FeatherLift®

Facelift with Aptos® Threads

The FeatherLift AKA the APTOS Lift, the APTOS Thread Lift and Suture Suspension Facelift is Kolster Methods, Inc.'s (K.M.I.) name for using monofilament, polypropylene threads with cogs or "barbs," called APTOS® threads*. These threads lift the underlying tissue and contour the face.

The Aptos® threads, help lift the face without invasive surgery. The threads, also known as Featherlift® or Russian Threads, are made out of polypropylene, a material which has been used for surgical sutures for many years, and have bidirectional cogs or barbs on their entire length. The threads serve as a truss to elevate a drooping jowl, brow or cheek pad. The thread has bi-directional knot-like barbs that hook tissue and lift it into place with more stability than conventional sutures. The thread can be gently tightened for added support. The treatment can be performed using local anesthesia in the doctor's office. Other procedures commonly performed at the same time include, Chemical Peels and Botox® (Cosmetic).

Botox® (Cosmetic) is sometimes recommended prior to the procedure, required for the brow, to help decrease the muscle pull prior to the procedure, for enhanced lift and stability. Thermage can be used later to tighten the collagen that forms along the sutures, thereby conferring additional, future benefit.

Minor regular activities and non-physically demanding work can be resumed in 30 minutes. Regular activities can be resumed in 24 hours. Normal physical or gym activities can be resumed in 5-7 days, though very activities or activities that could forcefully disrupt the threads should be avoided for 3 - 4 weeks.

Early Results can be seen immediately, (of course with some mild to moderate swelling in just under 24 hours.) In 2-3 weeks one can see more definitive results, though there is evidence that continued improvement may be seen for up to 6-8 months, as collagen formation is stimulated around the threads.

Which areas can be treated?

• Cheeks
• Crows Feet
• Eyebrow
• Smile Lines
• Mild Face Sagging
• Nasolabial Folds (marionette lines)

Who are the best candidates?

• Patients with:Drooping of the soft tissue of the face and neck
• Weakly pronounced aesthetic contours
• Flaccid, flat face
• Premature aging and sun damaged face

How does the FeatherLift® procedure differ from the conventional face-lift?

• No scars - the threads are always inserted through puncture wounds that heal virtually invisibly
• Minimal discomfort
• Quick recovery - most patients can return to work in less than a week
• Low risk associated with the procedure as compared to existing procedures
• No general or tumescent anesthesia is necessary, allowing for rapid recovery
• The procedure is quick, most cases taking an hour to do
• The procedure is virtually bloodless and painless
• There is little pain and swelling after the procedure

Featherlift

Quick Facts*

Procedure Length: The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour depending on the number of areas being treated.

Anesthesia: Only local anesthesia is required.

In/Outpatient: Inpatient procedure.

Side Effects / Risks: Complications are very rare but include the thread end working its way out of the entrance to the skin, which is remedied by just trimming the protruding end. Patients on occasion may develop a pucker. This is easily treated with massage.

Recovery: the threads leave no scars, are simple to insert, have minimal down time, require no bandages, and after care is usually applying ice as needed

Details: The FeatherLift is not a facelift. It will only provide very mild tightening of facial skin. It cannot be used as substitute for a real facelift. It is meant to be complementary to other minimally invasive procedures, such as BOTOX, soft tissue fillers, thermage, IPL, and numerous other treatments with little "downtime"The threads work by catching the tissues with a series of tiny cogs or barbs, just like a row of fish hooks, except that there is no metal involved. The small hooks catch the tissues and basically bunch it up. Over time the skin shrinks a bit because there is less pull on it. The shrinking happens over about 4 to six months.

TIMING: If you are planning on having other treatments, discuss this first with your doctor, BECAUSE TIMING OF THE TREATMENTS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Some of these are easy to understand. For example, Botox should be used before the threads, since a weaker wrinkle muscle is easier to hold in place, and you will get a better result!

Although this procedure is commonly called NON-SURGICAL, it is in fact surgery! Threads are placed in a precise pattern and in a specific location to obtain a result specific for your needs. However, no cutting is anticipated with this procedure. This procedure has been called the "Russian Thread Procedure", or simply "Threading". Procedure: This procedure is safe, quick and easy to perform. Performed under local anesthesia and if desired, light IV sedation, the patient remains awake and alert. Using a needle, the Aptos® threads are inserted into the subcutaneous fat, at required depth, along the contours that were previously marked.

NOTE: The FDA has just recently approved the new barbed sutures.

*From: http://www.plasticsurgerycan.com/featherlift.shtml