Should I pull and snip a dissolvable stitch that is poking out?

Dear Numee, At our practice, if a patient can easily grasp the suture and, without pulling on it, snip it so that it is flush with the skin then we allow them to do that at home. Otherwise, we ask that they return to the office to have it removed by us. I would confirm with your surgeon's office that it is fine to trim it yourself before trying anything. Once it is flush with the skin, the remainder of the suture should dissolve on its own. Good luck!

Ask your surgeon or surgeon's office this question directly. They will be able to provide you with instructions regarding stitch removal or they may prefer you go to the office and allow them to do it for you. Best wishes. 

I think you should call your plastic surgeon's office to get advice before proceeding to remove any stitches yourself. The office will guide you and let you know if removing that particular suture is required by your surgeon or they feel that this is something that you can do.

Exposed to sutures are very common in many different procedures. I would recommend that you call your plastic surgeon and run it by them. Most likely, you would get the go-ahead to snip the suture. It is not unusual to create a little bleeding when you do this, so don't be alarmed, and all you have to do is place a Band-Aid on it. If you find that the suture is more difficult to get out than you anticipated, I suggest you see your plastic surgeon to let them handle it.

It is quite common for a stitch to poke through the wound following surgery. If it is absorbable then it will usually drop off at about 3-4 weeks. If I see someone in my clinic with a stitch poking through I would normally pull on it gently and cut it off flush with the skin. Often at 3-4 weeks it just pulls away anyway.I would expect your plastic surgeon or their nurse to help you with such an issue and you should check with them before trying to remove any stitch. With my patients I would be comfortable with them trimming their own stitch if they were happy to do so. Clearly it is essential to use sterile forceps (tweezers) and scissors. I would also ask my patients if they had a friend or relative who was a nurse as it is usually easier for someone else to do these things.I advise you to check with your surgeon before doing anything with respect to your surgery.Best wishes

If you're used to doing those things, by all means do it, 3 weeks after breast reduction and lift should be ok. But a better thing to do would be to ask your surgeon and visit his/her clinic to have this done. Sound as though things are going well, you don't want to complicate a smooth recovery but a DIY, your surgeon will want to see you and have his nurse/himself have it done.
Wishing you the best in your journey.
Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney 

Discuss with your surgeon for their recommendation.  In my practice, I'm usually happy for patients to grasp the end of the suture (without pulling it) and cut off the suture so its flush with the skin.  You need to take your time and do this with care. Once you have snipped the end off it the suture usually resolves without any further complication.

This question is best to ask directly to your board-certified surgeon. They will be able to provide you with instructions regarding
stitch removal or they may prefer you go to the office.

It most likely is ok to do what you describe, but it is safer to have your surgeon do it for you. Best to discuss with him.