Ask Dr. Man- Suspension Sutures

Dear Dr. Man, My friend got her face done and mentioned that her plastic surgeon used suspension sutures as a part of her surgery. Can you please tell me more about these sutures? How do they work? I’m thinking about getting work done on my face (sagging)- how do I know if my doctor can use these sutures?

Suture suspension is a minimally invasive method where the soft tissue of your face is tightened and elevated using the properties of the suture to enhance and connect the skin. These suture threads are placed underneath the skin in various parts of the face such as the mid face, lower face, neck and sometimes forehead, depending on the work that needs to be done. Suspension sutures are used for repositioning sagging cheeks, lifting sagging eyebrows and adjusting asymmetric brows and face.

Suspension sutures are made from polypropylene threads, a material that has been used inside the human body as a suture material for decades, and are designed with tiny barbs that attach to the subdermal tissue, lifting, suspending and fixating.
Unlike conventional sutures, which are smooth, suspension sutures have tiny barbs or cogs that are spaced evenly apart. Once inserted under the skin, they are fixated in an umbrella-like fashion and with tension, which creates suspension that gently lifts sagging tissues of the brow and face.

The surrounding tissues act to hold the threads in place without the need for visible scars. For the mid-face procedure, the surgeon makes a tiny incision close to the ear, and the threads are advanced along the previously marked contours toward the chin and jaw line. This creates a firm hold on the underlying tissues without causing additional trauma. The barbs do the work of holding, by being fixated to tissue as they are softly contoured into place. Once in position, your body generates new collagen bundles that surround each thread to maintain the lifting effect. The exact placement of the threads will vary from patient to patient.

Procedures using suspension sutures are generally quick.. The length of time will depend on the number of threads used. A typical procedure usually takes about 60 minutes to perform. In most cases, there is minimal discomfort, bruising and swelling. Ice compresses are recommended for the first 24-48 hours. Patients can usually return to work or normal activities in a few days to one week. Usually only one procedure is needed to achieve the desired lifting effect.

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Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.