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.

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.

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.

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 !

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

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

Answers (9)

Answer: Sutures

Answer: Sutures

Answer: MMO

Answer: MMO

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Everything you need to know about Mommy Makeover

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