Ask a doctor

When Are Sutures Removed with a Full Face Lift, Forehead Lift and Small Chin Implant?

When Are Sutures Removed with a Full Face Lift, Forehead Lift and Small Chin Implant

Doctor Answers 14

Sutures and Staples Out after Facelift

March 2nd, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

   Convention would dictate about 7 days for sutures in front of the ear.  Staples or sutures in the scalp or behind the ear could be removed at 10 days to 2 weeks.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Web reference: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/Face-and-Neck-Lift.php

Kenneth B. Hughes, MD


Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 440 reviews

When are sutures removed after facelift

August 16th, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

In my practice sutures in the face are out in 5 days and staples in the scalp are ususally left for 10 days. That is in a young healthy patient without major medical problems and medications/ social habits that could complicate wound healing.

Raj S. Ambay, MD

Timing of suture removal

July 26th, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Sutures are usually removed 5 to 7 days post operatively, while staples are usually removed 7 to 10 days out, Occasionally sutures may be left in longer in certain patients with concerns about wound healing ability eg. patients on cortisone/ steroid therapy, chemotherapeutic drugs, genetic issues with wound healing. Good Luck.

Wilfred Brown, MD

Wilfred Brown, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 13 reviews

Safe removal...

July 23rd, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

In my practice, after a full facelift or face and neck lift with chin implant sutures can be safely removed between 5 and 7 days. If staples are used  in the hair bearing areas which is often the case with of a full face and neck lift then staples are removed based on the level of healing up to 10 days after surgery.

Web reference: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrPrasad1/videos

Amiya Prasad, MD

Amiya Prasad, MD
New York Oculoplastic Surgeon
4.3 out of 5 stars 59 reviews

Suture removal facelift

June 23rd, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

One week is generally sufficient. A day or two less or more wont hurt. Staples need to stay in longer.

Richard Ellenbogen, MD

Richard Ellenbogen, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 25 reviews

When Are Sutures Removed with a Full Face Lift, Forehead Lift and Small Chin Implant?

June 15th, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

usually they are removed at 6-7 days. I tend to remove them at 6 days some people wait for 2 weeks. The more you keep them in the more scarring.

Philip Young, MD

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
3.9 out of 5 stars 60 reviews

Suture removal after face lift

June 4th, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

In general sutures are removed 5 -7 days after surgery. If staples were applied for the temple or behind the ear skin they are usually removed after 10-14 days. During your book your face lift consultation your plastic surgeon will tell you about the type of face lift you need and the post operative instruction. That includes suture removal. 

Moneer Jaibaji, MD

Moneer Jaibaji, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 15 reviews

Facial Suture Removal Guidelines

June 3rd, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Various areas of the face and body heal at different rates allowing for differing times for permanent suture removal based on the strength of the repair. I for example use rapidly dissolving sutures so that no sutures have to be removed on my facelifts, chin augmentation, and blepharoplasty patients. Patients love that ! The only exception is in the hair bearing scalp where clips are used and removed in 10-12 days. There are other factors - for example if buried sutures  are used holding the skin edges together, the skin sutures can be removed earlier. Lastly some surgeons like to remove some earlier than others. In general eyelid sutures are removed in approximately 3-5 days, facial sutures in 5-7 days for most surgeons. Your plastic surgeon will tell you the right answer for your particular surgery

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS

Facelift - When Are Sutures Removed with a Full Face Lift, Forehead Lift and Small Chin Implant

June 3rd, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

In general, we remove the sutures under the chin and around the ear at about 6-7 days.  Sutures or staples in the scalp typically stay in for about 10 days and, based on the other answers that are here, I think you can reasonably assume that your non-dissolving sutures would all be out within about ten days of your surgery.

I hope that this helps and good luck,

Dr. E

Web reference: http://www.bodysculpture.com

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS
New York Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 108 reviews

Suture Removal after Faceift, Forehead Lift, and Chin Implant

June 3rd, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I generally remove all sutures 6 days after this surgery. The only exception are staples placed within the hair that are sometimes removed at 10 days.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 35 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.