Aptos Thread Featherlifting

Orlando, Florida

The Aptos Threads Facial Rejuvenation and Lift Technique

n addition to being a National Training Center for BOTOX®, the Bougainvillea Clinique is now a teaching center for the Bazan Aptos Thread Featherlifting technique, utilizing Aptos Threads.

Recently Dr. Hartog hosted a workshop dubbed ‘Threads in Orlando’ with Dr. Carl Bazan, one of the pioneers and most experienced practitioners worldwide of the Aptos thread technique of facial lifting and rejuvenation.

In addition to all the other facial rejuventation techniques Dr. Hartog provides, such as facelifts, laser and chemical peels, fat injection, chin and cheek implants, the Aptos Thread Lift procedure is a new addition to our available procedures. As Board Certified Plastic Surgeon(MD) as well as a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (DMD), Dr. Hartog is uniquely trained to both diagnose and treat facial aging concerns. See Dr. Hartog’s training and background.

What is the Aptos Threads Lift Technique

Early in 1999, Russian scientist, inventor and plastic surgeon, Dr. Marlen Sulamanidze , obtained world wide patents on his APTOS-Threads. He worked together with his son Dr. Georges Sulamanidze to finally perfect a non-surgical facial rejuvenation method that utilizes polypropylene threads with fine ‘cogs’ or barbs cut into the thread. These threads engage the tissues to lift and support the facial tissues. Polypropylene sutures have been used for over 50 years as a suture material by surgeons, so the material is identical to these sutures, only the surface of the suture has been modified with these fine cogs or barbs. The threads are introduced in a specific pattern or meshwork, through a standard needle to engage the tissues to provide the lift. No incisions are required. The procedure is performed either with local anesthetic alone, or with local anesthetic and light sedation if desired.

The threads anchor the facial tissues in the new position, these threads remain anchored, providing long term support. Further ‘touch-ups’ can be performed in the future as well as other more extensive traditional procedures such as facelifts if needed in the future. The term Featherlift® has been registered as a trademark by the KMI company that is one of the manufactures of the Aptos threads to describe the Aptos Thread Lift Technique.

Actual Aptos Thread magnified to show small barbs

Dr. Carl Bazan has been authorized by Dr. Georges Sulamanidze as the International Instructor for this technique, and he has personally trained many U.S., Canadian, European and Mexican surgeons. Furthermore Dr. Bazan has made modifications to the method of mapping and placement of the threads as well as the vectors (direction) of pull of the threads to further improve and refine the results that can be achieved. Dr. Bazan has trained Dr. Hartog in the Aptos Threads Featherlifting technique, and together they have conducted a workshop in this technique for other surgeons and plan to continue this in the future as this technique expands.

Who is a good candidate for Aptos Threads?

The best candidate for the Aptos Threads Lift Technique is an individual, that demonstrates early facial aging, with mild to moderate loosening or sagging of the facial skin. Four facial areas can be addressed, individually or together – the brow, the cheeks, nasolabial folds and melolabial folds adjacent to the nose and mouth, the jowls, and the neck. Individuals with more severe aging changes and sagging are also candidates as long as their expectations are realistic. Traditional facelifting techniques may still be appropriate to achieve the best result, and it will be up to the individual and the surgeon to discuss and decide on the best approach, taking into account the result that can be achieved, the expense, time off available, procedure risks etc.

For many people a traditional facelift may not be an option or their preferred choice, and the Aptos Thread Lift procedures, particularly when one considers that there is far less downtime than with traditional facelift techniques, there are no incisions , and the procedure is quick (less than an hour), requiring local anesthetic only. Of course the Aptos Threads can be combined with other surgical or non-surgical techniques, including facial and neck liposuction, eyelid surgery, chemical peels or laser procedures and the Delta lift. The Delta lift is another innovative simple and quick (10 minutes) browlift technique described by Dr. Bazan and performed now by Dr. Hartog.

Dr. Bazan believes that there is also a significant preventative component to the technique, so that placement of these threads may actually help prevent aging changes by providing additional support to the facial structures. The technique can also be used to improve facial features like the cheek bones in a three dimensional fashion, the arch of the eyebrow, or the jaw line.

An Aptos thread after insertion, in the neck area, being trimmed

Immediate improvement in the cheek nasolabial fold appearance after placement of 6 Aptos threads

How the procedure is performed

Prior to the procedure, a thread-vectoring plan (map) is drawn on the face that is individualized to address the concerns and situation of the individual. After cleaning the face and preparing the area in standard sterile fashion, local anaesthesia (with sedation if desired) is provided. The threads are then inserted and secured in a very specific fashion to achieve ideal tissue support according to the map. Adjustments may be made as needed, by adding more threads in different area to achieve the desired result and symmetry. Surgical tapes are then applied over the areas treated, to protect the lift for 3-4 days while the tissues form collagen around the threads to further anchor them in place.

Other procedures commonly performed at the same time include chemical peels such as the Obagi Blue Peel and BOTOX®. BOTOX® is sometimes recommended prior to the procedure, particularly for the brow, to help decrease the muscle pull prior to the procedure, for enhanced lift and stability.

You may actually be asked to help assess the changes and recommend minor adjustments, when we provide a hand-held mirror before the end of the procedure. Other structural techniques such as fat grafting may be recommended.

We recommend mild pain medications such as Tylenol if needed, gentle icing, and the use of facial cleanser towellettes (such as Ponds cleansers) for 5 days, with no rubbing or scrubbing, as this can dislodge the threads in the first 5-7 days. Men should not shave for at least 5 days for the same reason.

Minor regular activities and non-physically demanding work can be resumed in 30 minutes. Regular activities can be resumed in 24 hours. Normal physical or gym activities can be resumed in 5-7 days, though very activities or activities that could forcefully disrupt the threads should be avoided for 3 – 4 weeks.

When will I see results?

Early Results can be seen immediately ( of course with some mild to moderate swelling in just under 24 hours.

In 2-3 weeks one can see more definitive results, though there is evidence that continued improvement may be seen for up to 6-8 months, as collagen formation is stimulated around the threads.

Risks and potential complications

Some swelling and bruising is to be expected, and is usually quite mild. Other potential problems such as more pronounced swelling and bruising, and infection are of course possible but extremely rare.

It is possible for the tip of a thread to be visible at the skin surface. This can be easily clipped without further problems. Occasionally a thread may be visible under the skin and may require removal.

All Aptos threads can be easily removed in minutes, with no discomfort under local anesthetic and no sequelae. Threads can be adjusted, added, removed or corrected to improve a lift. Even years after the procedure, more threads may be added to improve or adjust the lift. Though the Aptos Thread Technique is relatively simple, careful planning and diagnosis of the problems by a surgeon experienced in facial aesthetics as well as precise technique inserting and handling of the threads is essential.

When properly done, the APTOS threads featherlifting technique provides VERY pleasing and long lasting results.

The Cost

Aptos Thread facial rejuvenation procedures are extremely cost effective when compared to traditional techniques. Cost varies depending on the number of areas treated and the number of threads required. Fees range from $1000 to $4500, depending on the number of areas and threads. In general there are four areas that may be treated; the brow the cheek / nasolabial fold area, the jowl, and the neck. Anywhere from 2 to 12 threads threads may be required per side of the face and neck. Very rarely one may require up to 16 threads.