FEATHER LIFT- APTOS LIFT

Face lifting is one of the most important rejuvenation operations, often a synonym for the aesthetic face surgery itself. During the process of getting older and gravity force, sagging condition of the face and neck skin happen, as well as of the excess and atrophy of the subcutaneous fat and connective tissue. This process evidently begins somewhere with the age of 35 and slowly advances, while is more significant about the age of 50. In order to keep the continuity of beauty and freshness of this facial region, during the last 15 years American surgeons have been carrying out face-lift operations with patients of the age of 30 and older, while in Europe this age-limit has been pushed to the age of 40. Along with the skin excess reduction using the classical technique of lifting and stretching of SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System), and in view of the subcutis atrophy in the last period of time, this technique has been interchangeable with lipofilling (transplantation of the fat tissue into the region of the cheek). In any case, for the preservation of facial fresh look, this operation should be repeated for about 5 – 7 years. Regarding the complexity of the operation and a relatively long period of recuperation, patients incline to some more simple methods, with shorter recuperation period and lower risk of potential complications etc.

Until there is no significant excess of the skin, but the sagging condition of the skin is marked along with the already reduced subcutaneous tissue, that is dependent on the case from the age of 35 – 55, the ideal is the FEATHER LIFT surgical operation, in other words APTOS LIFT (aptos = anti-ptosis – against sagging). The operation includes injection of polypropylene threads into the subcutaneous area of the face through special needles. After removing the needle, the thread spreads into the neighbouring tissue as a feather. Then follows the procedure of stretching and recovery of the region that has been treated to the state as it were before the sagging. Classical areas are the following – outer side of the forehead or in other words brow-lift, chin-lift, lower jaw area and the neck area below and close to the lower jaw. Threads are made of polypropylene, non-resorbing material which is used in manufacturing of catgut. After about a month since the operation took place, a connective tissue rich with collagen begins to form around the thread. The growth of cells caused by the foreign body, made of polypropylene that amalgamate and in a certain manner structurally reinforces the tissue, gives elasticity to the skin, firmness, healthy colour, corrects wrinkles, and in this way the skin is being rejuvenated. In this matter there is no quick change of the outer look, as is after the classical operation, but there begins a physiological rejuvenation at the level of cells. This method has been put into practice at almost all renowned clinical hospitals that deal with aesthetic operations, and has been protected by the patent in Russia a few years ago. The treatment is performed as an operation on an outpatient basis in sterile environment under local anaesthesia. During the post-operative treatment, mimic gestures should be restricted, and the patient should sleep on the back (if the face has been operated on) for about a week. Treated parts must not be massaged for 2 months after the operation. The effect of the procedure of rejuvenation becomes visible for about a couple of weeks after the operation, although the perceptibility of pexia (lifting) is significant right after the treatment itself. Recuperation after the operation takes about 2 – 3 days. During this time adhesive plaster strips are placed at the spots of needle stings. The effect of the operation is prolonged up to 5 years after the treatment, and as necessary in the meantime some more APTOS threads can be additionally or later implanted. The method has been protected by the patent a few years ago by the Georgian surgeon M. D. Marlen A. Sulamanidze, and after a couple of years it has been overflowed all over the world, especially in the American region, and has become a real success. Nowadays, APTOS threads are manufactured in USA, Brazil, Italy and Russia.
This is reliably the best method of giving a fresh look to a sagging face with the indication between the age of 35 to 55 – while there is still no significant quantity of excess skin. In view of the outpatient treatment under the local anaesthesia, a quick recuperation without significant complications that accompany major operations, this method is a great contribution to the field of aesthetic surgery of rejuvenation. An additional advantage is also the cost, which for such a treatment of rejuvenation is significantly lower than for a classical operation.
Polyclinic Doctor Maletić is the first that introduced this method in its programme of work in our region, and M. Sc. Duško Maletić, doctor, himself has gone through a complete education with the author of the method, M. D. Sulamanidze, as his mentor.