Stitch Poking out and Causing Soreness After Tummy Tuck

Question

I'm at the 7 week mark since my tummy tuck and I have three different stitches that keep poking out. I have kept them trimmed. Anyways, on the one hip it's very sore and bruised feeling and I can still feel one poking out slightly but I can't get it trimmed flush to the skin - any suggestions?

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Occasionally the body may not tolerate one or a few stitches and they will come to the surface. Surgeons call them "spitting sutures". Exposed stitches never heal because they are perceived as a foreign body. Rather than trim them short, the best management is to painlessly remove them. The stitch wound then heals rapidly. I would consult with your surgeon before doing it.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD · Answer

Remember.  you paid a surgeon for the surgery - go back and see him and let him take care of your problem. The suture needs to be removed.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

You should go back and have your plastic surgeon remove it. Watch my video. Sutures may pock through during the healing process and they are usually easily removed.

John Whitt, MD (retired) · Answer

Most plastic surgeons use dissolving sutures just below the skin when closing tummy tuck incisions.  It is not uncommon for these sutures to develop a little microabcess around them and spit out as you describe.  Check with your surgeon who can probably help you with this problem.

Stitch Poking out and Causing Soreness After Tummy Tuck

Answers (4)

Answer: "Spitting" Stitch after Tummy Tuck

Answer: "Spitting" Stitch after Tummy Tuck

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Stitch Poking out and Causing Soreness After Tummy Tuck

Answers (4)

Answer: "Spitting" Stitch after Tummy Tuck

Answer: "Spitting" Stitch after Tummy Tuck

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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