[shared/head.htm]
[shared/side.htm]
Feather Lift

Tampa Bay Non-Surgical FaceliftThe "featherlift" is an innovative non-surgical technique that gives a lift to the sagging tissues of the face using threads. It has been widely popular in Europe and rapidly gaining attention in the United States. The featherlift procedure offers quick and painless brow, face jowel or neck lifting. The featherlift is also known as the APTOS lift, the APTOS thread lift and suture suspension facelift.

The threads used in this procedure are called APTOS threads. These fine threads have small fingers or "cogs" along the length of the thread, much like bristles on a feather. These cogs provide lift and contour by forming a permanent support structure for the facial tissue. A full face featherlift would require 18 threads, usually 2 for each brow, 3 for each cheek, 2 for each jaw line and 2 for each side of the neck, although not everyone may need a full lifting procedure. The threads are introduced with a fine needle so the puncture sites heal very quickly, usually without any marks.
Tampa Bay Non-Surgical Facelift

Who is a good candidate for Aptos Threads?
The best candidate for the featherlift technique is someone with mild to moderate loosening or sagging of the facial skin. Typically, four facial areas can be addressed, individually or together - the brow, the cheeks, the jowls, and the neck. Individuals with more severe aging changes and sagging could also be candidates as long as their expectations are realistic.  The main advantages of the featherlift are that there is typically less downtime than with traditional facelift techniques, there are no incisions, and the procedure is quick and requires only local anesthesia.

How is the procedure performed?
Featherlift procedures are performed under local anesthesia (numbing of the skin).  A sedative may also be taken if the patient desires.  The APTOS threads are carefully inserted under the skin using an introducer. The placement of the threads depends on the area needing to be lifted. As few as three threads will noticeably lift the cheeks, and two threads will pull back the jowls. The neck and upper brow can also be treated using the featherlift technique. The effect of the treatment will continue to improve over several months as the collagen in the skin collects around the newly placed threads.

The featherlift leaves no scars, takes a minimal amount of time (usually just 30 minutes to an hour), and usually only requires ice following treatment. It is a procedure ideally suited towards younger and middle-aged patients, who are not quite ready for a more aggressive surgical procedure. Results are usually achieved with only one treatment.

What is the recovery like?
After the featherlift the patient may return to work as early as the next day, although there may be minimal swelling and there is always a chance of bruising. It is important to avoid excessive facial movement, rubbing, or massaging of the treated areas for the first 2-3 weeks.

I am interested! What do I do next?
Dr. Swanson is proud to be the first surgeon in the Tampa Bay area offering this minimally invasive procedure using the new FDA approved contour threads. If you are considering this procedure we encourage you to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Swanson in our office. During this visit he will listen to your concerns and discuss your options. He will tell you whether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure.
[shared/foot.htm]