Tummy Tuck Stitches & Sutures
 Tummy Tuck Stitches and Incision Line 3 days after surgery |
Tummy Tuck Stitches
I had never had surgery before and was curious to see what my stitches (also known as sutures) looked like and how they were actually used to "stitch" the skin together. This is what they looked like 3 days after my Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) with Lateral Thigh Lift operation.
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Tummy Tuck Belly Button Stitches;
3 Days After Surgery |
Tummy Tuck Incision Line;
2 Days After Surgery |
Tummy Tuck Stitches/ Sutures;
3 Days After Surgery |
What Are Surgical Sutures/Stitches?
"A suture is a medical device that doctors, and especially surgeons, use to hold skin, internal organs, blood vessels and all other tissues of the human body together, after they have been severed by injury or surgery. They must be strong (so they do not break), non-toxic and hypoallergenic (to avoid adverse reactions in the body), and flexible (so they can be tied and knotted easily). In addition, they must lack the so called "wick effect", which means that sutures must not allow fluids to penetrate the body through them from outside, which could easily cause infections." ref: Wikepedia.
What Kind of Sutures Are There?
There are two kinds of sutures, absorbable sutures and non-absorbable sutures. With time, absorbable sutures will break down and be absorbed by the body, while non-absorbable sutures will not and must be removed manually. The type of sutures used depends on the function, location and environment. A absorbable sutures are often used internally; non-absorbable externally.
Tummy Tuck Sutures & Stitches Questions (FAQs)
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When are my Stitches removed after my Tummy Tuck? When are abdominoplasty stitches removed?
Tummy tuck stitches are generally removed 1-2 weeks following surgery. The sooner the better to prevent and minimize scarring from stitches. -
What are Tummy Tuck Sutures made of?
Absorbable sutures were originally made of the intestines of sheep (catgut). Today, the majority of absorbable sutures are now made of synthetic polymer fibers which offer ease of handling, low cost, low tissue reaction, consistent performance and guaranteed non-toxicity. -
How long does it take tummy tuck absorbable sutures to be absorbed by the body? How long for abdominoplasty dissolvable stitches to dissolve? How long for tummy tuck stitches to dissolve or disintegrate?
It takes absorbable sutures anywhere from 10 days to eight weeks to be absorbed by the body. -
How many stitches will I have for my Tummy Tuck? How many stitches in an abdominoplasty?
The amount of stitches varies with each tummy tuck operation. I had a Tummy Tuck with Lateral Thigh Lift so I had stitches on my front, sides and back. If you zoom in on the above picture you can count 6-7 visible stitches on the belly portion. -
Will sneezing cause the stitches for abdominoplasty to tear?
It is possible for sneezing to cause abdominoplasty stitches to tear. Any violent pulling or stretching of the area at or surrounding the incision area may cause damage to the stitches. Holding your stomach area with your hands and wearing a tightly fitted compression garment while sneezing should reduce the chance of tearing stitches. -
Do they stitch the tummy tuck drain holes?
When the surgical drain tubes are inserted into your body the surgeon will likely stitch them in place so they don't move or come out. When the drains are removed the surgeon cuts the stitches and pulls out the tubing. The remaining drain tube hole seals itself quickly and requires no stitches. -
Does it hurt when the stitches are removed tummy tuck?
No it doesn't hurt when stitches are removed from a tummy tuck incision. The surgeon simply snips the stitches with a pair of scissors and removes the stitch with tweezers or his fingers. You may feed a slight pulling of the skin but you should not feel and pain. That area will be numb from surgery for several more weeks anyway. -
How long does stitches stay on following a tummy tuck?
Typically your tummy tuck stitches will stay for one to two weeks. The decision to remove them will be made by your surgeon at one of your follow-up visits. -
How to clean my stitches after tummy tuck?
You have to be very careful when cleaning your tummy tuck stitches. Some people clean the skin near the stitches with a q-tip and a mixture of peroxide and water being very careful not to disturb or pull on the stitches. After the incision has healed a while and you are permitted to shower you can clean the stitches with antibacterial soap and gentle massaging with your hand. Avoid direct water spray on the stitch and incision area. -
How to protect my stitches on my abdomen?
Protect your stitches by keeping them covered with a bandage and compression garment. -
How would I know if I busted some tummy tuck stitches?
Some patients describe that they hear a "pop" after doing some type of physical activity. -
What the stitches looks like after a tummy tuck operation?
This picture shows the stitches used for the tummy tuck incision stitches, tummy tuck belly button stitches and the stitches used to hold in the surgical drain tubes. You can see the detail of the stitches if you zoom in on the picture.
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Are outside sutures of a tummy tuck dissolvable?
There is generally no need for the outside sutures to be dissolvable. They are easily removed by the surgeon with a pair scissors and tweezers. -
How do you know if your doctor used absorbable sutures for a tummy tuck?
The only way to know if your doctor used absorbable sutures for your tummy tuck operation is to ask him.
Tummy Tuck Feedback Messages
The following Reader Comments are relevant to the subject of this
page.
To read all Tummy Tuck Feedback
click here.
When Are My Stitches Removed After My Tummy Tuck-
Stitches One Year After Tummy Tuck-
Tummy Tuck Stitches Are Missing
How Long Does It Take Absorbable Sutures To Be Absorbed By The
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Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Subject: Tummy Tuck Sutures; Tummy Tuck Stitches
If you snap or pull a suture on the inside of your tummy
tuck can there be damage done?
Charlene,
Response - Charlene,
I never had that problem so I don't have any first hand
experience with breaking stitches but here is a good source
of info on it. http://www.realself.com/question/tummy-tuck-tore-sutures
Good luck.
Tanne
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Sent: Friday, October 12, 2010
Subject: Feedback Form
I always inspired by you, your thoughts and attitude, again, thanks
for this nice post.
Thomas
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Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 9:24 PM
Subject: Tummy Tuck Sutures
Hi....I am just over 2 weeks post op tummy tuck. My internal
muscles did have some diastis and needed to be sutured back. My main concern
is the longevity of the sutures. My doctor says they last a lifetime. I am
an active 45 yr. old runner. I also use some weights and definitely work on
my core. I am so concerned that the core workouts and ab exercises will
bust my sutures. I would love to hear of some success stories to maybe ease
my concerns. Thank you!
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Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 9:24 PM
Subject: Tummy Tuck Absorbable Sutures
Hi, my question is regarding a Tummy tuck that I had a year ago. I had to
redo it because The results were awful. When the second plastic
surgeon went in to tight my muscle he didn't find envy evidence of
suture, so he has to tight my muscles again. So in this case, what could
happened. When I asked the first surgeon he said that he used absorbable
suture. Is this makes any sense?. Can this be possible? Please, help me
with this matter. I feel frustrated. Thanks
Response
I know very little about the surgical use of sutures but as I
understand it most surgeons use a combination of absorbable and permanent
sutures for tummy tuck surgery. Absorbable sutures for surface/skin sutures
and permanent sutures to tighten muscles. That would make sense.
Out of curiosity I did a little research and found the following that may
provide additional information.
"Normally, permanent sutures are only used inside to hold the muscle in
place. Generally, skin sutures are dissolvable."
http://www.realself.com/question/permanent-visible-sutures-for-tummy-tuck
Many surgeons refer to "tightening of the muscles". This is in fact never
done during a tummy tuck. Rather, the fascia, the tough lining of the
muscles, is tightened.
http://www.realself.com/question/no-muscle-tightening-after-tummy-tuck
http://www.realself.com/question/tummy-tuck-re-tighten-abdomen-muscles
I can see why you are frustrated. You are probably thinking.. Did my first
surgeon make a mistake and use the wrong type of suture? Did he just not
suture my stomach muscles and lie about it later?
You may never know. Even if he did use absorbable stitches to tighten you
muscles, or for that matter did not tighten your muscles at all, it may not
be "legally wrong" and that choice may be at the discretion of the surgeon.
What does your second surgeon say about this?
If you don't get a clear cut answer and you really want closure on this it
seems like you have a long road ahead of you. Consulting with other surgeons
(your only real source of medical expertise), checking into the background
of the first surgeon (for previous lawsuits and malpractice) then if
appropriate, contacting lawyers to see if you have any legal recourse can
extend your frustration for months or years. Is the time spent, money spent,
sleepless nights and additional frustration worth it?
Good luck.
Tanner
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Tummy Tuck Stitches and Problems
Tummy tuck patients who have problems with their tummy tuck stitches or sutures often search the internet for information for about whether it is commonly associated with a tummy tuck and what they can do about it. When they perform their search they use keywords that describe their particular problem. The following is a list of the phrases over one months period of time that patients used to describe their tummy suture problem. You can get a good idea of their suture problems associated with their own tummy tuck operation.
A stitch is sticking out of my tummy tuck incision
Abdominoplasty couple of stitches break away
Abdominoplasty stitches pain
Big red area on scar where stitch was after tummy tuck
Blood coming out of stitches in stomach
Can feel stitches after tummy tuck
Did i pull my tummy tuck stitches
Feels like a stitch is being pulled out after tummy tuck
Not all of my stitches were removed, doctor said they will come out
Piece of stitch still in abdomen
Still have stitches 3 months after surgery
Stitch pain after two months of surgery
Stitch poking out of stomach and causing soreness after tummy tuck
Stitches in the belly button 6 months after tummy tuck
Stitches opening after tummy tuck
Surgery stitches removed wrong
Adverse reaction to permanent sutures
Abdominal surgery permanent suture infection malpractice
I have dissolvable suture that are bleeding after 13 days of tummy tuck
Reaction to internal sutures after abdominoplasty
Tube suture leaking after tummy tuck
When tummy tuck sutures become inflamed
I can feel my permanent suture
Tummy Tuck Sutures/Tummy Tuck Stitches Resources
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Tags: Tummy Tuck Sutures, Tummy Tuck Sutures; Tummy Tuck Stitches; Abdominoplasty Sutures; Abdominoplasty Stitches; Surgical Stitches, Surgical Sutures, Tummy Tuck Stitches, Abdominoplasty Sutures, Abdominoplasty Stitches