Dr Seckel, I have had the contour thread lift done about 3 months ago and do not like the outcome. Can the threads be removed safely and once removed, how long until my face get’s back to it’s original position? Thank you, Aaron, Tulsa, Ok
Dear Aaron,
Thank you for your question about the Contour® thread lift. I am happy to provide you with general information about the thread lift procedure, but since I have not examined you personally I cannot give specific advice about your particular case. I recommend that you consult your own plastic surgeon who performed the Countour® thread face lift about your concerns, and if he/she is not available, be sure to consult a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in the Countour® thread face lift. The thread lift is very different from the facelift that I perform.
The first thing I would do would be to ask your surgeon if the results you see and are unhappy with are final. Three months is early in the post operative recovery period after any face lift and I am sure your results are not final. Ask your doctor if he/she expects that your face will improve to an appearance you are happy with. I have heard many anecdotal reports that the face does begin to sag again and the elevation produced by the thread lift falls back down after 3-6 months, so you may not need to have surgery to have the threads removed.
In answer to your question, yes thread lift threads can be removed, but they must be removed properly. Face lift threads are a form of facial implant thus special care is needed. Since the threads used in the thread lift have small barbs on them which hook or hold the undersurface of the skin, they are difficult to remove by pulling them upward and could break if this is attempted.
Thus the thread lift threads must be removed by pulling them downward so that they do not hook the skin as they are removed. This would require opening the lower puncture wound where the original thread lift needle was inserted, finding the thread and attempting to pull down and remove the thread lift thread without breaking it. The upper portion of the thread lift thread which is attached higher on your head of course also has to be released through an incision. It is very important that any incisions be very small or minimal and if possible placed in a location that is not visible so that your face is not scarred during the removal process.
I hope this information is helpful.
Be sure to see your doctor, the person who performed your surgery, and bring your concerns to him/her. It is very likely that you can be helped to return your face to the original appearance, but it is very important that any surgical procedures be kept to a minimum to avoid any further facial scarring.
For further information about facial rejuvenation visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Website, read Save Your Face or contact me.
Sincerely,
Boston, Massachusetts
Peabody, Massachusetts