Non dissolving stitch is sitting on brow bone, 10 weeks post surgery. (10 weeks post upper/lower bleph) It feels like a little knot directly under the skin, which remains puffy immediately around that stitch. It is mildly tender, but not discolored. Other brow did not have this problem. Doc seems baffled. If he goes in to remove it, will I risk a droopy lower lid, or whatever the stitch is supposed to hold? Doc seems baffled, so I'm concerned. Any input is invited!
Answer: "Worst mistake ever" does not inspire confidence.
First, let's remember that having questions answered by strangers who have not examined you is entertainment and not the practice of medicine.
WIthout an examination and a review of your medical records, it is hard to know precisely what is going on. Presumably there is more going on here than just a palpable suture at the eyebrow.
Standard blepharoplasty does not involve leaving suture at the brow bone. So immediately one thinks that perhaps a browpexy or internal brow fixation was done. This should have been discussed with you before surgery, in which case, the presence of a palpable suture at the eyebrow should not be a big surprise. If the doctor did this as an undiscussed aspect of the blepharoplasty, it does not make him a bad doctor, this might be considered part of the paragraph in the consent that says you give your surgeon the power to use his or her discretion to modify the surgery as necessary. However, most eyelid surgeons would discuss this with you ahead of time. Explanations after the fact don't inspire confidence.
If your surgeon does not know what this bump is, I personally would be reluctant to advise you to have them explore it surgically. If they are telling you that it is a suture, then they also have some explaining to do. If the suture is absorbable material, I would give it many more months to completely disappear and save yourself a procedure.
If your surgeon it not making a whole lot of sense to you, I would recommend getting a second (or third) opinion even if these other doctors simply confirm that the surgeon you are seeing is on the right track. Hope that helps.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: "Worst mistake ever" does not inspire confidence.
First, let's remember that having questions answered by strangers who have not examined you is entertainment and not the practice of medicine.
WIthout an examination and a review of your medical records, it is hard to know precisely what is going on. Presumably there is more going on here than just a palpable suture at the eyebrow.
Standard blepharoplasty does not involve leaving suture at the brow bone. So immediately one thinks that perhaps a browpexy or internal brow fixation was done. This should have been discussed with you before surgery, in which case, the presence of a palpable suture at the eyebrow should not be a big surprise. If the doctor did this as an undiscussed aspect of the blepharoplasty, it does not make him a bad doctor, this might be considered part of the paragraph in the consent that says you give your surgeon the power to use his or her discretion to modify the surgery as necessary. However, most eyelid surgeons would discuss this with you ahead of time. Explanations after the fact don't inspire confidence.
If your surgeon does not know what this bump is, I personally would be reluctant to advise you to have them explore it surgically. If they are telling you that it is a suture, then they also have some explaining to do. If the suture is absorbable material, I would give it many more months to completely disappear and save yourself a procedure.
If your surgeon it not making a whole lot of sense to you, I would recommend getting a second (or third) opinion even if these other doctors simply confirm that the surgeon you are seeing is on the right track. Hope that helps.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
June 11, 2011
Answer: Non dissolving stitch below eyebrow
Probably a little more information would be helpful, namely what type of suture the surgeon used. If it is a dissolving suture, I would elect a wait and see approach. But if it is a permanent suture and it is bothering you, then I would ask your surgeon to remove it. I do not think there is much risk of drooping of your eyelid or brow from doing this.
Helpful
June 11, 2011
Answer: Non dissolving stitch below eyebrow
Probably a little more information would be helpful, namely what type of suture the surgeon used. If it is a dissolving suture, I would elect a wait and see approach. But if it is a permanent suture and it is bothering you, then I would ask your surgeon to remove it. I do not think there is much risk of drooping of your eyelid or brow from doing this.
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June 8, 2011
Answer: Palpable suture after eyelid surgery
Worst mistake ever?
It is usually a 3 minute procedure to remove a retained suture, and patients can typically do this under local anesthesia and go to lunch afterward.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
June 8, 2011
Answer: Palpable suture after eyelid surgery
Worst mistake ever?
It is usually a 3 minute procedure to remove a retained suture, and patients can typically do this under local anesthesia and go to lunch afterward.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
June 8, 2011
Answer: 10 weeks is still in the early postop healing phase
Hi there,
Occasionally, surgeons will choose to use internal sutures during blepharoplasty. Reasons for the sutures may include internal brow supporting sutures, internal canthal tightening sutures, and orbicularis muscle tightening sutures in lower blepharoplasty. All these scenarios would involve having the suture pass into the orbital rim along the upper outer section of the orbit.
These sutures can cause focal local swelling and/or tenderness in the first few months after surgery. As long as there are no signs of increased swellng or redness, I would not be worried about risk of infection. Also, it is not uncommon for there to be asymmetry in the healing process, and so swelling/irritation on one side is a can certainly happen.
I would be patient and let things heal more. Continue to have an open dialogue with your surgeon about this issue. He or she may need to intervene if many months go by and you still have a little swelling or tenderness. Your surgeon may at that time decide that a minor procedure to excise the offending suture or to inject an antinflammatory medication may be an option.
Best wishes to you
Helpful
June 8, 2011
Answer: 10 weeks is still in the early postop healing phase
Hi there,
Occasionally, surgeons will choose to use internal sutures during blepharoplasty. Reasons for the sutures may include internal brow supporting sutures, internal canthal tightening sutures, and orbicularis muscle tightening sutures in lower blepharoplasty. All these scenarios would involve having the suture pass into the orbital rim along the upper outer section of the orbit.
These sutures can cause focal local swelling and/or tenderness in the first few months after surgery. As long as there are no signs of increased swellng or redness, I would not be worried about risk of infection. Also, it is not uncommon for there to be asymmetry in the healing process, and so swelling/irritation on one side is a can certainly happen.
I would be patient and let things heal more. Continue to have an open dialogue with your surgeon about this issue. He or she may need to intervene if many months go by and you still have a little swelling or tenderness. Your surgeon may at that time decide that a minor procedure to excise the offending suture or to inject an antinflammatory medication may be an option.
Best wishes to you
Helpful
Answer: Typically a dissolving suture is used under the lateral (side) eyebrow during blepharoplasty-may take 3-4 months to dissolve. Ask your doctor if he used a dissolving suture. Oten a suture is placed in this location to elevate the corner of the eyelids after Blepharoplasty. Typically Vicryl or other long lasting absorbable sutures are used and these can take months to dissolve. Ask your doctor if its OK to massage as this can speed dissolution. If the doctor used a permanent suture it is easy to remove
Helpful
Answer: Typically a dissolving suture is used under the lateral (side) eyebrow during blepharoplasty-may take 3-4 months to dissolve. Ask your doctor if he used a dissolving suture. Oten a suture is placed in this location to elevate the corner of the eyelids after Blepharoplasty. Typically Vicryl or other long lasting absorbable sutures are used and these can take months to dissolve. Ask your doctor if its OK to massage as this can speed dissolution. If the doctor used a permanent suture it is easy to remove
Helpful