Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

see all q&a
Posted underMohs Surgery q&a

Question about internal sutures after MOHS surgery? (photo)

Rp082013Nov 27, 2013
It has been about two months and my surgery site was looking great. I noticed what looked like a scab that didn't go away. Then it started protruding out more, it is a dark piece of something. I tried to pull on it and it didn't go anywhere. Now my site is red and swollen and hot To touch. I am not sure if it is a suture or what it is. Could y'all describe what a suture would look like? I've seen them before but was confused bc this seems too thick.

Answers (4)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Hooman Khorasani, MD profile photo
Dr. Hooman Khorasani, MD
Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
4.9 | 66 Reviews
Answered on Nov 28, 2018
Answer
Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS profile photo
Dr. Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.9 | 126 Reviews
Answered on Nov 29, 2013
Answer
🔗 Link
Dr. Laurie Jacobson, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Answered on Nov 29, 2013
Answer
Dr. Omar Ibrahimi, MD, PhD
Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
Answered on Dec 3, 2013
Answer

More Mohs Surgery Questions

Top Answer
User Avatar
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

This varies from person to person and case to case. Typically the lip can be swollen for several days, and even for over a week or two, but then returns to normal. Ice or cold compresses may help to ameliorate this swelling, as will elevation of the head (perhaps on 1-2 extra pillows at night)...

+3 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

This is probably okay given your description, but if there is any question, it is better to not use makeup yet until it is fully healed, usually around 6-8 weeks after surgery. The best advice for ultimate good healing and for minimizing scar, is to keep the new wound covered as you have, and...

+3 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

It is not recommended that you injest scabs. The wound should be allowed to heal naturally, and if accidental ingestion does occur, it would pass through the digestive system and out of your body the next time you relieve yourself.

+3 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

No. As surgeons, we can work around hair accordingly, if needed. Sometimes the hair will be cut around the area of the tumor, if need be. Also too, shaving can potentially increase the risk of wound infection, if done within 24 hours of a surgery, as this can lift superficial skin cells and...

+2 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

Thank you for your question. Soap and water is actually perfectly fine to run over the healing wound for cleaning, and is often recommended. Hydrogen peroxide should be reserved for wounds with fibrin within them (lacy white-colored tissue within early healing wounds), and should be used only...

+4 answers
Top Answer
User Avatar
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

If there is fibrin in the wound (early, healing tissue), then 1-2 times of cleaning the wound with hydrogen peroxide is okay, in order to lift some of the fibrin off of the healing wound (debridement). In general, any more use of this than that is not recommended, as hydrogen peroxide is known...

+3 answers
See all Mohs Surgery Q&A
See more Mohs Surgery Q&As
See all Q&As
SEE MOHS SURGERY GUIDE →