I saw your answer to a blog and was impressed. I am a nurse but can’t to seem to get the help I need for a past surgery. I had a breast reduction in 1998 and was allergic to the vicryl sutures they placed. Since I have had several abcessess removed and found that I am allergic to every brand of dissolvable sutures we have tried. Therefore a revision is out of the question. While I have several spots that the sutures still come out of I am now having other issues. A cyst burst inside and I am having serous drainage from my nipple. Sonograms are negative, but this is not normal nor acceptable to me. I am in NY and had the surgery in the GA and all post op work in FL. I cannot find a surgeon who whould be willing to deal with a problem that they did not create, or they want to remove tissue and replace with dissolvable sutures because they cannot believe that I could be allergic to all kinds. Do you have a collegue in my area or any suggestions that may be of use. I would really appretiate it.
Answer:
Hi
Thank you for your comment. Although I do not perform any body aesthetic surgery I have seen 2 patients in the last 9 years who have had such allergic responses to a variety of sutures.
Whenever possible, removal of the offending foreign body is prudent but in most such cases complete removal of all sutures is nearly impossible.
I am sorry to hear you have not been able to find a plastic surgeon willing to help you. It is the primary role of every doctor to help each and every patient unless he/she thinks that there is a more qualified doctor who would be better suited to help the patient.
I do not know of any plastic surgeons off hand in NYC other than a few good Facial Plastic Surgeons but my suggestion would be to visit a tertiary care medical center instead of a private practice doctor. It is very rare and negligent of an academic surgeon to turn away a patient in need. There are plenty of fantastic hospitals with teaching programs in NYC. You should not have too much of a difficult time finding a good plastic surgeon who can examine you and devise an acceptable solution to your suffering.
