Thread Lift At Lunchtime?

In the eternal quest for cosmetic enhancements that promise speedy recovery and instant results, the thread lift -- also known as the feather lift, lunchtime lift or suspension lift -- has emerged as one of the most requested new fixes. The minimally invasive procedure, which usually takes about an hour and typically costs $3,000 to $4,000, is performed in a doctor's office under local anesthesia. The time and cost of the procedure vary in part according to the number of threads used.

A typical face-lift, by contrast, takes about four hours, is performed under general anesthesia, costs $8,000 to $15,000 and requires weeks of recovery. Unlike a face-lift, a thread lift is reversible.

The apparent ease of a thread lift and its promise to subtly "refresh" a sagging middle-aged face without weeks of downtime, has made it especially popular with baby boomers leery of the pop-eyed, taut-skinned appearance commonly associated with a face-lift, which removes excess skin.

Some plastic surgeons characterize thread lifts as the latest expensive fad. They say the procedure has not been adequately studied and is being performed by too many doctors who lack the necessary skills. Some of these physicians, critics say, operate on patients after taking a one-day course -- sometimes with unfortunate results.

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