What is a Featherlift?

I have heard of a procedure called a Featherlift. What is a Featherlift and how is it different from a facelift?

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Featherlift

Featherlift was a good intentioned procedure but end up flopping. This involved threading sutures with barbs through the fat layer of the skin then pulling up on the strings to elevate sagging skin. However, over time (less than a year), gravity won out and the sagging skin fell again. The end result is that your left with sutures in your face that don't do anything for you. Look into a minilift procedure. Best, Dr. S.

Featherlift - Not even good in theory

Just a couple of years ago, "thread" lifting or "suture" lifting was a media darling. And now? Contour threads ("Thread lift") have been removed from the market and APTOS threads (the "Featherlift") are gone, too. Unfortunately, these procedures were unimpressive in their results and flawed even in theory. The idea was that barbed sutures--like porcupine quills--could be inserted under the skin, engage the tissue and then either lift it or bunch it... more

Featherlift Will Probably Not Hold Up Over Time

Featherlift will probably not hold up over time for your facelift, or as a technique. Some patients have had satisfactory results from this technique that uses sutures with barbs to tighten tissue. However, the sutures are expensive and little, if any money is saved with the technique. The barbed sutures are supposed to make less cutting and sewing necessary, but this does not seem to be holding up well, and has created some disturbing dimples or folds.

My Advice on XYZ Lifts

As a surgeon with over 20 years experience, I have seen a lot of these “newest and greatest” procedures come and go. I can only name a couple that have truly stood the test of time. A few keep coming back every few years with a new twist and a new brand name, but the same basic results. Put all the “blah-blah-blah lift” varieties in this category, along with cellulite reducing creams and non surgical bust enhancers. Here's my advice on XYZ lifts: Mini... more

Featherlift lies in the graveyard of trendy procedures

Featherlift is a great case example of why patients should do their research before embarking on a procedure because it is new or trendy. Truthfully, it was one of the most worthless procedures ever introduced to the American public (barbed sutures placed under the skin). It lies in the graveyard of failed trendy cosmetic procedures, a place with plenty of open spots for future gimmicks.

Featherlifts have flown the Coop

Hello, A Featherlift is a procedure that received a lot of attention a few years ago that offered minimal incisions and recovery and promised improvements in a patient's jowls and jawlines. It is done by making a small incision in the hairline by the ear and inserting a linear suture with hooks on the end that would lift the jowls up. A nice little procedure in theory but the results were overall disappointing for most patients. A Facelift has various forms but on the whole feature larger... more

Kamran Jafri, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.custom-lift.com

A Featherlift is a Marketing Term for a Facelift

The featherlift is a variant of the thread lift. This procedure uses sutures with barbs that hold the soft tissue in a suspended position. Unfortunately, with time, the barbs lose their traction and the patient develops recurrent facial skin sag. For this reason, the procedure has been widely criticized. The procedure has significant expense and is associated with minimal improvement. It’s not unusual for these types of procedures to be given names that have marketing value.... more

Featherlift - Not Worth It !

This is one of many ideas that had a lot of publicity and great hype but the results (or lack thereof) just did not support the expectation of patients and surgeons alike. Essentially "thread" lifting or " barbed suture" lifting is the concept. They are placed through small "stab incisions" and threaded through and tied under tension. Of course as would be expected the tiny barbs "cheese wired" through the soft tissue and the results fade in a... more

Marketing terms and a facelift

It used to be that advertising in plastic surgery, or medicine in general, was not the norm. Now of days, there are so many "cosmetic" surgeons who have approached these procedures without formal plastic surgery training, that they tend to use marketing, advertising and catchy names to try to promote business. Don't get fooled by a fancy ad, but make sure you discuss your complaints with a board certified plastic surgeon.

What is a Featherlift?...

Featherlift is a brand name for contour thread lift. This is a minimally invasive facelift. Permanent barbed sutures elevate the skin. Early results are achieved but do not last.