Dissolvable stitches still there 16 months after surgery. Should I be concerned?

Hi & thanks for your question!
This is not unusual. Reach out to your surgeon with your concerns. Best wishes!

Dear sandra87m,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

If you can still feel the sutures poking then it is likely that they may not be dissolvable sutures. Generally at this far out, 16 months, no matter which dissolvable sutures were used, they would be gone by now. You may be also feeling scar tissue maybe?
Best coarse of action is to get the operative report of your surgery and make certain that dissolvable sutures were used and then take it from there.

Hope that helps.

It is possible you still may have some sutures that haven't fully dissolved. If they are not bothersome there is nothing you need to do. If they are bothersome you can visit with your surgeon. If needed they can be removed.

It is not uncommon to feel stitches under the skin after surgery, especially if dissolvable sutures were used. However, if you are still feeling stitches 16 months after surgery, it is possible that they have not dissolved as expected or have become encapsulated in scar tissue.

If the stitches are not causing any pain or discomfort, it is unlikely to be a cause for concern. However, if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, or if the area is becoming swollen or red, it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible.

In many cases, dissolvable stitches will eventually dissolve on their own, but it is possible that they may need to be removed if they have not dissolved after a certain period of time. Your doctor will be able to determine if the stitches need to be removed and can provide guidance on the best course of action.

If the stitches need to be removed, it is usually a straightforward procedure that can be done in a doctor's office. Your doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic and then carefully remove the stitches.

Overall, it is important to stay in touch with your doctor and to monitor any changes in the area where you feel the stitches. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to contact your doctor for guidance.

Best of luck !

If these stitches bother you, go discuss removal in the office with your surgeon. Most have dissolved by now, but I have seen some last even 5 years.

The commonly used dissolvable sutures break down in 3 months and are fully absorbed by six months. The absorption profile varies among different suture materials. Are you certain that they are abosrbaboe? If there is no extrution, infection, pain or defomity I do not necessarily recommned removing them.