Do these lipoma removal stitches look un-healed and/or infected? (photo)

Question

I'm supposed to get the stitches (above my tibialis anterior muscle) out in the next 1-3 days and I'm nervous that they're not ready to come out & are infected. I'm mostly concerned with what looks like a blood blister on the right side of the incision & the tender knot below the incision. It's still red & sore, but doesn't feel warm/hot and is dry. Does this look infected and unhealed to you? I've been using an antibiotic ointment and taking cephalexin twice a day.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your recovery issues.  It appears that you still have some swelling around your incision site as well as redness that is either related to the antibiotic ointment or an adhesive covering you have been applying.  Depending on whether your surgeon placed stitches beneath your skin as well as the black ones seen, it may be okay to remove these until your body heals the skin.  Typically I would wait 10 days or so before removing stitches in the lower leg.  Your surgeon will be your best source of information as they know the details of your procedure.

Do these lipoma removal stitches look un-healed and/or infected? (photo)

Answers (1)