My doctor told me I wouldn't have any visible stitches. Why do I have stitches below my eyes? Is this normal? (Photo)

Question

My doctor told me I wouldn't have any visible stitches for my lower blepharoplasty. I don't understand why I have stitches on my cheek. Is this normal?

Cameron Chesnut, MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

This is a great question, and not the first time it has been asked.  One of the benefits of a transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty is that there are no external stitches. Most of the time, fat is repositioned through this approach, and sutures can be used to hold it in place. These sutures are actually holding the fat deep under your skin in place, and they are externalized usually in the upper part of your cheek. So while what your doctor was telling you is true (there are no external sutures as if you were to cut your skin open to perform the blepharoplasty), there's a bit of an asterisk there when the sutures to hold your fat pads in place were used. They are below your eyes, but they will not lead to any scarring, and are there just for the purpose of holding the deep fat in place.This is a great reminder for all of us surgeons that we have to be very explicit in our preoperative conversations, and we shouldn't take anything for granted.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Great example of why you need to be careful what you say to patients.  Technically these sutures are stay sutures to ensure that the fat rotated from the lower eyelid stay at the top of the cheek.  Generally they are removed about a week after surgery.  The sutures your surgeon was referring tothe ones used to close a skin incision made under the eyelashes.  You surgery was done behind the eyelid so no skin closure.  Sutures were still needed to hold the transferred fat in place while initial healing takes place.

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD, FACS · Answer

It looks like you may have had fat repositioning along with the lower eyelid blepharoplasty.  I do this commonly to smooth out the lid cheek junction.  You should speak with your surgeon however and find out what happened and maybe there was a mis-understanding.  With fat repositioning, there are no incisions in that area so usually scarring is not an issue from the sutures but speak with your doctor since this should be clear to you.best of luck

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Not sure WHAT is going on? Did you consent for cheek surgery? Or do you not recall the discussion of use of fixation or stay sutures for fat repositioning?  Best you have in person frank discussion with for surgeon....

Ben Talei, MD · Answer

These sutures are just tacking sutures for the fat that was moved into your tear trough to fill it.  They will come out soon and the swelling will improve rapidly after they come out.  Just call the doctor and he /she can explain.  Seems like the doctor did a great job and picked the right technique for you.

My doctor told me I wouldn't have any visible stitches. Why do I have stitches below my eyes? Is this normal? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: My doctor told me I wouldn't have any visible stitches. Why do I have stitches below my eyes? Is this normal?

Answer: My doctor told me I wouldn't have any visible stitches. Why do I have stitches below my eyes? Is this normal?

Answer: Lower lid blepharoplasty with fat transposition

Answer: Lower lid blepharoplasty with fat transposition

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My doctor told me I wouldn't have any visible stitches. Why do I have stitches below my eyes? Is this normal? (Photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: My doctor told me I wouldn't have any visible stitches. Why do I have stitches below my eyes? Is this normal?

Answer: My doctor told me I wouldn't have any visible stitches. Why do I have stitches below my eyes? Is this normal?

Answer: Lower lid blepharoplasty with fat transposition

Answer: Lower lid blepharoplasty with fat transposition

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

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