Tummy Tuck Stitches Still Present After 5 Months

Thank you for reaching out with your concern about experiencing pain related to sutures five months after undergoing a tummy tuck. It's understandable that this situation would be a cause for concern.
Your plastic surgeon is the best resource in this scenario, as they are familiar with the specifics of your surgery, including what type of sutures were used. Sutures vary; some dissolve within days, others may take up to nine months, and some are permanent. The fact that the sutures are still causing pain does not necessarily mean they need to be removed immediately.
Your plastic surgeon's recommendation to wait before considering suture removal is valuable. It's true that sutures can occasionally get infected, but this is relatively rare. The pain you're experiencing could be a normal part of the healing process, especially if the sutures are of the type that takes longer to dissolve or are permanent.
The procedure to remove drains, which often involves sutures, can sometimes be associated with discomfort. In deciding whether or not to remove sutures, wound healing and the potential for wound dehiscence (reopening) are critical factors to consider.
I encourage you to continue following your plastic surgeon's advice. Pain and the duration that the sutures have been in place are not always indications that they should be removed. It's essential to ensure that the wound has healed adequately and there's minimal risk of it reopening before proceeding with any suture removal.
I hope this information has been helpful in addressing your concerns about the painful and exposed sutures following your tummy tuck. Wishing you a smooth and comfortable recovery.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

A variety of different sutures are used in the course of abdominoplasty with different resorption times. Also different individual absorb the same sutures at different rates. If your surgeon states that they will be absorbed, I would believe him/her and give it time. It is rare for them to get truly infected. IF they should suddenly become red, swollen, tender or warm, you should notify your surgeon.

It is highly unusual to have external stitches 5 months post surgery. Dissolving sutures may take up nine months; however, the norm is much shorter. Speak with your surgeon's medical staff for clarification on what postoperative care you should be doing at this point. They may want to bring you in to review.

 

After 5 months, the sutures that you have should probably have dissolved if they are absorbable. If they are not check with your doctor.

Tummy tucks are a terrific way to re-contour the abdomen. During this surgery, we typically use resorbable sutures in the deep layers of your tissue and in the superficial layer of your skin. These sutures can take anywhere from 3 to 9 months to dissolve on their own. Your best bet is to continue with deep massage to these areas to help the body breakup this suture material.

To learn more about tummy tucks, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you, please visit us at the link below:
 

The routine for any external suture removal is about 2weeks after surgery at most. Five months for having stitches does not sound routine. Discuss with your surgeon the reasoning - are you having healing issues? If the stiches hurt, they can cause localized infection and should be checked out by your surgeon. The best thing to do is to make an appointment and go over your concerns. The explanation will usually relieve any stress you are having.

I presume that you are describing dissolving sutures which have been placed beneath the skin.  It is not uncommon for these to require 5 months or even longer to dissolve.  If they are bothering you that much, however, you should contact your surgeon to see if he/she can see you a bit sooner.

It would not be normal to leave external stitches in a tummy tuck, or any other surgery for that matter, for almost 6 months after surgery.  Go back to your doctor for an explanation and removal.