A suture lift, or thread lift, is a type of face lift in which a barbed thread is inserted below the surface of the skin. Once the thread has been adjusted into the proper position, the surgeon can release the barbs, anchoring them into the subcutaneous tissues. The threads can then be pulled up and back, to tighten sagging facial skin. The suture lift is considered a minimally invasive plastic surgery procedure, since it generally takes only about one to two hours to perform, and most patients need no more than a week of recovery time. The results of a suture lift are not generally as dramatic as the results of a traditional face lift, and most patients who choose this procedure are in their 30s or 40s, with minimal facial sagging.
This cosmetic surgery procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia. It is often done as an outpatient procedure, although patients are usually advised not to drive immediately following the procedure. The suture lift can be done on the forehead or the middle facial area. It can also be used to tighten the appearance of the neck, chin, and jawline.
The procedure is typically performed by making small incisions in the facial skin. The surgeon will use these incisions to insert barbed threads beneath the surface of the skin. The barbs protrude and anchor the skin to the thread, allowing the surgeon to adjust the facial skin by pulling it back and up. There are two main techniques for performing the suture lift. The surgeon may use his hands to mold the skin of the face around the sutures, ensuring that they anchor into the skin at the right places. Otherwise, the surgeon may use insert instruments beneath the skin to ensure the appropriate placement of the sutures.
Most patients recover from this procedure in about a week, although full recovery can take as long as three weeks. The suture lift is generally known for being less painful and causing fewer side effects than the more invasive traditional face lift. Mild bruising, swelling and discomfort are likely to occur. Most patients must restrict themselves to soft foods for the first week after a thread lift, and they may need help with ordinary activities for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
Risks of the thread lift procedure include numbness in the treatment area, infection, and slippage of the surgical threads. Some patients have found that the sutures become visible beneath the skin shortly after recovery is complete. The results of this procedure are said to be subtle, and some patients may not notice any improvement afterward.
