Is it okay if a stitch is left in?

Absorbable sutures are required to close the wound and separate the implant from the outside world.  Some of those superficial sutures can 'work' their way to the surface, and can be annoying.  It is best to see your PS to remove those sutures promptly to allow the wound to close promptly.  

I use dissolvable stitches for my Breast Augmentation procedures. Sometimes a dissolvable stitch can protrude through the skin and cause irritation, If this is the case the stitch can be trimmed at the skin, plucked away or left to fall away on its own.  If there is a non-dissolvable stitch remaining it should be removed sooner rather than later.  Please make an appointment with your surgeon or local GP so they can assess the wounds and remove any remaining stitches if necessary.

Thanks for your question...You surgeon may have used absorbable sutures and should not cause any harm if one was left in. However if its bothering you, please see the nurse to get it removed.You can learn more on our social media (Instagram and Snapchat): @realdrsix.

Regards,

Thank you for your question.  I would recommend you to call your surgeon and find out if they are sutures that will dissolve or sutures that need to be removed and follow their instructions. 

Hello and best regards ¡
Sutures left in your body will be coming out with the pass of the time,they are not a problem  or harmful,you can remove it with a nurse or in your post medical check with your surgeon,it depends a lot in the surgeon most of the surgeons now are using absorbable sutures to avoid that discomfort but its part of the process,go to your medical check,you will be fine ¡

Best wishes and regards ¡

Thank you for your question.It is advisable to get the stitch taken out as soon as you can especially if it is bothersome now.

What is important is if this stitch is a permanent one or an absorbable one. An absorbable stitch is usually placed in an intra-dermal fashion. In such cases, the end of the stich might come out of the skin, in which case can cause disturbance specially when touching clothing. If this is the case, the stitch can be cut using a fine end scissors. On the other hand, if the stitch is a non absorbable one, it should be removed in the shortest time period This is due to 2 reasons:
1. The stitch will cause a more visible scar.
2. It will be more difficult and pianful to remove it later.
It should be taken into account that for a stitch placed externally not to cause a visible scar, th stitch should be removed 3-5 days post surgery.
Hope this helps,
Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

We recommend you discuss your options with the surgeon as there are many ways you can go about managing this issue.  We generally will have patients, assuming it's not too cumbersome, come in to the office to have a protruding, bothersome stitch assessed and possibly removed.  Leaving a non dissolvable suture in placed for too long may result in unwanted "tracking" and discoloration. 

Hi. Absorbable sutures usually do not have to be removed unless the body is pushing them up through the skin instead of breaking them down--I'm assuming you had external, non-absorbable sutures.  I recommend having it removed if your surrounding swelling has resolved (otherwise the edges can split) so that you get a similar scar appearance.  Skin can grow in around the stitch and leave a "track" mark. 

I tell my patients that they can either keep it protected from clothing with ointment & a band aid or they can stop in to the clinic to have one of the nurses clip it.  Give your surgeon a call to find out if she or he has a preference.  Good luck!Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring