How Long After Eyelid Surgery Should Stitches Be Removed?

Question

My doctor is removing mine 13 days after surgery. It's been 9 days and my eyelids are getting really sore & tight feeling. Everything I read says they should be removed after 5-7 days. But her office said she always does around 10 days. But she's on vacation that's why I have to wait longer. Is that okay?

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

13 days seems to be a little long to wait before having them removed, and I’m sorry to hear that the reason the removal has been delayed is because she’s on vacation. Perhaps you can see if a secondary board certified plastic surgeon at her practice could remove them for you? Sometimes, practices have multiple surgeons and when one surgeon is away, another surgeon is entrusted to take over.

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

Waiting almost 13 days is not ideal, as the sutures will be a bit more difficult to remove. Most offices will have staff [nurse or medical assistant] that can remove stitches. If they refuse, ask them to refer you to a colleague that can remove the sutures.

Kami K. Parsa, MD · Answer

I personaly use a type of suture that needs to be removed about 5 to 7 days after upper eyelid surgery. On the lower eyelids the incision I make is so small that most of the time it does not require any stitching.

Amiya Prasad, MD · Answer

About 1 week is normal for removing sutures after blepharoplasty. Waiting 2 weeks after a blepharoplasty follow-up with your doctor is a bit overdue, and you don't want to risk an infection.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

I agree that 13 days is too long.  Personally, I do not perform surgeries which require suture removal of this kind while I am on vacation unless a covering physician is available and, even then, prefer to remove the sutures myself.  If you are concerned, ask her office who is covering for her and if they can arrange an appointment for you.

How Long After Eyelid Surgery Should Stitches Be Removed?

Answers (7)