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

Question

Lower facelift 3+ wks ago and when stitches were removed, nurse said she may have missed some & I can remove them myself. Absorbable ones might poke out & those could be clipped. There were two at the top of my ear (one on each ear) that I thought were absorbable & I left them alone until last night. They were blue and one had a knot. That one was removed but the one on my left ear is too embedded in my skin. What happens if the incision closes up over this stitch? Surgeon is out of state.

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

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.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

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.

Julia Kerolus, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, you may consider calling your surgeon and asking for guidance and follow up with someone in the San Diego area. Hope this helps.

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

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Answer: What happens if your skin heals over a nonabsorbable stitch?

Answer: What happens if your skin heals over a nonabsorbable stitch?

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

Answers (4)

Answer: What happens if your skin heals over a nonabsorbable stitch?

Answer: What happens if your skin heals over a nonabsorbable stitch?

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Everything you need to know about Facelift

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