I had a tummy tuck 4 weeks ago. I've had a couple areas that are slow healing. My ps had me on 2 rounds of antibiotics just to be safe which I have completed. Last night after my shower a stitch fell out and I have several more poking through. Is this normal? What should I do? Does this effect anything? Also is there anything else I can do to help close the open areas? I'm cleaning it daily and treating it several times a day with a double topical antibiotic. I'm worried.
Answer: Tummy Tuck and "Spitting Stitches" Looks like you and your plastic surgeon are doing the right things. Spitting stitches is not uncommonin all surgery when sutures are used close to the surface of the skin. Remember all sutures are foreign bodies, even dissolvable ones. It's always a race between the body dissolving them or trying to get rid of them. It's an annoying fact of surgery. Just stay in touch with your plastic surgeon and follow his directions.
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Answer: Tummy Tuck and "Spitting Stitches" Looks like you and your plastic surgeon are doing the right things. Spitting stitches is not uncommonin all surgery when sutures are used close to the surface of the skin. Remember all sutures are foreign bodies, even dissolvable ones. It's always a race between the body dissolving them or trying to get rid of them. It's an annoying fact of surgery. Just stay in touch with your plastic surgeon and follow his directions.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
April 28, 2016
Answer: Tummy tuck wound issues Thanks for your inquiry, excellent pictures, and sorry for your struggles. You seem to be taking very good care of your wounds. I recommend you see your plastic surgeon regularly to monitor your progress and address sutures that spit. In general, these issues resolve and make sure you discuss scar management with your surgeon.
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April 28, 2016
Answer: Tummy tuck wound issues Thanks for your inquiry, excellent pictures, and sorry for your struggles. You seem to be taking very good care of your wounds. I recommend you see your plastic surgeon regularly to monitor your progress and address sutures that spit. In general, these issues resolve and make sure you discuss scar management with your surgeon.
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March 26, 2015
Answer: Slow healing after tummy tuck Thanks for your question and photos. I am sorry to hear about your problem. From what I can see, it looks like your surgeon used an absorbable stapler (Insorb) to close the dermal part of your skin. They do take awhile to dissolve and occasionally will spit. It is not that uncommon to have some slow ares of delayed healing, particularly along the middle of the incision where the tension is highest. The risk of this problem is higher in obese patients, smokers, and more aggressive procedures. It sounds like you are doing everything right. Eventually these areas will heal, although the scar may be a little more wide, flat, or discolored. You can always have a delayed scar revision in the future. Try to be patient and listen to your surgeon's instructions. Good luck.
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March 26, 2015
Answer: Slow healing after tummy tuck Thanks for your question and photos. I am sorry to hear about your problem. From what I can see, it looks like your surgeon used an absorbable stapler (Insorb) to close the dermal part of your skin. They do take awhile to dissolve and occasionally will spit. It is not that uncommon to have some slow ares of delayed healing, particularly along the middle of the incision where the tension is highest. The risk of this problem is higher in obese patients, smokers, and more aggressive procedures. It sounds like you are doing everything right. Eventually these areas will heal, although the scar may be a little more wide, flat, or discolored. You can always have a delayed scar revision in the future. Try to be patient and listen to your surgeon's instructions. Good luck.
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April 28, 2016
Answer: Tummy tuck / stitches / wound healing Greetings. In general, things should improve. Just make sure to follow up with your plastic surgeon on a regular basis. Stitches can work themselves out of the incision(s). Vigilant monitoring is always good in these situations. It seems that your surgeon is addressing the issue. As things may be frustrating at this point, they will improve over time. Best wishes.
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April 28, 2016
Answer: Tummy tuck / stitches / wound healing Greetings. In general, things should improve. Just make sure to follow up with your plastic surgeon on a regular basis. Stitches can work themselves out of the incision(s). Vigilant monitoring is always good in these situations. It seems that your surgeon is addressing the issue. As things may be frustrating at this point, they will improve over time. Best wishes.
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March 26, 2015
Answer: Tummy tuck wounds Hi and thank you for your question. Sometimes wound healing problems like this happen after a tummy tuck and it is one of the risks of having surgery. But with some local wound care it should heal fine. Talk to your PS about what wound dressings she/he would recommend and continue to follow up.
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March 26, 2015
Answer: Tummy tuck wounds Hi and thank you for your question. Sometimes wound healing problems like this happen after a tummy tuck and it is one of the risks of having surgery. But with some local wound care it should heal fine. Talk to your PS about what wound dressings she/he would recommend and continue to follow up.
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