A small white plastic thing coming out of my incision. Are they going to dissolve or do I have to have them removed?

Question

After my tummy tuck, there was a small white plastic thing coming out of my incision. Now I'm three months out, and I feel s lot of the plastic things under my skin. I asked the nurse at one of my visits and she said they dissolve in your skin. However it's been 3 months now and it's still a lot & it hurts when I push on them & sometimes they break and I feel them crunch to pieces under my skin. Are they going to dissolve or do I have to have them removed?

Jose Perez-Gurri, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. There are surgeons who prefer to use absorbable sutures such as Insorb. They are suppose to be absorbed within months but at times the patient reacts in such a way that they start to reject the staples and they rise to the surface. This is what it looks like in your case. Please always follow up with your surgeon. Good luck, Dr PG

Afshin Parhiscar, MD · Answer

Dear Sexylady39Your description is consistent with absorbable staples. They can take some time to go away but generally dont cause significant discomfort. You should show the area to your surgeon to make sure its not something else.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

Your description sounds as if your surgeon used absorptive staples. They typically dissolve in a matter of months. You shouldn't need to have them removed unless they are causing pain or infection. Talk with your surgeon to be certain.

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

It sounds like you are describing absorbable staples that were likely placed during your surgery.  These usually slowly dissolve over several months.  Speak with your surgeon to discuss your concerns.

Angela Champion, MD · Answer

It sounds like your surgeon used dissolvable staples.  They should dissolve over the next several months.  It sounds like in your case, some are not dissolving and have begs to spit so it would be best to go see your surgeon for a follow up especially because it is causing you discomfort.  ac

A small white plastic thing coming out of my incision. Are they going to dissolve or do I have to have them removed?

Answers (5)