15 weeks post-op. Dissolvable staples - when will they dissolve? Is it normal to have them at this stage? (photo)

Question

I am 15 weeks post op and am wondering how long dissolvable staples and stitches take to actually dissolve. I saw my consultant this week who told me they will dissolve eventually but I’m surprised I can still see them at this stage, is this normal? I massage my scars twice a day and they look ok but the bumps that are visible all along the horizontal scar lines are making me worry, shouldn’t they be gone by now?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Tissue handling and precision of closure as well as genetics will have a greater effect with regard to scarring and healing. Dissolvable sutures are usually gone by now.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

The scars will heal after breast reduction. But this depends on several factors. For example, if the patient has white skin, the wound may heal longer. But if the patients have darker skin, patients can reach a faster result, of course gels and creams will help.

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

You should call your surgeon and ask them about that because different stitches are used for different purposes. If you need to remove the stitch, you can clean the area and use a sterlized pair of tweezers.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
Some sutures take longer than others to dissolve. If they start to cause pain, or you are concerned contact your surgeon to have the area looked at. Best wishes!

Matthew A. DelMauro, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) The appearance of your scars depends on a number of factors---including tension across the incision/scar, genetics, etc. From the day of surgery until approximately 1 year later, your scars will continue to mature (and hopefully improve). Be patient, and follow the instructions of your plastic surgeon. Best of luck!
Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.

Daniel Zeichner, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!Depending upon the type used, some absorbable subcuticular staples dissolve over a period of 6 months or so. Those "bumps" could be the result of inflammation about the dissolving staple..Continue followup with your plastic surgeon...and give it more time to heal.Best wishes...

Mark Soldin, MBChB · Answer

Many thanks for your query. From the picture you have sent, I see a linear scar and small punctate scars on each side. If your sutures were under the skin, it is unusual to get the punctate scars visible at 15 weeks. I think the sutures have dissolved already if monocryl or vicryl were used. I do not use dissolvable staples and cannot comment on these. The scars will improve in time ( 12-18 months )but will not ever be invisible.
Best
Mark

15 weeks post-op. Dissolvable staples - when will they dissolve? Is it normal to have them at this stage? (photo)

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