How Long to Wait to Remove Stitches After Tummy Tuck?

Question

I had a tummy tuck two weeks ago. I got both my drains out the same day which my doc said he NEVER does. My nurse called today to ask some questions she didnt even know both tubes were taken out. she canceled my appts for the next two weeks and told me to come back on the 22nd to get my stiches removed. thats FOUR weeks after my tt date! is that too long to wait? are they going to grow into my skin? PLEASE PLEASE HELP!! thank you.

Ankit Desai, MD · Answer

I normally use only dissolving sutures under the skin to close the incision from a tummy tuck. If you have sutures that need to be removed, they should be removed within 2 weeks to prevent railroad track scars. Less than 7 days is ideal, but it depends on whether your surgeon used any deeper sutures to prevent the wound from opening up.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Absorbable sutures are used in the
vast majority of patients who undergo abdominoplasty surgery.Technically, these sutures don’t require
removal, but occasionally they work their way to the surface and protrude
through the skin.Under these
circumstances they need to be removed before they become secondarily
infected.These sutures can protrude
through the skin at any point in the post-operative course.These sutures are often placed in
the dermis during wound closure.In this
position they take tension off the wound closure and minimize the potential for
spread of the scars.After two months
the wound has regained most of its tensile strength.At this point, these sutures no longer serve
a purpose and can be removed without consequences.In some cases, surgeons utilize non
absorbable sutures.These are typically
removed in 7 to 10 days but may be left in place for longer periods depending
upon the situation.In this particular case, there appears
to be significant confusion regarding your post-operative care.Under these circumstances, it’s imperative
that you meet with your plastic surgeon.Hopefully, once your questions are answered, your surgeons rationale
will become clear.

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

You describe a puzzling series of events- it sounds like your drains are out and you are doing okay. It would be unusual for non-absorbable sutures to be kept in place for 4 weeks. If you have sutures that you can SEE, and they are holding your incision together, keeping these sutures in place for a prolonged period of time will leave marks on your skin. This business is all about commnication: call up the office and ask to speak to the plastic surgeon. He/she should explain to you the next steps in your treatment plan.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

I agree with my colleagues. A lot of the sequence of events do not really make sense.
Tummy Tuck drains, unlike Facelift drains, are usually kep in more than a day or two until drainage has come down. When permanent stitches are used (most of us use dissolving burried stitches that do not need to be removed), they are removed by 7 days IF they are interrupted, as it sounds like you had, and a little longer if a burried subcuticular (running in the skin). It does not make much sense to leave permanent sutures in that long.
I would advise you to contact your surgeon's office because it sounds like there has been a miscommunication between you.

Nina S. Naidu, MD, FACS · Answer

This scenario is a little confusing, as we generally use dissolvable sutures during tummy tuck surgery, and non-dissolvable sutures usually come out after one week or so.  I suggest calling your surgeon's office and asking to speak to the doctor directly to clarify the timing of your appointments.  Good luck, /nsn.

How Long to Wait to Remove Stitches After Tummy Tuck?

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How Long to Wait to Remove Stitches After Tummy Tuck?

Answers (7)

Answer: Timing of Stitch Removal after Tummy Tuck

Answer: Timing of Stitch Removal after Tummy Tuck

Answer: Suture removal after tummy tuck surgery

Answer: Suture removal after tummy tuck surgery

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.