5 weeks post op rhinoplasty. What kind of stitches are these? Will removing them alter the results? (photos)

Although it is impossible to know for sure without being your surgeon, the color of the suture you show in the photo is often a permanent non dissolvable suture.  Even if it is a dissolvable type, if it has not fallen out by 5 weeks, is a suture placed in the skin and is causing inflamation/irritation, it probably should be removed. It does not appear to be a structural suture as it has "long tails".  I think you should send that picture to your surgeon and ask him/her what type of suture it is and what he suggests doing.  If he/she is not reachable you might want to see another surgeon nearby and get their opinion. Good luck.

Dear LolaELb,
Thank you for your question. I can make out what appears to be a stitch in the first picture but the picture is not very clear. In the second picture the suture appears to have been left long intentionally. I think these are meant to be removed. However, it is best to check with your surgeon. Removing it should not alter the final result.
Dr. Terence Goh, MBBS (S'pore), MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (S'pore)Fellow, Academy of Medicine, Singapore (Plastic Surgery)President, Singapore Association of Plastic Surgeons (SAPS)International Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Overall, the nose looks like it is healing well from the photos.  Most surgeons use a combination of dissolvable and permanent sutures for an external/open rhinoplasty.   Since it has been 5 weeks since surgery, these are most likely a form of permanent suture, but sutures can vary surgeon to surgeon, especially if you had the surgery outside of the US.  It is unfortunate that you cannot follow up with your surgeon.  It would be ideal if you could see a rhinoplasty surgeon in your area to examine the nose.  In my opinion, there is little risk to removing these sutures at this point, especially if they have become infected recently.