I had a Tummy Tuck in 2002. My internal stitches still show up in X-rays. My question is, can the stitches pop open after so long and cause distention in my upper abdomen?
Answer: Can Tummy Tuck Stitches Open Up Years Later? Thank you for your question regarding whether tummy tuck stitches can open up years after the procedure. It’s not common, but in rare cases, internal stitches—especially those used for muscle repair (rectus diastasis repair)—can loosen or fail over time, particularly if there's added strain on the abdominal muscles. This could lead to bulging or distention in the abdomen, which might appear as a protrusion in the upper or lower abdomen, depending on where the muscle repair was performed.
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Answer: Can Tummy Tuck Stitches Open Up Years Later? Thank you for your question regarding whether tummy tuck stitches can open up years after the procedure. It’s not common, but in rare cases, internal stitches—especially those used for muscle repair (rectus diastasis repair)—can loosen or fail over time, particularly if there's added strain on the abdominal muscles. This could lead to bulging or distention in the abdomen, which might appear as a protrusion in the upper or lower abdomen, depending on where the muscle repair was performed.
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March 31, 2016
Answer: It's not the sutures Sadly, no cosmetic surgery lasts forever and both time and gravity press on relentlessly. This means that even though the sutures are still present, your tissues have continued to age and lose their firmness. This causes a recurrence of the distension
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March 31, 2016
Answer: It's not the sutures Sadly, no cosmetic surgery lasts forever and both time and gravity press on relentlessly. This means that even though the sutures are still present, your tissues have continued to age and lose their firmness. This causes a recurrence of the distension
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July 13, 2009
Answer: No It good to know that your physician used permanent suture to repair the diastasis. This is essential to preventing recurrence. However, the tissue around the repair can continue to weaken. And in some cases the tissues are just poor genetically so weakness will be a continuing problem. So it's not the suture it's the surrounding tissue.
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July 13, 2009
Answer: No It good to know that your physician used permanent suture to repair the diastasis. This is essential to preventing recurrence. However, the tissue around the repair can continue to weaken. And in some cases the tissues are just poor genetically so weakness will be a continuing problem. So it's not the suture it's the surrounding tissue.
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October 27, 2013
Answer: Repair would be secure, but your body may change Mishelle 143Those internal sutures are only thought to hold your internal tissue layers together while they heal strongly. That process happens over the first few months after surgery. Once the fibrous tissue layers heal together, they have more strength than the sutures did. So it shouldn't matter if those sutures "pop," loosen, come untied, etc.As with most cosmetic plastic surgery, no matter what the surgeon achieves, your body continues changing over the years. If you have some concerns, go in for a consultation in-person. You'll get a complete evaluation and opinions about what you need.
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October 27, 2013
Answer: Repair would be secure, but your body may change Mishelle 143Those internal sutures are only thought to hold your internal tissue layers together while they heal strongly. That process happens over the first few months after surgery. Once the fibrous tissue layers heal together, they have more strength than the sutures did. So it shouldn't matter if those sutures "pop," loosen, come untied, etc.As with most cosmetic plastic surgery, no matter what the surgeon achieves, your body continues changing over the years. If you have some concerns, go in for a consultation in-person. You'll get a complete evaluation and opinions about what you need.
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September 18, 2017
Answer: Not likely The more time that passes from your surgery the less likely a chance of the suture line disrupting. This is because initially the strong row of sutures is preventing relapse and as time goes on, your own scar tissue takes over to keep your abdomen flat. Of course if one has a significant increase in weight manifested in an enlarging abdomen, the muscles will again stretch out. This too would be the case with a subsequent pregnancy.
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September 18, 2017
Answer: Not likely The more time that passes from your surgery the less likely a chance of the suture line disrupting. This is because initially the strong row of sutures is preventing relapse and as time goes on, your own scar tissue takes over to keep your abdomen flat. Of course if one has a significant increase in weight manifested in an enlarging abdomen, the muscles will again stretch out. This too would be the case with a subsequent pregnancy.
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