What happens if your skin heals over a nonabsorbable stitch? (photo)

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  While the external permanent suture may remain intact, they are meant to be temporary and probably should be removed.  Sometimes permanent sutures are used inside and are intended to stay in place I definitely. However, the external ones are typically meant to stay in place for a short period of time. Having the tissue grow over it is a potential, or if left too long “railroad track marks” may develop. Unsightly scars may occur. If it remains it should cause you no harm, but I would suggest that you have the suture removed to minimize scarring as well as rid the discoloration from the colored suture. Discuss with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes. 

contact your surgeon to see if he/she has a friend locally who can see you as a favor to check your concerns out.  Otherwise you can call around and see if any plastic surgeons will see you for a fee and get checked.  Permanent sutures that are poking out will have to be removed or at least trimmed so it can retract beneath the skin.  If your skin has truly grown over it, nothing adverse is anticipated to come of that and you can just watch it.

I would discuss with your plastic surgeon and ask if the suture you are seeing is meant to be temporary or permanent. Based on the photos and your description, it looks like a temporary non-absorbable suture that should be removed. If that is the case, your surgeon might suggest visiting a local surgeon to remove the stitch for you. Removal sooner rather than later will help prevent permanent scarring.