Opinions on Silhouette Lift?

Finally a minimally minor surgical lift can now be offered as an alone technique or as an add on to open facelifting. The biggest issue is the cost of the Silhouette Sutures (at $100 - $150 per suture). If using 14 sutures than the costs becomes high for the product in the $2,000 range. Thus the fee would be in the $4,000 range. The longevity is 18 months to 2 years. The major advantages are: no true incisions or pre auricular scars, very very fast recovery, under local anesthesia, short operative time (after getting experience), very satisfied patients. So now I offer Face/Neck Lifting as 4 categories with possible combinations. 1. Silhouette Insta Lift, 2. Mini FL/NL, 3. Midi FL/NL - SMAS, 4. Full open Face/Neck/Submental Lift. I think Sinclair Pharma has opened a new horizon for simple acceptable face lifting. The 'Silhouette Lift' IS NOT a thread lift! Yes, it uses a prolene suture with PolyLastic Acid (Sculptra) cones along its length. A completely NEW concept. I at first was VERY spectacle but after receiving hands on training and now having preformed over 25 cases -ALL I CAN SAY IT WORKS! Update 11/20/2015: After having preformed 35 cases on various patients over 98% are happy. I have divided the Silhouette Lift in to differing categories based upon different concepts.Based upon anatomic areas: 1. Mid Face Lift - 8 sutures; 2. Temple Lift 2 to 4 sutures; 3. Neck lift 2 to 4 sutures+; 5. A combination of the previous areas.Based upon age without previous facial surgeries: 1. Under 35 -  mid face &/or temple lifts. 2. Under 45 - mid face, temple, neck. 3. Under 55 - same as 45. 4. Older Any combination. With all categories addition of fillers, peels, Botox, fat grafts is offered.Based upon previous FaceLift surgeries: 1. Add a slight additional lift - 2 to 4 sutures. 2. In combination with secondary FaceLifts. Please understand we all have had patients request no cutting or scars. The Silhouette Lift offers an alternative temporary solution. More to follow.....Update: Over 40 cases done on ages from 33 to 72 years. Used from 2 to 16 sutures. VERY impressed results. Plus after 3 months the Scupltra cones cause increased collagen deposition making the results even better!Update: So there is NO confusion, there are 2 options in the Silhouette Lift Suspension Sutures. #1 Is the original Silhouette Lift sutures which are unidirectional PLL cones with a suture of prolene. #2 Is the Bi-dircetional Silhouette InstaLift Suspension Sutures using PLL cones in opposite directions on an absorbable suture. The #2 is just been released in the USA with FDA approval for mid face suspension. The #s around the world of the cases using this suspension sutures are 130,000+ and counting!!! Results are very good. It MUST be stated this is NOT a THREAD LIFT!!! There are very few certified US doctors offering these suspension bi-directional sutures at present. But training courses are being offered. So more and more doctors will become qualified. On another note, the technique must be strictly observed. The 'u' insertion technique is incorrect use of these bi-directional suspension sutures. As was shown on the Doctor's Show recently. This "u" placement technique does not last and is NOT recommended. The correct insertion is to take advantage of the bi-dirctional forces. Till next time. Regards Dr Darryl J Blinski, MIAMI

Update 01/30/2017: It has been a while since I posted here. I am rarely using the Silhouette InstaLift sutures for a few reasons. They are only FDA approved for mid face, thus other areas of use are 'off-label' use. Next the learning curve fr correct placement is more difficult for the non surgeons using them. I say this because I have been redoing many cases from non surgeons whom placed these sutures incorrect, even though they were supposedly trained? Also I must state the expensive per suture is outrageous! Then as a end user the costs approaches that of a mini face life. The positive uses are in the temple area as a 'u' placed suture for a lift effect. The sales company - Thermi Aesthetics - is a very reputable company. And finally, I have been using the PDO Threads or NOVA Threads as a comparison or a competitor. 

Instalift is a great new option available for treating facial ptosis. It's the first product on the market that truly lifts the skin. Some providers have been trying to fill out the facial envelope with the liquid facelift to get the allusion of a lift but this really creates unnatural results. The Instalift allows you to lift and fill in more proportional volumes. The fact that it's dissolvable and biostimulatory is beneficial as well. Like all nonsurgical options, it isn't meant for everyone. Patients with early signs of aging and don't have overly thin or heavy skin are generally good candidates. See a board certified plastic surgeon who can offer you all the options and not just nonsurgical choices so you can get a true evaluation of what will serve you best. 

Thank you for your question.  The Silhouette Lift consists of small entry points made in your skin by a needle.  There is no scalpel used.  No incision scars.  This is all good news if someday you might need or want a formal facelift/necklift.  You can also receive another Silhouette Lift a couple years after the first if you are still not ready/not a candidate for a facelift  The material is the same that we use with Sculptra injectable.  Often Sculptra patients will come back every few years for a touch up.  Volume can also work well with other modalities, (Juvederm, Volluma, etc.).  The choice between modalities depends on how much these issues bother you, how aggressive you want to be, and your anatomy.   Again, one should do a proper history and physical exam to see if you are a candidate.  Best to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Otolaryngologist, (ENT).  They will be able to let you know what might work best in your case, (Silhouette Lift vs. Fillers vs. Surgery), as they do all of the above.  Please call with any questions.
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D. F.A.C.S.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery