Is it common to be spitting stitches a year after a breast augmentation? Can it cause an infection? (photos)

Thanks for your question!
It is not unusual to have a spitting stitch months after the surgery. Give your surgeon a call to have them taken care off. Best wishes!

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph and I am sorry to hear of your healing difficulties. Although it would be rare, it is possible to have a suture spit at a year after surgery if your body was unable to break it down. Best to discuss treatments with your surgeon and should future surgery be needed, a different suture material should be used.

Dear Jubilant643931,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

You probably have a permanent suture that is causing inflammation (not necessarily infection). A permanent pursestring suture around the areola is often used with a circumareolar technique (i. e. Benelli mastopexy) and occasionally it will become inflamed and needs to be removed. It does not dissolve or absorb. It can usually be removed in the office with a small amount of local anesthesia.

If your dissolvable sutures are not dissolving or taking a long time to dissolve, or you have permanent sutures close to the skin, these can try to dissolve and could become infected.

It isn't common but not impossible that a suture could come to the surface even a year after surgery. Typically they are easily addressed with minor home care. However from your description it sounds like you unfortunately have had healing issues. I encourage you to speak with your surgeon to ensure the area heals properly.

I really need more information on what procedures you had...periareolar mastopexy vs a lollipop or anchor one.
It is not uncommon for patients to spit suture knots even months after surgery, but not a year (the dissolving sutures usually are absorbed in 1-3 months). When performing a periareolar lift, a permanent suture is placed which may cause issues even one year later.
Most spitting sutures do not pose infection issues.

Greetings,
I am sorry to hear that your body has reacted so poorly to absorbable sutures. Chronic draining wounds from an old incision overlying a breast implant is most concerning.
Have you had any other symptoms with this breast which are suggestive of a more chronic underlying process? Hardess? Pain? Swelling? Fever? Redness of the breast tissue? An ultrasound or a mammogram may help evaluate the problem area and the tissue beneath it.
Perhaps a second opinion could give you some peace of mind.
Best Regards,