Use of Goretex sutures for facelift and brow lift - will I feel it inside my body after surgery?

Question

I am considering a facelift and endoscopic brow lift with a plastic surgeon who uses Gore-tex sutures for both. I'm nervous about having permanent sutures left inside my body. I am also nervous about having something attached to my skull. Will I feel these things inside my body after the surgery, and will they be irritating? Or is this standard procedure? Is Gore-Tex the best option?

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Many surgeon myself included use permanent sutures in facelifts. If the sutures are too big you could feel the knots as lumps but that rarely happens

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Permanent sutures, including Gore-Tex, can be used in facelift and brow lift surgery, and many patients do not feel them once healing is complete. In the early healing period, some tightness, pulling, or awareness of the operated area can happen, but a well-placed deep suture is usually not something you should constantly feel inside the body.

That said, no material is perfect. Permanent sutures can rarely be palpable, irritating, infected, or need removal, depending on where they are placed and how your tissues heal. Fixation to the skull in an endoscopic brow lift may sound alarming, but it is a form of anchoring the elevated tissue and there are several accepted methods for doing this. Gore-Tex is not automatically the “best” option for everyone; it is one of several choices. I would ask your surgeon exactly where the sutures will be placed, whether any knot or fixation point could be felt, what alternatives they use, and how often they have had to remove or revise this material.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. GORE-TEX sutures are commonly used in cosmetic surgery, and the types of sutures used will depend on the surgeon’s technique or surgical approach, as well as the desired results of the patient. And yes, these sutures may be palpable after surgery but should be fixable. 
You may consider a PDO thread lift that uses absorbable polydioxanone stitches to lift the skin and balance facial proportions. It is important that you feel safe and confident about your surgery. I recommend consulting with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Your surgeon will be able to address all your concerns, fully discuss the surgical procedure, and ensure the best possible results.

George Bitar, MD · Answer

The type of suture used during surgery is dependent on the surgeon and is determined by the surgeon’s experience and training.  There are always multiple ways to perform a procedure and get a great result.  Goretex sutures are permanent, so they will not go away.  Depending on the size of the suture and thickness of the overlying skin and fat, the suture knots may be felt after the surgery.  The sutures would not otherwise be felt or cause irritation.

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

There is variability in the type of sutures plastic surgeons use during Facelift.  Longer last absorbable sutures helps hold the facial tissue in position while the body heals.  Adequate undermining helps reposition the SMAS in place with mainly absorbable sutures.
For Endoscopic brow lift may surgeons use a skull anchoring technique.
Gore-tex is permanent suture and that decision is best addressed with one's surgeon directly.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

I am not sure about purpose of permanent sutures in facial and forehead surgery? These are permanent, but very soft sutures; in time tissue will grow into the sutures. They may be difficult to remove if needed, for that reason? Good luck.

Vasfi Celik, MD · Answer

Hello,The Goretex Sutures are sutures that the body can dissolve on its own. Their absorbable feature will not make you feel irritating. You will not feel these sutures inside your body. Regards.

Use of Goretex sutures for facelift and brow lift - will I feel it inside my body after surgery?

Answers (7)

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