What is a ribbon lift?

the celebrity blogs are talking about madonna getting a ribbon lift. They say a ribbon lift is “[A tube-like device] is tunnelled under the skin and has lots of tiny hooks that attach to the muscle and tissue,” plastic surgeon Alex Karidis explains. “We then pull it upwards to lift the whole area.”  I also have sagging facial skin and wonder if I should seek this out or are there better methods.

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6 answers to “What is a ribbon lift?”

A: Ribbon and thread lifts

Brent Moelleken, MD

You can see the satisfaction rates from threadlifts on the RealSelf website... only 13% of patients were happy with their decision to have a thread lift.  87% of patients were unhappy. A ribbon lift employs a similar philosophy of no undermining pulling on tissue.  Experienced facelift experts know... more

A: Absorbable neck lift device - not to be confused with thread lifts

D.J. Verret, MD

The 'ribbon lift' is a procedure performed with Coapt Systems 'Endotine Ribbon' device. The key to the procedure is not the device, but the surgeon and procedure that is actually performed. This is not the same device or the same procedure as the older thread lift. The ribbon device is like a collar with... more

A: Ribbon lift

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

The Ribbon lift is based on an implant that looks like a quarter inch "ribbon" of absorbable material with little teeth that grab at one end and. It looks like its made of plastic and similar in appearance to a cable tie. It is typically placed under the skin to snag the deeper tissues. It is then... more

A: Ribbon Lifts might not be for everyone

Charles Perry, MD

The ribbon lift use a multipoint fixation device to elevate and secure the deeper tissues of the face. It workes great in theory, however, the device has remained palpable for some for longer than three months. It seems to work best with a full facelift when it is placed deep to the muscle layer and fat as... more

A: Pass on the "ribbon lift"

Richard P. Rand, MD

It was enticing a few years ago to try to produce some of the effects of a facelift without surgery. Thread lifts and ribbon lifts are all part of this concept. The problem with them is that they really didn't work much at all and even when there was a change it didn't last long. The procedure cost much... more

A: Forget about this. It's a gimmick.

George J. Beraka, MD

Hi! Avoid any procedure with a catchy name or a trade mark. Poorly qualified practitioners try to make you think that they offer easier surgery or no scars or cheaper surgery with great results. It just isn't true. The vast majority of board certified plastic surgeons won't touch this procedure. So you... more

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