Research >
Contour Thread Lift
Research a cosmetic surgery procedure
Contour Thread Lift
Contour Thread Lift
Contour Threads™, the only F.D.A. approved nonabsorbent threads for use in the U.S., are the latest development in a long line of implantable, specially designed surgical threads used to lift sagging skin on the midface, forehead, eyebrows and neck. Experts say the procedure is not for everybody nor is it intended to replace a full surgical facelift wherein a lot of sagging skin, along with some underlying muscle, is trimmed, stretched tighter and stitched back into place.
Contour Threads™ fit into into one of the most sweeping trends in plastic and cosmetic surgery. That trend is short procedures with minimal recovery time. More people are willing to return to their surgeon sooner after those quick procedures when the youthful look fades somewhat. The trend is often referred to as “lunchtime” cosmetic surgery because many procedures are done in under an hour.
What are the Benefits of Contour Threadlifts™?
The quick answer: a more youthful, rested look, gained in a short period of time with minimal scarring and without being put to sleep under general anesthesia. Having a Contour Threadlift™ also cost much less than having a full face lift. Most patients range in age from thirty to sixty and have moderate drooping of the face and brow.
Where Do I Begin?
Not all plastic and cosmetic surgeons are authorized to use and work with the threads. The manufacturer requires surgeons to first take a short training course before being allowed to use the threads in surgery. You can use our Surgeon Finder (at the top, right) to locate in your area a physician cleared to do the procedure.
How is a Contour Threadlift™ Performed?
The operation starts when the surgeon, using a thick, hollow needle, inserts a thread into the fat layer just under the patient’s skin, starting near the cheekbone, (if the task at hand is to lessen the nasolabial folds, those thick, facial creases that run from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth.) One end of the thread is then tied to deeper, firmer internal structures in the face. The other end of the thread travels under the skin about four inches. When the surgeon withdraws the needle, barbs on the sutures deposit themselves in the drooping parts of the face. The physician then gently tugs on the thread which pulls the loose flesh up, closer to where it once sat in the patient’s youth, and ties it down. Many surgeons say the procedure is like opening an umbrella under loose skin. New collagen then forms around each thread to maintain the lifted effect. The technique can be used to lift sagging cheeks, jowls and to create a better balance for eyebrows that may not be symmetrical. The procedure usually takes less than an hour to complete, depending on the number of threads used. Patients are able to go home soon afterwards.
People who are NOT good candidates, according to the manufacturer, are patients with thin, fragile aging skin, patients who want a dramatic transformation, people with very heavy, jowly faces and those who have thin faces with very little facial fat.
In most cases, four threads are the minimum needed to lift moderate sagging of one facial area.
What Are The Risks Associated with a Contour Threadlift™?
Any invasive procedure, no matter how slight, carries some risk. With Contour Threads™, the usual, expected risks include minor bruising and swelling, infection, and the threads popping out of the skin. The patient’s face must be kept immobile for several days after the procedure so the threads won’t be dislodged. That usually means no loud laughing, a minimum of talking, no facial rubbing, sleeping on your back and avoiding opening your mouth too widely. The restrictions are lifted after three weeks. Patients usually return to work within three days. With surgical makeup, many patients can return to work the day after surgery. In most cases, only local anesthesia is required although you may also request twilight sedation.
What Are the Typical Results of a Contour Threadlift™ and How Long Do they Last?
Results are immediate. During your consultation, your surgeon can show you, using a mirror, the approximate amount of lift you can expect to get with Contour Threads™. The actual duration of the lift depends on the age of the patient at the time of the procedure, the amount of sagging in his or her face and the number of threads used. The lift can last three to five years in some cases.
Contour Threads™ are non-absorbable and will not dissolve over time; the threads are made of polypropylene, a material which has been used in brain, heart and abdominal surgery for many years.
According to the manufacturer, the procedure to place Contour Threads™ can be combined with other surgical rejuvenation techniques like Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, or laser therapy to improve skin texture. Liposuction of the neck and jowls, and chin augmentation can also be done in conjunction with a Contour Threadlift™.
What Are the Typical Costs Associated with a Contour Threadlift™?
Fees vary according to the part of the nation in which you live. For instance, cosmetic surgery in New York City costs more than in South Carolina. But the general range for a Contour Threadlift™ is usually $2000 to $5000 per facial areas. The areas that can be treated include the brows, midface, cheek, jowls and neck.
CosmeticSurgery.com provides general information about plastic and cosmetic surgery to help consumers make decisions about their own treatment options. However, the medical information provided is not the same as medical advice – the application of medical treatment to an individual’s specific circumstances. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend that you consult a qualified medical practitioner if you want the professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.
|
|
|
|
Benjamin Schlechter, MD
Larry Weinstein, MD, FACS
Adam Tattelbaum, MD
Sarah A. Mess, MD
