Do Inner Anchoring Stitches Take Longer to Heal Than Dissolving Outer Stitches?

Question

I have a couple of questions.

	Do the inner anchoring stitches take longer to heal than the dissolving outer ones?

	Why do incisions blow apart/separate on TL and what are the usual methods of healing and how long can that take?

	Thanks.

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

Depending on the surgeon, deep anchoring sutures for a thigh lift are usually very strong absorbable sutures or permanent sutures.  If they are the dissolving kind, it can take 1-2 years for those sutures to dissolve.  They have to be strong enough to hold the tension while everything heals over the course of a few months.  If they are permanent, they will always be there.

	The scars have a tendency to widen with a thigh lift because there is always alot of tension on them, from sitting/standing/etc.  It is one of the downsides of the thigh lift - the incisions do not always heal as well as we would like.  I hope this helps.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding inner anchoring stitches. To clarify, stitches do not heal. Stitches keep tissue together, and the tissue around the suture heals. If you mean how long anchoring stitches dissolve, that depends on the suture. There are permanent sutures that last a lifetime. Other sutures last about 3-4 days after dissolving. Anchoring sutures are permanent sutures chich attach fascia and overlying tissue to neighboring bone or periosteum (layer surrounding bone); in regards to your question regarding why incisions blow out or separate after a thigh lift. This depends on many factors; the most common reason a thigh lift incision opens is the patient physical activity. Usually, a patient is walking too much. It can also be due to the area's anatomy,h has many lymphatics. Lymphatic vessels and lymphatic channels can make healing complicated. In addition, the inner thigh has hair follicles and sweat glands, making healing challenging. In addition, the garment can also dig into the incision and cause wound opening. Thigh lifts can also open because the body rejects certain sutures due to a reaction to the suture or an infection. Most patients are healed by approximately 4-6 weeks. Most of the swelling is gone by eight weeks. Patients should plan to take two weeks off from work and general activities. Elective exercise should be considered at 6-8 weeks if you have swelling post-operatively. You will need to wear your compression garments longer. I hope this helps answer your question about whether inner anchoring stitches take longer to heal. Thank you for your question.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It's not unusual for massive weight loss patients to develop loose thigh skin. When this situation arises, thigh lift surgery is frequently indicated. This procedure often involves excision of skin in both the transverse and vertical dimensions. The procedure places an incision in the groin crease which is extended along the inner thigh towards the knee.Unfortunately, these procedures are frequently associated with wound breakdown and spread of scars, especially in the groin area. Wound breakdown occurs for a variety of reasons, but the most significant factor is probably tension on the wound closure.In an effort to minimize tension, deep non-absorbable sutures are placed to decrease tension on the closure. It's important to understand that these are permanent sutures that don't resorb. When these sutures are used, it takes approximately six to eight weeks for the wound to gain most of it's pre-operative strength.The superficial closure is performed with absorbable sutures. These sutures typically resorb in two to three months. It's not unusual for these sutures to work their way to the surface of the wound and cause areas of breakdown. When this happens, local wound care is appropriate. Most of these wounds heal nicely and don't require scar revision. Rarely, adverse scarring occurs. Under these circumstances, simple scar revision usually provides adequate correction.If you're concerned about wound healing following thigh lift surgery, consultation with your plastic surgeon is appropriate. Your surgeon should be able to address your concerns and alleviate your anxiety.The superficial closure is performed with absorbable sutures. These sutures typically resorb in two to three months. It's not unusual for these sutures to work their way to the surface of the wound and cause areas of breakdown. When this happens, local wound care is appropriate. Most of these wounds heal nicely and don't require scar revision. Rarely adverse scarring occurs.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Medial thigh lift where the incision is in the grion area are under tension. There are few stitches that has to be anchored to the deep fascia or the periostium of the pubis, under the labia, to hold the scar in position and prevent it from migration and dehescence. They can not hold and pull on the labia, or descend to the upper thigh.These sutures are permanent sutures the rest of the sutures are disolving long term. The wounds need care constatntly, clean dry and apply antibiotic cream.

	These scar can be extended to lift the anterior  and lateral thigh

Do Inner Anchoring Stitches Take Longer to Heal Than Dissolving Outer Stitches?

Answers (4)

Answer: Medial thigh lift

Answer: Medial thigh lift

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Everything you need to know about Thigh Lift

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Do Inner Anchoring Stitches Take Longer to Heal Than Dissolving Outer Stitches?

Answers (4)

Answer: Medial thigh lift

Answer: Medial thigh lift

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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.