Why am I red & crazy itchy where dissolvable stitches are near incision site after breast lift? (photos)

Question

I am now 2 weeks post op and have been very itchy the last 3-4 days. When I took the micropore tape off, I noticed that the dissolvable stitches were sat on top of my skin and where they were entering my skin it was very red - see pictures.. My PS has given me some Bactroban ointment & a 5 day course of Dicloxacillin.. Does it look like an infection? Should I be concerned?

Guy Watts, MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question and images. Skin infections can occur after surgery and it is a risk that I explain to all patients undergoing any type of surgery. From your images it looks like you are having a local reaction to the suture material which again is relatively common. Most resorbing sutures have some associated skin reaction but this is usually very mild. It appears that you may be having a slightly more vivid reaction which will settle with time. The safe thing to do is to treat the area as if there is a possible infection and cover yourself with antibiotics. Your management so far is appropriate. RegardsDr Guy Watts

Brian Coan, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there, thanks for sharing your photos and concerns. You are a little red, but your surgeon has you on an antibiotic which will help fight an infection if you do, in fact, have one. Best to keep communication open between you and your surgeon and let him or her know if your issue becomes worse. Best to you. -Dr. Coan

Sean Kelishadi, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  It appears that you did the right thing by seeing your surgeon.  Their assessment and plan seems appropriate.  In general, absorbable sutures get dissolved by an inflammatory process -- in some people like yourself, it may create some irritation/redness around the sutures.  Placing you on prophylactic antibiotics just to be on the safe side so that the minor redness you see doesn't brew into something more serious is a good plan.  Hope this helps alleviate your concerns!

Why am I red & crazy itchy where dissolvable stitches are near incision site after breast lift? (photos)

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Why am I red & crazy itchy where dissolvable stitches are near incision site after breast lift? (photos)

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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