Threadlift Information and Photos

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"I want a facelift with little downtime"

The threadlift: a new type of face lift with little downtime

The Threadlift is a new type of facelift that can be done in the office and has a very short recovery period. The threadlift is a less involved procedure than the traditional facelift. In general, the traditional facelift will result in longer downtime but also more noticeable and long lasting results. However, some patients with busy lifestyles, or who don't feel at ease with longer procedures, want a less involved procedure with limited downtime, even if the result is subtler.

The threadlift serves this need and can be done in an office setting with minimal anesthesia and minimal downtime. Please note that this procedure is not related to the 'Lifestyle Lift'.

Who is a candidate for the threadlift procedure?

Patients who want a more subtle change in the mid face and lower face and who also need minimal downtime are candidates for a threadlift. Patients who have a lot of sagging of the skin or deep folds in the tissues might be disappointed if they expect a big improvement. If you want a big improvement in your facial structure, the mid facelift or full facelift may be a better option.

What is involved in the threadlift procedure?

The thread lift procedure uses a barbed suture to grasp the tissues and elevate them. Because tissues are not being separated from each other and there is much less lifting of the skin, postoperative swelling and bruising are markedly reduced.

What areas of the face is the threadlift performed?

The threadlift procedure can be performed on the midface, brow, or lower face. The midface seems to be an area where the thread lift procedure can be used to great effect.In just 1-2 hours time, a patient can have a totally refreshed appearance, with just a few days of recovery time.

What is the recovery time for the threadlift procedure?

If you live in the Baltimore area, you can go home immediately following your procedure. The recovery time for the threadlift is less than one week. During that period you should not rub the face, or eat foods which require a lot of chewing. If you are comfortable wearing thin, flesh colored bandages, you can go to work the next day.

If I live out of town, how long do I have to stay?

Out of town patients are encouraged to stay overnight, but they can drive themselves home the following day. However, if a friend drives you to the procedure, you can go home immediately following the procedure.

Are a lot of plastic surgeons performing the threadlift procedure?

The procedure is new and not yet in widespead use by plastic surgeons. It will take a few years before enough data can be accumulated in order to gain wide acceptance.

In 1997 I actually started thinking about how a different kind of suture could lift the face in a more efficient way. Little did I know, but that suture had already been patented and was in in early stage development. Please read my threadlift post at my plastic surgery blog to learn about the barbed suture inventor and what I think about the suture.

In our own medical society, the ASPS, (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), opinions are currently divided over the threadlift procedure. However, you should know that when the liposuction procedure was introduced by a French plastic surgeon in the 1970's, many members of our society were against it. Opinions gradually changed over the procedure and today, liposuction is the most popular plastic surgery procedure in the U.S. As time progresses, perhaps the fate and popularity of the threadlift procedure will follow the same path.

I believe the threadlift procedure has promise if the candidate is chosen carefully and expectations and complications are thoroughly reviewed. My threadlift patients have been very happy with their results.

What is the media saying about the threadlift procedure?

In January 2006, the Washington Post ran an article profiling Dr. Rodriguez and the threadlift technique. The article also interviews and quotes other plastic surgeons about the threadlift procedure. Read this thread lift article here.

What is the cost of the thread lift procedure?

The cost of the thread ift is less than the conventional face lift because the procedure is not as time consuming and can be done in an office setting. The fee for the threadlift surgery is determined by the number of threads that are used. For example, the midface threadlift procedure usually requires 4 theadlift sutures. Thus, the total fee for this area of the face usually averages between $2000-$2500. Financing is available.

What's Right for Me?: Interactive Plastic Surgery Quiz

To explore if you are a candidate for the threadlift or other facial procedures, please visit Dr. Rodriguez' interactive plastic surgery quiz "What's Right for Me?".