Tummy tuck stitches

Pinching in mons pubis

Often times suregons use non-absorbable sutures in the abdominal plication and these have the potential to extrude. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck sutures

There are two types of sutures used in tummy tuck, those that dissolve, and those that do not. Most often we will use a dissolving suture for the skin so that there is no need to remove them after, a process which can be uncomfortable.

The suture in your picture appears to be nylon, an non-dissolving type, and if left or missed can spit or cause an irritated spot.

Tummy tuck abdominoplasty stitches

If another stitch is present, your surgeon can numb the area when the stitch is removed. (Peter E. Johnson, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Suture extrusion years after a tummy tuck

Looking at the photo, it looks like a braided nylon suture which is permanent. I personally use all disolvable sutures both for the muscle repair and wound closure. This is one of the problems with the permanent sutures, your body “spits them out”.

Usually trhis involves a chronic suture abscess or infection and the body pushes out the foreign material. Sometimes these are hard to find, since the body wraps it in scar tissue and when injects local anesthetic into the area it is hard to find the offending suture. (George Marosan, MD, Bellevue Plastic Surgeon)

Stitches 3 years after tummy tuck

Tummy tuck stitches after surgery

While many surgeons use only dissolving stitches for abdominoplasty, yours appears to have used permanent ones. These can ‘spit’ from the wound years later. You might consider returning to have the are checked. Ask the surgeon to use some local anesthetic if he does an exploration. (Eric Pugash, MD, Vancouver Plastic Surgeon)

I personally use all dissolvable stitches but it looks like your doctor used permanent ones and you might have another one working its way out. Have them take a look. Lots of doctors use these. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle)

Stich years after a tummy tuck

It is possible for nonabsorbable stitches to cause these types of problems years after surgery. Check with your surgeon to see if the area needs to be treated. (Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)