Dallas Plastic Surgeon among the First in Dallas to Offer the Only FDA-Approved “Thread Lift,” the New Non-Surgical Face Lift

DALLAS -- Dallas-based Charles A. Wallace, MD, FACS, is one of the few plastic surgeons in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to offer the new revolutionary "Thread Lift" facelift, which uses the FDA-approved Contour Threads. The Thread Lift procedure is a minimally invasive non-surgical alternative to the traditional surgical facelift, using specially designed sutures to gently shift sagging facial tissues in an upward direction without major incisions, general anesthesia, or a long recovery time. Contour Threads were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2005, and Wallace was the first plastic surgeon in Dallas to receive training and conduct the procedure.

"This new procedure works even better than I originally expected. Although it is not a replacement for a full surgical facelift, the results can be fairly dramatic," said Wallace, who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). "It's the perfect alternative for patients who have a fear of surgery or general anesthesia, or do not want to undergo the longer recovery period required of a surgical face lift." The procedure takes a little over an hour, and is done in Wallace's in-office surgery center, which is AAAHC-accredited. No hospital stay is required.

The FDA-approved Contour Thread Lift is currently used by about 300 U.S. surgeons, according to the manufacturer Surgical Specialties Corp. "Since there has been a large amount of hype regarding Thread Lifts, potential patients should take caution to ensure they achieve the safest, optimal results," Wallace said. "First, only Contour Threads has been approved by the FDA for this usage. There are many doctors around the U.S. and in Dallas -- including plastic surgeons --using other types of sutures that have not been approved by the FDA.

"Secondly, many doctors outside the field of plastic surgery are accessing training to do this procedure, such as practitioners in OB/GYN or Oral and maxillofacial surgery. Just as you wouldn't normally go to a neurosurgeon to have knee surgery, one should be cautioned in going to anyone other than a legitimate plastic surgeon to have your facial tissues manipulated for facial rejuvenation. Although it is a relatively simple procedure, under less-experienced care there are always risks that include threads popping out of the skin, infection, and malposition. Therefore, if I were a patient considering the Thread Lift, I would only go to a board-certified plastic surgeon with many years experience working with facial tissues," Wallace added.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported almost 7 million minimally invasive procedures in 2004, a 43 percent rise over 2003. The Contour Thread Lift is the latest development in a long line of implantable, specially designed surgical threads used to lift sagging skin on the face, forehead, brows and neck. Wallace admits the operation is not for everyone nor is it intended to replace full surgical facelifts in which sagging skin, along with some underlying muscle, is trimmed, stretched tighter and stitched back into place. However, the Thread Lift's fast recovery period should bring a wider potential patient base, including more men.

"Recovery is faster with much less swelling and bruising than a surgical facelift because the outer layers of skin are not disconnected," Wallace commented. "This is the perfect procedure for the '40 to 50-something' female or male corporate executive that wants to improve their looks, with minimal to no downtime or any telltale signs of surgery such as swelling, bruising or bandages."

The patented Contour Threads are specially designed sutures that are created from clear polypropylene, a material that has been safely used in the body for many years in other medical products. The Contour Threads have tiny barbs or cogs that when inserted under the skin with a needle, are fixated in an umbrella-like fashion and with slight tension gently lifts tissues of the brow and face. Due to the unique design of the Contour Threads, the surrounding tissues act to hold the threads in place without visible scarring. Once in position, the body generates new collagen bundles that surround each thread to maintain the lifting effect. Typically only one procedure is needed, and the effects can last as long as five years. Cost of the procedure starts at approximately $1,600 and up, depending upon the areas of the face that are treated, and the number of threads applied.

Wallace's private practice offers the full range of plastic and reconstructive surgery, focusing on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and breast, liposuction, and hand surgery. In practice for more than 15 years, Wallace is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, has been elected to fellowship in the American College of Surgeons, and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Source: Charles A. Wallace, MD, FACS