I had a lateral browlift over 6 weeks ago and still have stitches, should they be removed?

Question

He said they would probably dissolve but that if they didn't, he would remove them at my follow up appointment about 6 weeks after surgery. I still have the sutures and i have had slight bleeding on 2 ocassions. I will see him this week but my question is, were his recommendations the right thing to do? Were they left in too long? Will this worsen the scarring? The incisions were in my hairline

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello nenaSutures are removed in 1-2 weeks, patients can return to work before they are removed, this also depends on the surgeon. You should visit or contact your plastic surgeon about this concern.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I suggest that you discuss the particulars of your sutures with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. Most often, a brow lift is performed as an endoscopic procedure with small sutures in the hairline. Once the procedure is done, the incisions are closed with removable or absorbable sutures.
Best wishes,

Inessa Fishman, MD · Answer

While practices differ depending on surgeon preference and training, in general, hairline incisions are closed with absorbable sutures that are either removed at 1-2 weeks post-operatively, or are allowed to dissolve on their own.  One may speed the resolution of absorbable sutures by moistening them with hydrogen peroxide, or witch hazel (preferred on non-blonde, non-white hair).  In general, hairline incisions heal well.  Please discuss your concerns with your surgeon, and follow his/ her recommendations in the post-operative period.  Good luck in your recovery.

BROW LIFT PROVIDERS NEAR YOU

I had a lateral browlift over 6 weeks ago and still have stitches, should they be removed?

Answers (3)

BROW LIFT PROVIDERS NEAR YOU