Buried Suture Removal (Non-Incisional): A Comprehensive Guide from Cause to Recovery

Buried suture removal is a revision surgery that precisely removes the sutures inserted during non-incisional double eyelid surgery through tiny holes. We'll tell you whether an incision is made, if your eyes return to their original state, and the recovery period.

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The non-incisional double eyelid method (buried suture method) is currently the most commonly performed double eyelid surgery. Many people choose it because it creates a double eyelid line using only sutures without an incision, leading to faster recovery and less swelling. However, problems arise when patients are dissatisfied with the line or experience a foreign body sensation. This is when buried suture removal, or the removal of buried sutures, becomes necessary.

Today, we will delve into what buried suture removal entails and why it is a procedure that ‘looks simple but is actually highly complex’.

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■ What is Buried Suture Removal?

Buried suture removal is a revision surgery to locate and remove the buried sutures that were inserted under the eyelid skin to create a double eyelid line during the original non-incisional double eyelid surgery. It is also referred to as ‘buried thread removal’ or ‘non-incisional method thread removal’ and is classified as a separate category of revision surgery, distinct from incisional revision surgery.

The key point is this: because buried sutures are delicately embedded beneath the eyelid skin, removing them requires far more experience and tactile sensitivity than removing them with direct visual confirmation through an incision. This is because the surgeon must track the suture's location solely through touch and experience, without being able to see it directly.

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■ Who Considers Buried Suture Removal?

01. Those who are dissatisfied with the results of their non-incisional double eyelid surgery.

02. Those who experience a foreign body sensation or discomfort in their eyelids.

03. Those whose original double eyelid line was faint but now appears ‘pinched’ after the non-incisional method.

04. Those whose line was created too high and wish to return to their original eye shape.

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■ Do My Eyes Return to Their Original State After Buried Suture Removal?

We receive this question very frequently. To put it simply, in most cases, removing the sutures causes the line to loosen and the eyes to return close to their original shape. However, in rare instances, the sutures may not completely loosen. Even in such cases, combining the procedure with massage can increase the likelihood of the line loosening.

In other words, we cannot 100% guarantee ‘complete restoration just by removing the sutures’, but in most cases, the line naturally loosens.

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■ Is an Incision Made for Buried Suture Removal?

No. The answer is NO.

At Gangnam Seoyeon Plastic Surgery, we locate and remove the sutures using only a very small hole, similar in size to the one originally made during the non-incisional double eyelid surgery, at the same spot where the initial procedure was performed. Since we do not incise or tear tissues, there is minimal damage and fast recovery.

This method is not something Dr. Choi Dong-il learned from another hospital; rather, it is a unique expertise he developed through extensive clinical experience. Since the location and thickness of buried sutures vary for each patient, accurately finding them through a tiny hole requires considerable skill.

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■ How Can I Confirm That All Sutures Have Been Removed?

Occasionally, patients visit us after having had buried sutures removed at another hospital, but still experience a foreign body sensation. They report being told by the previous hospital that ‘there’s no way to confirm if the sutures have been removed’, but we have actually found and removed remaining sutures in such cases.

To eliminate such unnecessary misunderstandings, Gangnam Seoyeon Plastic Surgery records and stores footage of the suture removal process. By documenting the moment the sutures are actually extracted from the body, you can confirm the results without any doubt about whether they have been removed.

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■ Buried Suture Removal Procedure Information

Surgery Time: 30-60 minutes

Anesthesia Method: Sedation or Local Anesthesia

Follow-up Visits: 1-2 times

Suture Removal: 5-7 days later

Hospitalization: Same-day discharge

Return to Daily Life: 3-7 days later

As no large incision is made, the recovery period is often similar to, or even slightly shorter than, that of a standard non-incisional double eyelid surgery.

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■ Buried Suture Removal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Will the line disappear just by removing the sutures?

A. In most cases, the line naturally loosens after suture removal. However, some faint marks may remain, and frequent massage can further increase the likelihood of the line loosening.

Q. Is an incision made?

A. No. Only a very small hole is made at the site of the original non-incisional procedure for removal, resulting in minimal tissue damage.

Q. Is revision surgery always necessary after suture removal?

A. It is not mandatory. However, if you desire a new line, suture removal and revision surgery can be performed together.

Q. Is the recovery period longer than for standard non-incisional double eyelid surgery?

A. It is similar or even slightly shorter, as no incision is made.

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■ In Conclusion

Buried suture removal may seem like a ‘simple procedure of just taking out the sutures’, but it is actually a highly complex revision surgery that requires locating invisible sutures by touch alone. We recommend carefully checking factors such as whether an incision is made, how suture removal is confirmed, and the surgeon's expertise before making a decision.

Gangnam Seoyeon Plastic Surgery precisely removes buried sutures through minimal holes without an incision and provides confidence in the results by filming and storing the suture removal process. If you are dissatisfied with your double eyelid line after a non-incisional procedure or experience a foreign body sensation, we recommend getting an accurate diagnosis.

※ After surgery, side effects such as bleeding, infection, or inflammation may occur depending on the individual, and satisfaction with the results may vary from person to person.

Gangnam Seoyeon Plastic Surgery Clinic complies with medical law. The photos in this post were taken under identical conditions and with the patient's prior consent. Please note that side effects such as bleeding, infection, or inflammation may occur after plastic surgery and procedures, depending on the individual.

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