Leftover stitches resurface 6 months post op?

Question

Some blue stitches are resurfacing six months post op. Understandable as I had a billion of them. But they are much longer than anticipated. Is there anything I can apply to bring others to the surface?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding blue stitches after a plastic surgery procedure. These sutures sound like prolene sutures. Prolene sutures are permanent sutures; they do not dissolve. Some surgeons use these types of sutures in the dermal or subdermal layers. Usually, these sutures are removed. If these prolene sutures are not removed, it is conceivable to have these sutures pop out six months post-op or even years later. This is one of the many reasons I do not use prolene sutures for my plastic surgery patients. The dermal, running sutures are much longer because they run the whole length of the incision or until the suture ends. There is nothing you can apply to accelerate the sutures coming to the surface. If the sutures are visible and since you are six months post-op, I would suggest having your plastic surgeon remove those sutures in the office. It can be done easily. Thank you for your question regarding blue stitches coming to the skin surface. If you have any questions regarding questions stitches or plastic surgery, call my office.
Thank you,
Dr. Timothy Kazten

Clayton Crantford, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your recent surgery. Spitting sutures are common following surgery like a thighplasty, unfortunately there is no magic cream or lotion to make them surface. As they work their way to the surface I recommend removing them. Continue to closely follow up with your plastic surgeon until you are fully healed. Best of luck.

Ira H. Rex lll, MD · Answer

Having sutures exposed after a number of months is not an unusual event. It is usually not interfere with the results of your surgery. Some of the sutures may have been meant to be absorbed by this time. Either way, you should see your plastic surgeon for what usually is a very simple removal of the sutures.

Rohit Jaiswal, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Resurfacing of sutures, or as we call them "spitting sutures" can sometimes occur after surgical procedures. The sutures will sometimes make their way through the skin and become visible. The treatment at that point is to simply remove the sutures as they become visible. 
There are no treatments needed for trying to bring out other sutures. Hopefully they will stay in place and never get exposed (you are likely describing permanent suture). If they do, bring it to the attention of your surgeon so these can be removed. I do not recommend for my patients to try and remove spitting sutures themselves. 
Best wishes, 
Rohit Jaiswal, MD 
Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas, NV

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

The best thing to do would be to return to your surgeon to have this examined and to remove them if they are causing you trouble.

Leftover stitches resurface 6 months post op?

Answers (6)

Answer: Spitting Stitches

Answer: Spitting Stitches

Answer: Leftover stitches

Answer: Leftover stitches

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Leftover stitches resurface 6 months post op?

Answers (6)

Answer: Spitting Stitches

Answer: Spitting Stitches

Answer: Leftover stitches

Answer: Leftover stitches

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Everything you need to know about Thigh Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.