Will I Need the Purse-string Suture Removed? (photo)

Question

I'm a male following severe weight loss and a gynomastia correction had a lollipop mastopexy to reduce areola size On one side the t shape scar has not fully healed 3 weeks post op. I can see a bit of stitch in the hole. the knot is also exposed. the scar above the areola has stretched about 7mm. Should the purse string have prevented this ? Right side - scar is neat around nipple & not expanded but knot is visable on the t. What should be done?

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

Thanks for the photos. Be sure to follow up with your surgeon.  Seeking opinions from this site can be helpful but it has its limitations since we cannot exam you or know your entire history.  Often, I will remove exposed stitches.  Purse string wouldn't necessarily change your ability to heal.  Your wound will need proper caring and should heal well.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Dissolvable sutures sometimes works her weight through the skin before they completely dissipate. They can be easily removed in the office. It's too early to make any judgments about the rest of wound healing.

Kamran Efendioglu, MD · Answer

Hi,

	First of all hope the wound heals soon. The second I'm very curious about your preop pictures. I wonder if the skin excision was really necessary? With novel techniques it's possible to remove both fat and glandular tissues from the breast through a  0.5cm incision. And skin retraction is usually satisfactory. I reserve skin excision only for the extremely ptotic breasts similar to female breast. 

	And for the suture if it's exposed it has to be removed because it is a foreign material which is very suitable for bacterial colonization which in turn will delay wound healing thus leading to a worser scar or hypertrophic scar eventually.

	It's better to visit your doctor again and if you're not satisfied you may visit other specialist.

	Best regards

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

There seems to be suture reaction. See your plastic surgeon and he/she will be able to clean the wound and remove the exposed suture material

Bruce Carter, MD (retired) · Answer

Your chest contour looks quite good from the picture that you have submitted.  It does appear that you have an open wound with an exposed suture that will not heal until the suture is removed.  After the wound has healed, you may wish to have the thickened scar revised. Prolonged wound healing is not uncommon with patients who have lost a lot of weight.

Will I Need the Purse-string Suture Removed? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Gynecomasia

Answer: Gynecomasia

Answer: Delayed wound healing with gynecomastia

Answer: Delayed wound healing with gynecomastia

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Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

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Will I Need the Purse-string Suture Removed? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Gynecomasia

Answer: Gynecomasia

Answer: Delayed wound healing with gynecomastia

Answer: Delayed wound healing with gynecomastia

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

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