After stitches were removed from front and back of my ears after the Face/Neck Lift, I can see and feel NEW stitches coming out?

Question

Scars are amazingly invisible and not red. when i applied scar cream on my scars i can feel new stitches coming out...i went to my doctor, and he removed them ?! is this mean he did not see them or it is true that they come out in process of healing as he said? He said if they will come out again and it bothers you i will remove them, or they will dissolve.

Ben Lee, MD · Answer

For the most part, facelift incisions heal very well. Surgeons tend to use both absorbable sutures under surface, and permanent sutures on the surface which must be removed. Occasionally, the under the surface sutures can make their way to the surface, resulting in what most surgeons call "spitter" sutures. These are not unusual and are treated by plucking them out when they appear. This does not generally affect the overall result.

Raymond E. Lee, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing.  Suture can be absorbable or non absorbable. I usually use the absorbable behind the ear and hairline. We remove the non absorbable ones 1 week after surgery. We do partially remove some of absorbable and leave some behind. Sounds like your surgeon has done something similar. If it bothers you too much than make another appointment to check.  Sometimes you can have a hair caught in the incision and or suture line that may need to be teased out or the partly dissolved suture can be easily removed.  Glad you like your incisions and enjoy your results.  Faceliftting is a great procedure to make you look and feel young again.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Most likely, these sutures you describe are absorbable.  Many of us an absorbable monofilament suture known as monocryl in superficial and deep layers to assist in the closure of a facelift.  It is very nonreactive and the situation you are describing is not unusual.

Winfield Hartley, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It is common for sutures to spit out of incisions before they have a chance to dissolve.  I usually recommend having them removed if you can see or feel them.  Enjoy your facelift!

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question, its very common to use absorbable sutures, whether they are superficial or deeper.  The body can try to disperse these sutures and therefore work their way to the surface and therefore can be left until rejected, or be taken out if are irritating.  Please make sure you have regular follow up appointment with your surgeon.  All The Best

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question. It seems like you have some internal suture remnants that are being pushed out by the skin. This process is called "spitting" and it can be bothersome. Typically, the suture remnants can just be removed using a sterile tweezers or small scissor. If the area becomes red and inflamed, you should see your surgeon. Take care!

Mark Been, MD · Answer

Your surgeon may have elected to leave dissolvable sutures along your incision line, anticipating they would dissolve on their own. Sometimes that process takes longer than expected, so manual removal may be necessary. Alternatively, the stitches could have been deep layer, dissolvable stitches that migrated out from the incision line. In either case there should be no long term consequences. Best of luck!

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

I personally remove sutures in stages. The skin edges are initially swollen and delicate.  Rather than disturb things too much,  I would rather pick out a suture here or there as needed.  Healing is a process and takes time.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

Dissolvable sutures can be used for both the skin and also for the deep tissues.  When we take out the sutures, some may be inadvertently missed as they can be hard to see.  It is not a big issue since they will dissolve.  Deep sutures are meant to dissolve on their own, but they will sometimes start to push out through the skin.  They can then be removed.

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

It is common to use deep absorbable sutures during facelift procedures.  Sometimes these sutures can work their way to the surface and are then easily removed.  It sounds like this is what happened in your case.

After stitches were removed from front and back of my ears after the Face/Neck Lift, I can see and feel NEW stitches coming out?

Answers (18)

More Facelift Questions

Under eye holes - options? (photo)

I had a facelift done. What are the chances of getting a keloid on face?

Mini Face Lift at 21, is there any drawback to having surgery at this age? (photos)

Limited neck movement after facelift. When and will my movement return to normal?

Facelift swelling - 8 weeks post op. Jaw still swollen and tender, more on one side. (photo)

Pressure at temples 4 weeks after face lift.

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS