Looking into mommy makeover with hernia but family member allergic to dissolvable sutures

Question

I'm looking at a tummy tuck, hernia repair, and breast augmentation. Why sutures are used? My sister had a breast augmentation with dissolvable sutures. Her body rejected them, a giant whole created in her boob, got infected. She had to live with that for a year before it was finally able to heal and be repaired. I'm terrified I may have a similar reaction. I don't want to get tummy tuck and have my body reject all the sutures. That.. i cannot imagine.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

There are very few people who are allergic to sutures. The fact that your sister had this type of allergy does not mean that you will have it! If in doubt, do one surgery at the time and see whether your will react the same way; that may be safer. You can also discuss this issue with your surgeon and, possibly, ask to have different type of sutures placed. Hope this helps.

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

Sutures are commonly used in surgical procedures such as tummy tucks, hernia repair, and breast augmentation to close the incisions made during the surgery. The purpose of sutures is to bring the edges of the incision together and help them heal properly.

There are different types of sutures, including absorbable and non-absorbable sutures. Absorbable sutures are designed to break down and be absorbed by the body over time, while non-absorbable sutures need to be removed by a healthcare provider.

It is possible for some individuals to have a reaction to sutures, including an allergic reaction or an infection. However, this is relatively rare, and the risk can be minimized by using high-quality surgical sutures and following proper surgical techniques.

To help reduce the risk of complications, it is important to choose a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon who has a strong track record of performing the procedures you are considering. Your surgeon can discuss the risks and benefits of using different types of sutures and help you make an informed decision based on your individual circumstances.

It is also important to follow your surgeon's post-operative care instructions closely, including keeping the incision site clean and dry, avoiding strenuous activity, and attending all follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress. If you experience any unusual symptoms, such as severe pain, fever, or signs of infection, it is important to contact your surgeon right away.

Best of luck !

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for raising your concerns about a potential allergy to dissolvable sutures, especially given your family member's experience.
While it's uncommon for such allergies to be genetic, it's wise to be cautious. I recommend finding out the exact type of sutures your relative reacted to and discussing alternatives with your surgeon.
You might also consider staging your surgeries, beginning with the tummy tuck and hernia repair to gauge any reactions. If all goes well, you can proceed with the breast surgery.
Always prioritize open communication with your surgeon for a safe and effective procedure.
Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen.

Eleonore Zetrenne, MD · Answer

This is a very unusual situation, if my patient had significant concern and family history, particularly a sister with suture issues, I would recommend that the surgeon make a small test incision under local in the mons area of the pubic and use the same sutures. The surgeon should monitor the healing for 6 weeks prior to surgery. You might also consider staging the surgeries. Do your tummy first.By doing a test incision, it may help alleviate your concerns.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

The hernia repair will use permanent sutures. If your sister just had just 1 area on 1 breast involved, then it was more a bacterial infection in the sutures than an actual allergic reaction. Otherwise , she would have reacted where ever she had sutures and on both breasts. Plus, there are several kinds of sutures.  You can also ask her surgeon what kind of sutures he/she used.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of the issues your sister experienced, but it doesn't necessarily mean she was allergic to the sutures.  Dissolvable sutures are designed to be broken down by your body over time. Sometimes a suture, or even a few sutures, may come to the surface.  They sometimes can lead to abscesses but typically these "spitting sutures" are handled easily in the office and heal well with minor home care.  Sutures are used to close tissue during surgical procedures.  In the case of a tummy tuck there are layers of tissue that are closed with sutures.  I encourage you to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Your story seems strange.  Patients are not commonly “allergic” to absorbable (dissolving) sutures as much as in rare cases they can “spit”, or come to the surface.  If truly allergic, your sister would’ve had a reaction in all areas of the sutures replaced, not just one side. That sounds more like an infection, which is not unheard of in any type of plastic surgical procedure. There are many types of absorbable sutures, so you may ask your sister to find out which ones were used and request that the surgeon uses a different product. Still, the store doesn’t seem to pan out.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Failure of wound healing can happen after surgery. This does not mean that somebody has an allergic reaction to suture material.
There are a whole host of reasons why wounds fail to close, separate after surgery or become infected.
True allergic reactions to suture material is almost unheard of.
Lots of people have absorbable sutures that may breakthrough scars an incision lines. I need to be removed after surgery. this is more of a mechanical problem and someways related to techniques used during surgery as well as individual patient’s ability to heal, including thickness of the dermis, etc.
It is unlikely that you have a baseline allergy to any suture material.
I suggest having multiple in person, consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons at which time you can discuss your concerns, including your family history.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

James McMahan, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Whoever told your sister that she was allergic reaction to the sutures is lying. Pure and simple.  Your sister had an infection.  Likely someone in her surgeons office blamed the infection on the sutures in an effort to divert responsibility for the complication.  Sutures are absolutely necessary to close incisions and repair the hernia as well as to tighten the abdominal muscles.  "Rejection" of sutures almost never happens.  Stop worrying.

Looking into mommy makeover with hernia but family member allergic to dissolvable sutures

Answers (9)

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