Before & After Photos

Introduction

Sydney Cosmetic Surgeon Dr Joseph Georghy believes that the days of surgical face lifting are counted down. Patients prefer minimally invasive procedures and no down time. “Stitch Lift” combined with PhotoLaser Rejuvenation is a significant breakthrough in facial beautification.

As the aging process begins, the soft tissue structures and the skin ages too. As a consequence, the soft tissue is decreasing in volume and the skin moves downwards with gravity creating drooping of the eyebrows, cheeks, jowls, corner of the mouth and neck. To correct this, it is not only necessary to lift the skin upwards and backwards but we have to also increase the volume of the soft tissue facial structures. Stitch Lift (Scarless Facelift or “Le Lifting Invisible”) corrects the saggy skin and PhotoLaser Rejuvenation improves the quality and the quantity of the soft tissue structures.

Facial Suturing (Stich Lift) is a minimally invasive procedure whereby stitches are placed under the skin to reposition droopy or loose areas. No skin is cut away, so there is no real surgery. The stitches are made of biocompatible material, which is left permanently under the skin. After a few weeks, the body develops a tissue reaction around the stitches, which holds the tissue in its new position.

Facial suturing is not like a facelift. It does not involve cutting or removing skin, and is not a substitute for a facelift. It is often useful for patients who have previously had a facelift, but have a few residual loose or droopy areas. It can “tidy up” these areas. It is also useful for younger patients who are not ready for facelift surgery, or those who do not want the risk of visible scars.

The facial suturing procedure is performed under local anaesthesia or light sedation if required. A small puncture is made in the skin either behind the ear or above the hairline until it reaches the area that is droopy. The stitch is fixed in this position, and the needle returned to the original puncture. The stitch is then tied and buried under the skin. Several stitches are used to keep the skin in the correct position. You may look a little swollen after the procedure, especially on the outer cheeks. Bruising may occur in some people. Swelling in most people is mild and usually lasts about 2 to 7 days but sometimes a bit longer (the tissue response differs from person to person). After the procedure there may be some discomfort and simple anti-inflammatory analgesia should be used. This usually settles after 24 hours. Antibiotic cover is recommended. There is usually no scaring, because only small punctures are made in the skin, and no skin is removed. The stitches reposition the skin, so there may be a slight pucker in the front of the ear initially. This usually settles by itself. If it does not settle then collagen induction therapy may be used to tighten the skin. PhotoLaser Rejuvenation Therapy (IPL & Low Level Light Therapy) is the best post surgical management.

• Anyone (male or female) who has some initial facial aging, noted by subtle or evident “loosening” of the tissue as well as changes in their youthful features:
  • Eyebrow ptosis
  • Significant naso-labial sulcus
  • Significant labia -mental sulcus
  • Mild ptosis of the lower face with pseudo jowls
  • Mild skin excess on the upper neck
• Young patients wanting to modify their appearances especially by a brow lifting or a lift of the cheek bone area responsible of a too deep naso-labial sulcus (marionettes).
• People with severe aging (mature patients) can benefit greatly, particularly not ken to have major facelift or radical facial changes.
• When the appearance of “jowls” and deeper marionette lines affect negatively on the facial presentation, it can be improved using this exiting minimally.
• Patients complaining of an insufficient result shortly after a surgical cervicofacial lifting.
• Adjusting facial asymmetric (upper, medium, lower or eyebrow asymmetry) or upper neck. Several areas can be treated at the same time.

Yes, unfortunately NOT everyone will get the maximum cosmetic benefit. However, everybody will get some beautification, particularly if combined with some other cosmetic procedures (fat transfer, dermal fillers and PhotoLaser simulation therapy). Your suitability for the procedure will be assessed during a medical consultation with Dr Joseph Georghy, a Cosmetic Surgeon experienced in this new technology.

Stitch lift is a rediscovered technique that comes back for a new life. Absolutely suitable for mature or older patients who need and request a conventional surgical face lift, a major operation today. Ideal for a large group of young or middle age patients who want to improve their appearance with a minimally invasive procedure, under local anaesthesia, in ambulatory (walk in walk out) settings and little down time.

Today, the civilized society would like to treat the first signs of the aging process, the first ‘weak point’ and not the whole face or neck as older patients. Progress of civilisation in all areas has increased life expectancy: if medicine has given years to life, it is aesthetic surgery and soft tissue beautification that has given life to years.

Stitch lift is particularly suitable procedure for male: They can carry out a facial beautification without extreme change and minimal or no down time. Many of my patients would like to improve what “mother nature” has not given those perfect facial contours (horizontal eyebrow or soft naso-labial sulcus). The needle today is challenging the scalpel offering to such patients – what they desire. Postponing the Scalpel and Youth and Beauty maintenance is the present policy in facial soft tissue beautification. I have no doubts the days of surgical face-lift and major facial surgeries are counted down.