Stitches Still Left 3 Years After Tummy Tuck?

Usually the sutures used on the skin are absorbable and should go away over time (months).  However, many times the deeper stitches are permanent and do not absorb.  Normally these are surrounded in scar tissue and help hold the muscles repair in place.  Occasionally, the body try to extrude the permanent stitch like what happened with you.  I would suggest discussing your current symptoms with your plastic surgeon.

 

Good Luck.

I personally use absorable sutures with the knots tied deep dermally so they will not get close to the skin and spit out. You can get spitting of sutures with either absorable or nonabsorable sutures.

I was equeally interested in reading my colleagues responses. I intially used absorbable sutures (Maxon) but was dissatisfied with the long term resutls and so I returned to permanent sutures for the past 12 years and have been pleased with the relatively low rate of permanent extrusion. When fixing hernias, we tend to use permanent materials and so I don't understand the reluctance of some to use these materials.

It's very atypical and it depends on the suture material that your plastic surgeon used, but yes, it very likely is another suture.  Eventually they'll all come out and your plastic surgeon will probably stop using that sort of suture even if you're the only patient it has happened to in his practice lifetime.  Sorry to hear this happened but fortunately they just need to be removed and it improves.  Keep your incision nice and clean as the new scar forms around these open wound areas.  Best wishes,

As suggested by the other panelists, there could be more sutures that are trying to work their way out and so it would be helpful for you to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area to evaluate.

I hope that helps!

There are 2 types of stitches available for use in a tummy tuck.  One type is permanent and one type dissolves.  The stitches you have spitting out are permanent ones.  There may be other sutures trying to work their way out.  Discuss with your plastic surgeon your concerns and request local anesthesia if the area is explored again.