Is it ok to wait 21 days to have my stitches removed after an upper eyelid surgery? (Photo)

Question

I have been told I have to wait 21 days to have stitches removed from my eyelids after eyelid sergary. It's 5 days since the sergary and it is very itchy

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Stitches (sutures) on the upper eyelid are typically left in for 5-7 days.  I normally remove then at about 6-7 days.  I would contact your surgeon's office and question them about the timing of the removal of your sutures.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Twenty one days is far too long.  Call the surgoen's office and arrange to have these sutures removed before then.  The stitches will cause tracks and cysts.  For that reason, it is best to have the sutures removed as soon as the wound is strong enough which takes place at 5 to 7 days.

Alyson Wells, MD, FACS · Answer

Following upper blepharoplasty, sutures are typically removed around 7 days after the procedure.  There may be some specific reason that your surgeon is waiting a bit longer than usual, but my suggestion is to definitely call them and specifically ask if indeed your understanding about the time of removal is correct.  Best wishes.

Katherine Whipple, MD · Answer

Sutures are typically removed 5-7 days PO. I suggest you contact your surgeon. Three weeks seems a bit too long. If you were prescribed a medicated ointment applying that on the incisions may ease the itching in the meantime.

Robert S. Schmidt, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Looks like a good early result. 21 days would be a long time to wait. I typically remove upper eyelid sutures at day 5. You have to be careful with your lids when the sutures are removed though because the tissue remains very delicate for a couple of weeks. Ask your surgeon's office again about when to come back. Good luck!

Michael J. Rodriguez, MD, FAACS -Account Suspended · Answer

A typical upper eyelid procedure will have the stitches removed in 1 week.  This gives theskin time to heal adequately.  Leaving stitches in longer than 7 days may lead to other complications, I recommend you call your surgeon back and have this done within the 7 day timeframe.

Is it ok to wait 21 days to have my stitches removed after an upper eyelid surgery? (Photo)

Answers (6)

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