Should I ask my doctor to remove my dissolvable stitches 10 days out of a canthoplasty?

Question

This was a *correction surgery* for an initial canthoplasty done two years ago. My eyes were slanted too upward and I looked like a cat-woman at 53. Visited an oculoplastic surgeon about correcting it and making my eyes more horizontal and less upward (they also got smaller after the first surgery, so I asked if she could also repair that issue.) I still have the dissolvable sutures and am developing scar tissue -- getting nervous as they are more slanted upward now than before the surgery.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Yes, get these stitches removed.  Depending on which dissolvable suture was used, it can take 2 weeks or 2 months to brake down.  After 6 days, almost all of these sutures can and should be used. For some reason, oculoplastic surgeons sometimes assume that these dissolvable stitches breakdown at the same speed for everyone and it just is not true.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Thank you for adding your question. It is difficult to make a judgement without seeing your problem. Make an appointment for in office evaluation with your surgeon. Good luck,

David A. Schlessinger, MD · Answer

There are different types of dissolving sutures and there are different locations in which they can be placed. With Canthoplasties, both deep sutures and superficial sutures are place. The deep sutures are used to re-position or tighten the eyelids. Some surgeons use dissolving sutures and others use dissolvable sutures that generally take several weeks to several months to dissolve. These sutures are generally not removed unless they are causing a problem.The superficial sutures which are placed in the skin are usually removed within 5-10 days after surgery. Although dissolving sutures do not need to be removed, they may not dissolve for a long time. They can potentially cause irritation and suture cysts if they are left in too long.If you are un-happy with the position of your eyelids or the sutures, then you need to speak to your surgeon as soon as possible.

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

Best to see your doctor in person for an evaluation.The sutures could possibly be removed without harm.

John R. Burroughs, MD · Answer

It all depends upon how it was done.  I use dissolving sutures for most of my canthoplasty surgery, and I leave them until they dissolve, fall out, or rarely become bothersome.  Many of my canthoplasties are done internally under an upper blepharoplasty incision and don't need removal.  10 days may be too early depending upon the technique used, so defer to your surgeon's recommendation.  If the canthus was cut then I leave usually at least 3 weeks, so they eyelid corner doesn't come apart requiring a repeat surgery.

Should I ask my doctor to remove my dissolvable stitches 10 days out of a canthoplasty?

Answers (6)

Answer: Sutures

Answer: Sutures

Answer: Removal of canthoplasty sutures

Answer: Removal of canthoplasty sutures

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Everything you need to know about Canthoplasty

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Should I ask my doctor to remove my dissolvable stitches 10 days out of a canthoplasty?

Answers (6)

Answer: Sutures

Answer: Sutures

Answer: Removal of canthoplasty sutures

Answer: Removal of canthoplasty sutures

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Canthoplasty

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