Medical Cosmetic Service

Silhouette threadlift - Patient Information Sheet

Introduction

As the aging process begins, the connective tissue thins and collagen fibres break down. These changes in the support structures appear as sagging, deep creases, folds and wrinkles that can appear in your thirties.

The idea to lift selected parts of the face with special threads is not new. It was first published in 1956 when surgeons were using nylon threads as well as exotic materials like gold thread to achieve a lifting effect. The aim is to tighten the subcutaneous tissues as well as the overlying skin. The procedure has the advantage of lifting the desired parts of the face or upper neck or body with minimal scarring, under local anaesthetic. There is little downtime and minimal discomfort and complications as it is minimally invasive procedure. The results may not be as dramatic as a surgical procedure, but it gives good results in selected cases - mainly, young or mature patients who do not want and do not need major surgery.

Because with the thread lift we do not cut any excess skin, this procedure is mostly suitable for younger individuals who do not have much excess skin or, older individuals who have already had a face lift and the excess skin has been removed and they just need a little "refresher" of their results.

A Silhouette threadlift needle (with thread attached) is inserted under the skin to place the thread where required. The threads are designed to have barbs which grab the tissues and hold them in position. Contour Threads are permanent; they can be complimented by further threads or even a facelift in the future.

The results of the procedure are visible 2 weeks after but improvements will continue to be seen over the next 3-6 month period due to the collagen production stimulated by the threads.

Depending on your particular needs the threads can be inserted in different ways to achieve more lifting in older individuals or to achieve better facial contours in a younger individual, i.e. more pronounced cheekbones. You will be advised of this at the consultation.

What is a Silhouette Lift?

Silhouette-Lift is a new technique developed for use with Silhouette Sutures, a new suspension thread. This minimally invasive technique is used to lift and reposition sagging mid face tissue. These threads are made from polypropylene, a biocompatible material with the human body which has been used for many years in cardiovascular and ophthalmic surgery. Silhouette Sutures offer significantly greater lift due to their unique absorbable cones which give strong traction when lifting the soft tissue. The sutures are attached to the temporal fascia. To achieve this, a small incision is made above the hairline, where the sutures are anchored.

Am I the ideal patient for a Silhouette Lift?

If you are over 38/ 40 years old and have started experiencing facial sagging and less sharpness in the oval of your face then you will benefit from Silhouette Lift, provided you follow the advice of a qualified aesthetic doctor or plastic surgeon.

Does a Silhouette Lift require a general anaesthetic or hospitalisation?

A Silhouette Lift is performed under local anaesthetic in the practice of your surgeon without the need of hospitalisation.

How long is the procedure?

The procedure takes less than 2 hours for the face and less than 1 hour for the neck.

What reassurance do I have with the Silhouette Sutures?

The Silhouette Sutures have been approved by the US FDA and have received the CE mark. These approvals are unique in the market. Further more, all the doctors and surgeons referenced on our website have been trained to use the Silhouette Lift technique. The training is both theoretical and practical and includes live surgery.

How long is the recovery time?

Patients can go back to their normal activities within two days but it usually takes ten days for the skin to fully recover its natural aspect and for all marks to disappear.

What about the results?

The results are first and foremost natural. Your appearance is less tired, your face is refreshed but you remain the same. This rejuvenation keeps all your expressions alive.

How long do the results last?

As of today, the track record on the Silhouette Sutures is two years for plastic surgery and four years for reconstructive surgery in the US. Our research and development team considers the results to have a four year lasting period. Unfortunately, any rejuvenation procedure does not stop the aging process.

Why is Silhouette Lift the best available procedure in the thread lift market?

• The Silhouette Sutures are used in areas other than plastic surgery. Many surgeons are using the Silhouette Sutures to treat facial paralysis and also for reconstructive surgery interventions;
• The Silhouette Lift technique is the most reliable on the market as it is based on mechanics;
• The unique design of the hollow cones is harmless and the Silhouette Sutures can not break;
• The Silhouette Sutures are attached, hence they can not migrate and the risk of the Silhouette Sutures moving within your face is non-existent;
• As the Silhouette Sutures are not absorbable, the traction and the suspension effects are long lasting.

Who should I contact to benefit from this new rejuvenation technique?

Silhouette Lift requires all potential surgeons and aesthetic doctors to follow a specific training if they want to offer the Silhouette Lift technique to their patients. Their names and locations are on the web page citing certified practitioners. They are the only ones who can safely perform the technique.

Can this procedure be combined with other cosmetic procedures?

This is a stand alone procedure although it is not uncommon to have this procedure combined with botulinium toxin to reduce facial muscle activity, dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid or fat to enhance volume, or peels and laser therapy to improve skin texture as well as Liposuction of the neck - these are some of the other procedures that can be done in conjunction with thread lift procedure.

Will I still be able to have a conventional/traditional facelift or browlift at another time?

Absolutely. The contour lift threads are very fine therefore you have the choice to have more threads put in or go on and have other procedures in the future.

Possible indications may include:

• Moderate drooping of the eyebrow, cheeks, jowls, neck
• Threads have also been used to lift and reposition for various parts of the body, i.e. breasts, inner thighs and upper arms, but this procedure is still in its early stages of development.

Potential problems and complications?

No procedure is perfect and all operations may have some problems. You should read your consent forms carefully and make certain that you understand the Thread lift procedure and its limitations well. In general, this procedure has fewer serious risks than other operations used to treat aging, such as a facelift or laser treatment.

ASYMMETRY: after any surgery it is not uncommon to have asymmetry. After threading there may be a difference between the two sides. This is often seen at surgery and is corrected if it appears afterwards. Additional surgery or Threads may be needed.

MIGRATION: the barbed thread can move out of place (dislocate) and even come to the surface and extrude. If this happens another thread may need to be placed.

BLEEDING AND HAEMATOMA: during surgery small blood vessels can be damaged and this may cause bruising and bleeding. A collection of blood called a haematoma may occur, but is extremely rare.

INGROWTH OF SKIN AND HAIR: hair or skin can grow into the incision line or puncture holes and cause irritation.

THREAD BREAKAGE: although the stitches are strong they can break. If this happens another stitch may need to be placed.

SKIN IRREGULARITIES: irregularities in the area of surgery can develop and cause puckering or even divots and depressions. Most of the time these will disappear but this may take many weeks.

BUNCHING AND PLEATING: if the patient has a lot of loose skin this can cause pleating. Most of the time this will disappear. This is more of a problem for older patients and those with more skin laxity and aging change.

THREAD PALPABLE: the knot or suture can sometimes be felt under the skin. If it is a problem then it may need to be removed but the result and outcome may be affected.

TOO TIGHT (PERSISTENT): it is common for the skin to feel tight after surgery. This usually improves but in rare cases it persists and may feel uncomfortable.

TOO LOOSE: in some patients the skin may not remain tight. If this occurs in the first few weeks the patient and doctor must discuss whether to repeat the procedure with more Thread or use additional surgery like a facelift.

INFECTION: infection is a risk of any surgery. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics. If the infection is severe the thread may need to be removed.

DYSTONIA: muscle cramps like a writer's cramp can occur in the muscle underneath the area of the thread. This can be painful.

SEROMA: a collection of serum, called a seroma may develop and need drainage with a needle. In rare cases this may require removal of the thread.

FACIAL NERVE DAMAGE: as with a traditional facelift there is risk of damage to the nerve that provides movement to the face, the facial nerve. This is rare and much less likely to occur with Thread lift that with a traditional facelift.

NUMBNESS: nerves that supply feeling to the skin can be damaged by the needle passing through the skin. This usually disappears with time but in rare cases persistent numbness or even pain may occur.

PIGMENT CHANGES: a temporary change in pigment of the skin can occur in the area of the thread. This usually disappears but in rare cases may be permanent.

ALLERGIC REACTION TO LOCAL ANAESTHETIC OR MEDICINE: your body can exhibit an allergic or idiosyncratic reaction to any medicine as well as to the material of the thread .

SWELLING: swelling usually lasts a few days, but can be persistent and take many weeks to resolve.