Is it normal for gooey stuff to come out an open wound? Should I do something about the stitch coming out of the wound? (Photo)

Question

i am 2 weeks post op of an arm lift. About a week ago i realized i had an open wound on both arms and can see a clear stitch coming out of the wounds. Also now there is a green/clear gooey residue coming out of both wounds. Is that normal for the healing process for the wound to close? Should i do anything to help the wound heal better? Also what should i do about the stitch coming out of the wound?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon after an arm lift, I would recommend you keep the wound dry and covered with gauze. Continue to follow up with your PS.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your questions regarding gooey stuff and possibly a suture coming out your arm lift or brachioplasty incision. Basically, it is not normal for gooey stuff or a suture to come out an arm lift wound. I would suggest you consult with your board-certified plastic surgeon who performed your arm lift immediately. Every plastic surgeon is different in how they treat surgical wounds. The suture may be a single suture or may be part of the suture that runs the entire length of the incision. Either way, I would not suggest removing it. I would, however, suggest you contact your plastic surgeon. In the meantime, I would keep the area covered with Bacitracin. Bacitracin is an antibiotic that will fight many infections. You should apply the Bacitracin three times a day. This is not the forum to help you treat wounds on your own. Rather, this is a forum to suggest you contact your plastic surgeon for their personal suggestions for definitive treatment. Thank you for your question regarding treatment of your arm lift wound. If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, brachioplasty, or plastic surgery in general, please contact my office. 
  
Sincerely, 
  
Dr. Katzen

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  There is risks for spitting stitches after surgery.  Please follow up with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to further discuss you concern

Robert Drielsma, MBBS, BSc, FRACS · Answer

You appear to be healing well from your recent brachioplasty. Its not unusual to experience small areas of wound breakdown or you may have some sutures "popping" through the skin causing small areas of irritation. If stitches come out you can trim them carefully at the base of your skin - do not pull them out. Continue to follow your surgeons post operative guidelines carefully.

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

The photos show what appear to be normal healing. Sometimes there are areas slower to heal than others along a long incision. Sutures may extrude/spit through the incision and as long as there is no evidence of infection, local wound care under your surgeon's guidance is usually all that is required. See your surgeon in the office for reassurance and instructions.

Is it normal for gooey stuff to come out an open wound? Should I do something about the stitch coming out of the wound? (Photo)

Answers (5)