A tummy tuck , also known as abdominoplasty, is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure to help flatten the abdomen. During a tummy tuck, the surgeon makes incisions and removes excess fat and skin to tighten muscles and achieve a slimmer profile.
But what about the stitches used during the procedure? Do tummy tuck stitches dissolve on their own eventually?
What Type of Stitches Are Used for a Tummy Tuck?
There are a few types of tummy tuck stitches and sutures the surgeon may use:
Deep Stitches
- Located underneath the skin to bring together and support deeper tissues
- Typically made of material that the body will eventually absorb over time
- Usually, the first set of sutures placed
Dissolvable Stitches
- Placed just under the skin to close the wound
- Made of specially manufactured material that dissolves over time
- Eventually, they disappear, so there is no need for the removal
Non-Dissolvable Stitches
- Also placed just under the skin for wound closure
- Made of material like nylon that does not dissolve
- Must be manually removed by the surgeon
So, in short – yes, some of the stitches used for a tummy tuck are dissolvable, while others are not. The deep stitches and some of the outer skin stitches dissolve on their own.
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How Long Does It Take for Tummy Tuck Stitches to Dissolve?
The exact timeframe for dissolvable tummy tuck stitches to fade away can vary slightly from person to person. But in general:
| Stitch Type | Time to Dissolve |
| Deep Stitches | 6 to 12 months |
| – Made of absorbable suture material | |
| – Located underneath the skin layers | |
| Dissolvable Skin Stitches | 4 to 6 weeks |
| – Placed in the outer skin closure | |
| – Made of manufactured dissolvable materials |
Key Points:
- Deep absorbable sutures take the longest to dissolve – approximately 6 months to 1 year.
- Outer skin closure stitches made of dissolvable suture material fade within 1-2 months.
- The dissolving process happens slowly and gradually over time
- Healing and scar maturation can continue over a year as stitches absorb internally
So, while visible skin sutures may disappear more quickly, the ongoing deep tissue healing supported by absorbable deep stitches lasts for many months.
What About Non-Dissolvable Stitches?
Any non-dissolvable sutures used for wound closure during abdominoplasty will need to be taken out. This is usually done about 5 to 10 days after surgery.
Your surgeon will carefully remove these remaining stitches during follow-up appointments. Trying to take them out yourself could lead to infection or wound opening.
Signs of Tummy Tuck Stitches Dissolving
How can you tell if your abdominoplasty stitches are dissolving according to plan? Signs can include:
| Sign | Description |
| Reduced inflammation/swelling around the wound site | As stitches dissolve, inflammation and swelling from surgical trauma should gradually subside around the incision area |
| Fading tiny stitch segment visibility under the skin | The tiny bits of thread of both deep and skin-level sutures become less prominent over time |
| Smoothing out any puckered areas of skin | Dissolving stitches allow abdominoplasty incisions to heal flatter and tighter as tissue reconnects internally first |
| No signs of fluid leakage or oozing | Proper healing means no drainage fluid leaking from wounds as the swelling goes down |
| No redness, soreness, or irritation around wound borders | Disappearing stitches help minimise residual skin irritation or discomfort around healing abdominal incision |
Monitor the healing and let your surgeon know if you have any concerns!
Can Dissolvable Stitches Open Up Wounds?
For most tummy tuck patients, the dissolvable sutures fade away without issue as the incision heals. But occasionally, problems can occur as the stitches disappear:
Delayed Wound Healing
If healing progresses slower than normal, a small gap may appear where the sutures dissolve. This can lead to fluid build-up under the skin called seroma. Additional procedures may be needed to drain fluid and close the gap.
Early Loss of Wound Strength
Premature dissolving of the deep or outer stitches before the incision fully closes internally can sometimes cause minor wound separation. This may require medical care to prevent infection and re-close the wound.
Visible Stitch Segment Remnants
Sometimes, tiny bits of dissolved suture material can remain visible under the healing skin for several months. These can eventually work their way out but may also need removal if bothersome.
So be sure to follow all wound care instructions carefully during the tummy tuck healing period! The Abdominoplasty Necessity Guide is a helpful book that tells you when you might need a tummy tuck surgery. It’s easy to understand, even for a 5th grader!
The Ideal Belly Tightening Technique is a special way to exercise that helps make your stomach muscles stronger and firmer. It’s like doing sit-ups but in a more effective and safe way. Swelling after a tummy tuck usually starts to go down after a few weeks, but it can take a few months to fully disappear. When does swelling diminish after a tummy tuck? It varies, but most people see a big improvement in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Tummy tuck local numbing helps you not feel pain during the surgery by making your belly area numb. Tummy tuck operation removes extra skin and fat from the belly
Conclusion
The query ‘Do Tummy Tuck Stitches Dissolve?’ is addressed with the understanding that most tummy tuck procedure s use dissolvable stitches. These stitches are designed to disintegrate gradually, aiding in the healing process and reducing the need for stitch removal, thus facilitating a smoother recovery period.
If sagging abdominal skin or stubborn fat pockets are bringing you down, a tummy tuck using dissolvable sutures could provide transformative results. Be sure to select an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your abdominoplasty for the best aesthetic outcome.
Book a Consultation with Dr Shehzadi Tasneem Sultan , Top Plastic Surgeon in Dubai, for a personalised treatment plan to help you achieve your body goals!
Tummy Tuck Dissolvable Stitches FAQs
Still have questions about dissolvable abdominoplasty sutures? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
