What Can You Do to the Stitches Not Dissolved After Breast Implants

Question

removal 8 wks out already. Most of stitches are gone except for the end part. It puffs up like a pimple, in purple color and had pus in it. My doctor gave me bactricin ointment to put on twice a day and said this was the knot of the stitches he made. So what can I do to speed things up to recover faster because it is very uncomfortable and itchy where the wound is. What kind of signs should I look for to avoid future infection? Please advise. Thank you so much.

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

Most of the dissolvable sutures used will go away at about 6 weeks. Sometimes they do not and the body will try and spit these out to get rid of them. They will usually work their way to the surface. Please let your plastic surgeon take these out in the office. Please don't go digging for them at home.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, ask your surgeon about using hydrogen peroxide, it can speed up dissolving the sutures, good luck.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In most cases the body will break down this dissolvable sutures within the first 6-8 weeks, however, this is not always the case.  In some cases the body will instead try to expel these sutures by pushing them to the surface, otherwise known as 'spitting sutures.'  When these sutures are sticking out above the skin's surface they can be easily trimmed at an office visit.  Other times these sutures never actually break the skins surface and may require that the surgeon remove them under a little local anesthesia.   I would recommend following up again with your operating surgeon to discuss your progress, if any, with these suture knots.  Your surgeon may recommend soft massages and/or warm compresses multiple times a day to help facilitate the sutures break down.  When it comes to the knots of the sutures, there is more suture material to break down and as you can imagine this may take a little longer.  Follow up with your surgeon and do not try digging these sutures out on your own.  I hope this helps and best of luck!

Jonathan Saunders, MD · Answer

it will probably get better by itself.  but if you want go and have some local anesthetic and have it removed.  not a big deal.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

In most cases, sutures will dissolve.  However, if you are 8 weeks after surgery and the sutures have not dissolved and are causing issues, then it may be best for your surgeon to remove the exposed sutures as a minor procedure in the office under local anesthesia.  However without knowing the specifics of your case, seeing before and after pictures or seeing you in person, it is impossible for us to give you specific advice.

	 

	Good Luck.

What Can You Do to the Stitches Not Dissolved After Breast Implants

Answers (9)