How long does it take for dissolvable stitches to go?

Your questions answered by our surgeon, Lucian Ion, FRCS(Plast)

Asked on 12 July 2012

Question

I had breast implants done 9 days ago, I have dissolvable stitches. How long does it take for stitches to go?

Answer

If you are referring to dissolvable sutures that are placed on the surface of the skin, they typically take 2 to 3 weeks to fall off. It may be preferable to remove some of them to avoid any marks on the skin in addition to the incision line itself.

Dissolvable sutures that are internal will take longer to disperse, but typically only the knots of the suture material are potentially problematic as they can irritate the wound. If that happens, typically only the problematic knot is removed.

Mr Lucian Ion FRCS(Plast)
129 Harley Street
London
W1G 6BA