically an easy procedure to treat in the office.  I would defer to the advice of your original surgeon regarding the specifics of your case.

Reza Sadrian, MD · Answer

I highly recommend you make an appointment with your surgeon to have the sutures removed safely and avoid causing more pain and swelling in the future. It will most likely only take a few minutes and your pain should start to subside once proper healing can take place.

Chris Thiagarajah, MD · Answer

I would ask your surgeon to take them out for sure. If they are causing a problem best to get rid of them.

1 year post brow lift. Incision wound opened up with white suture material poking out & yellowish fluid w/swelling at incision?

Answers (9)

Answer: Removing Sutures

Answer: Removing Sutures

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes

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Everything you need to know about Brow Lift

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1 year post brow lift. Incision wound opened up with white suture material poking out & yellowish fluid w/swelling at incision?

Answers (9)

Answer: Removing Sutures

Answer: Removing Sutures

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Brow Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.