How long does it take for internal stitches to dissolve (upper blepharoplasty)?

Question

I'm thinking about having an upper blepharoplasty + keep reading things about irritation along the suture lines + it possibly being due to internal sutures that need to dissolve. I wear contacts, so I don't want to experience that kind of irritation for too long + weighting the pros/cons of having the procedure. Thanks!

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

There is no need to use dissolvable internal sutures in an upper blepharoplasty. I close all of my upper blepharoplasties with a single suture of non-dissolving material which runs from one end of the incision to the other end of the incision completely underneath the skin. Because it is a non-dissolving suture, it does not create a reaction from the body trying to dissolve it. The suture is easily removed in approximately five or six days by simply sliding it out and leaves no of suture marks.  Check with your plastic surgeon about whether this could be done and simplify your upper blepharoplasty. Best wishes.

Michael P. Morrissette, DDS, FACS · Answer

The length of time for sutures to resorb varies between the different types of sutures and the material from which they are made. Internal sutures are generally used infrequently for upper blepharoplasty. Most surgeons use a fast resorbing suture in the skin only or a type of nylon suture that is removed in 5-7 days. The recovery from upper blepharoplasty surgery is very rapid.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Each surgeon will have their own preference of what type of suture to use for upper blepharoplasty.  I do not use any internal sutures when I perform upper blepharoplasty.  I use a suture just on the skin, which is removed about 6-7 days after the procedure.  If an internal suture where used, the length of time it would take to dissolve would depend on which suture was used.  There should not be a problem wearing contact lenses after upper blepharoplasty.

Omar Quaba, MA, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Hi,
Most surgeons use a non dissolvable suture that is removed after 5-7 days so that there is not risk of suture irritation. Whilst eye irritation is possible after blepharoplasty, this is less common with upper blepharoplasty than it is with lower blepharoplasty.
We generally advise avoiding wearing contact lenses for around 3 weeks after blepharoplasty. This is largely to avoid you manipulating your eyelids when inserting and removing the lenses.

How long does it take for internal stitches to dissolve (upper blepharoplasty)?

Answers (4)

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