My Absorbable sutures in neck and under ears are not absorbed after 3 months and are causing pain. Advice? (photo)

Different strokes for different folks I say !There are countless ways to technically perform facial tightening procedures, and there are even more ways to use sutures to optimize the final result.  Personally I use 3-0 PDS sutures to plicate or imbricate the deeper facial layers (SMAS), and occasionally  there can be the occasional irritation from one of these sutures.  Additionally, less than 1% of the time these sutures can actually extrude thru the skin, but more often than not, the PDS will gradually dissolve in the 6-9 months following the surgery.  I have used these sutures in the deep tissues since 1986, and I have never had to cut thru the skin to remove one, but never say never.  Go back to your surgeon for an assessment.......

your surgeon should be able to remove them. its easily done under local anesthesia and should take care of the problem.

Thanks for the photo.  Sutures can be used in this area to help suspend and reposition the platysma muscle.  If absorbable sutures are used they typically take 6 - 9mths to dissolve.  If there is persistent or irritation over the are then it should be relatively straightforward to remove. It's unlikely another surgeon or GP will remove it for you. Discussing it further with your surgeon is recommended, he may have very valid reasons to leave it alone.  Best wishes

Thank you for your question.  The absorbable sutures can take 9 months to dissolve in some cases.  I would recommend touching base with your plastic surgeon.  Worse case- they can make a small nick and remove the stitch.  All the best. 

Thank you for your question and picture.  Even absorbable sutures can take a little while to complete dissolve and sometimes the body will try and reject so your surgeon can remove.  All The Best 

As long as the suture is absorbable, it would be very unusual for it not to completely disappear EVENTUALLY.  This usually happens in 3-4 months, but I have seen it take up to a year in some individual.

Many dissolving sutures used to suspend or anchor soft tissue can take 6 or even 9 months to dissolve. If this is causing significant discomfort horse racing to push through the skin then it may be worth considering removing it. However, there's still opportunity for it to dissolve by itself.

There are two types of Plication sutures that can be used in a facelift. One of them is dissolvable and the other is not. The typical dissolvable one dissolves over about 180 days however everybody is a little bit different, some dissolve sooner and some take longer. If they did indeed use a dissolvable suture then give it a bit more time and it should go away on its own closer to the six month mark.

Hello,It is not unusual for absorbable stitches to take longer than 3-4 months to dissolve and  these sutures are pretty easily removed with a small amount of local anesthetic in the office.  You need to contact with your surgeon to remove it.

It is not unusual for absorbable stitches to take longer than 3 months to dissolve and I would see your PS if there are any stitches that could be easily trimmed in the clinic.