Tip of Suture Sticking out of Tummy Tuck Incision, is This Normal?

Question

I'm 4 months po tummy tuck and a tip of a stitch just poked out of incision where lumps are stitches were dissolvable will this little stitch tip go away on it's own.

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

It is very common to have subcuticular sutures turn over and have their ends come out through the skin.  They were placed upside down with the ends going downward, but the healing forces turn them over, and when they come through the skin, it is technically called "spitting".  These will not dissolve because there is no moisture around to help them dissolve.   Therefore, they need to be removed.  Please make an appointment to see your plastic surgeon and have them removed. 

	Here in Hawaii, this becomes a particularly big problem because we have a lot of bacteria in the ocean, and if one goes swimming while these are sticking out, it becomes a route of entry for bacteria.  I tell all my patients, if they see a stitch spitting, they have to come in right away to my office, and to stay away from pools or the beach because it may lead to an infection.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It is very common for a suture tip to work its way through the skin surface.  It is taken care of quickly and easily in your surgeon's office.  Simply call them to let them know about it.

Ankit Desai, MD · Answer

Sometimes the dissolvable sutures can find their way through the skin. Typically they can be removed and the healing typically should be uneventful.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Absorbable sutures sometimes spit or come to the surface, this is fairly common and is not alarming.  Your surgeon's office can remove them for you.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.

Sometimes, dissolvable sutures take a little longer to dissolve and may cause issues such as what you are experiencing. The  sutures will dissolve on their own;  if they become problematic removal of the suture should allow for healing and no further intervention.

I hope this helps.

Tip of Suture Sticking out of Tummy Tuck Incision, is This Normal?

Answers (10)

Answer: Suture spitting

Answer: Suture spitting

Answer: Tummy tuck and dissolvable sutures?

Answer: Tummy tuck and dissolvable sutures?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Tip of Suture Sticking out of Tummy Tuck Incision, is This Normal?

Answers (10)

Answer: Suture spitting

Answer: Suture spitting

Answer: Tummy tuck and dissolvable sutures?

Answer: Tummy tuck and dissolvable sutures?

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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.