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I have a blue string sticking out from my areola incision. It's been over 1 1/2 months

That blue suture is likely a permanent stitch (often ethibond) used to reinforce the deeper layers of your incision, and it sounds like a stitch that's spitting, meaning the knot or tail is working its way to the skin surface instead of staying buried. This happens sometimes as tissue swelling resolves and the suture becomes more prominent. Left alone, an exposed permanent suture can act as a track for bacteria and may delay healing at that spot, which in a breast augmentation raises some risk of local infection or irritation near the implant pocket. It's usually not a big deal to fix. Your surgeon can often simply trim the exposed end or remove the suture entirely in a quick office visit. I wouldn't try to pull it out yourself. Get it seen by your plastic surgeon sooner rather than later so the incision can close cleanly.

Clinical Context

Suture spitting happens when a stitch used to close deeper layers slowly works its way to the skin surface, often as swelling goes down. Permanent sutures like ethibond are more likely to do this than dissolvable ones, since the body can't break them down. It's a common, minor complication and not a sign your surgery failed. Removal in the office is simple and usually resolves it quickly, with little risk of recurrence.

Answered By

Dr. Steven Williams

President Emeritus of ASPS

Dr. Steven Williams is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the Past President of the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a charitable person who dedicates his life to those in need of his unique expertise.

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