Tummy tuck 1 year post op. Sutures are still present and will have to be pulled out by my provider. Should I be concerned?

Thank you for your question regarding sutures remaining one year after your tummy tuck. Every plastic surgeon does a tummy tuck slightly differently. Some use all absorbable sutures; some plastic surgeons use permanent sutures. In your case, your plastic surgeon has elected to use permanent sutures. This is not abnormal or uncommon. In fact, it may lead to a better scar. Therefore, it is not uncommon for you to return to your plastic surgeon one year later to have your permanent sutures removed. Since they are permanent sutures, they can last your whole lifetime. However, at one year, the sutures should be able to be safely removed. Thank you for your question regarding removing permanent sutures one year after your tummy tuck.

If you have any more questions regarding a tummy tuck, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 tummy tuck or circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, tummy tuck or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Hello @Sensible504452, thank you for your question. It is critical to consult the doctor that performed the surgical procedure. This is because he knows what type of technique he or she used and how he or she performed the procedure. For more information and recommendations, it is best to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

Dear Sensible504452,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

You may have some permanent sutures that are spitting which is very uncommon. Rarely, someone's dissolvable sutures do not dissolve and they also work out over time.

Sometimes sutures will not dissolve and will make their way to the surface of the skin. They are typically easily removed and heal well with minor home care. Generally your surgeon will address this for you.

Most plastic surgeons use absorbable sutures that dissolve overtime.
Dissolvable sutures come in different types made out of different materials and have different time frames for when they dissolve.
If permanent sutures are used then they stay in the body indefinitely.
Depending on the technique of closure sutures can sometimes get contaminated from skin bacteria in which case a small abscess forms and the body tries to reject the foreign material.
This is not uncommon after major plastic surgical procedures and usually happens within the first few months.
It can’t happen much later but typically with time the chance of having spitting sutures becomes less and less.
Typically all that’s required is to pull on the suture material and cut the end if needed.
Plastic surgeons are all familiar and trained in doing this.
Some patients may be slightly predisposed to having this problem and technique used by the surgeon can make a difference as well.
Follow up with your provider. I’m sure he or she Will be happy to help you out.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD