What happens at each stage of a thread-lift visit at Edition, from diagnosing why the face is sagging to design, anaesthesia, the procedure and the care points explained before you go home.
A thread-lift visit at Edition Plastic Surgery follows seven steps in a fixed order: consultation, facial analysis and design, photographs, anaesthesia, the procedure, recovery and a check in the clinic, and aftercare instructions before going home. The consultation usually takes around twenty to thirty minutes and the procedure itself around fifteen to twenty, both varying with the patient’s condition and the extent of treatment.
Knowing the sequence in advance changes how the day feels. Most of the anxiety patients describe comes from not knowing what happens next, and most of the questions they ask afterwards were answerable before they arrived.
Each step below has a purpose that shapes the next one. The order is deliberate: nothing about threads is decided until the cause of the sagging has been established, and nothing is added in the procedure room that was not agreed at the design stage.
The visit moves from diagnosis to design to execution. First the surgeon establishes why the face is sagging and whether threads are appropriate at all; then the thread type, placement and direction are planned; then that plan is carried out under local anaesthesia, with light sedation if agreed. You rest briefly, are checked, receive written care points and leave the same day.
Step 1: What happens at the consultation?
The consultation is where Edition decides whether a thread lift is appropriate before discussing how it would be done. Three things are checked. The first is the cause of the sagging, divided into loss of skin elasticity, a change in fat position, and loosening of the retaining ligaments. The second is your treatment history, including filler, fat grafting, earlier threads and recent laser or radiofrequency work. The third is whether your face is in a state that threads can address.
That third question can have the answer no. If the examination points to a different approach, the consultation ends with that recommendation and the reasoning behind it.
Step 2: How is the lift designed for my face?
Once threads are judged suitable, Edition designs the lift around your particular face. The thread type, the insertion points, the number of threads and the direction of pull are chosen together. The face is assessed from the front, at forty-five degrees and in profile, because a vector that looks right from one angle can look wrong from another.
Direction receives particular attention. Descended tissue is moved outwards, towards the area behind the hairline, rather than straight up, so that the mid-face is not pushed into prominence.
The number of threads follows from this design rather than leading it. What Edition weighs is the shape of the face, the direction in which it has descended and the condition of the tissue; the count is whatever those require.
Step 3: Why are photographs taken before the procedure?
Photographs are taken before the procedure to fix a reference point. Change after a thread lift is gradual, and memory of how a face looked a month earlier is unreliable. A record made under consistent conditions allows the result to be assessed at follow-up against something objective rather than an impression.
Step 4: Which anaesthesia is used?
A thread lift at Edition is performed under local anaesthesia as standard. For patients who want to reduce discomfort, a short period of sedation can be added; whether it is used depends on the individual and is agreed at consultation. Under local anaesthesia, most patients describe the sensation as pulling or pressure rather than pain, although sensitivity varies. With sedation, many people do not remember the procedure itself.
Step 5: How long does the procedure take, and can the plan change?
The procedure takes around fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on the patient’s condition and the area treated. The surgeon carries out the plan made at the design stage and does not expand or alter it on the day. If something suggests a change is needed, that becomes a new conversation rather than an improvisation with you on the table.
| Step | What it is for | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Consultation | Establish the cause of sagging, review history, decide suitability | About 20–30 minutes |
| 2. Facial analysis and design | Choose thread type, placement, number and direction | Varies with the face |
| 3. Photographs | Create a reference for later comparison | Brief |
| 4. Anaesthesia | Local anaesthesia, with sedation if agreed | Varies with the method |
| 5. Procedure | Carry out the agreed plan | About 15–20 minutes |
| 6. Recovery and check | Rest and review in the clinic | Varies with the individual |
| 7. Aftercare and going home | Explain what to avoid and when to get in touch | Before leaving |
Step 6: What happens straight after the procedure?
After the procedure you rest in the clinic while your condition is checked. Aftercare at Edition includes a swelling injection (Multi Blue) where appropriate. Tightness and a dull ache can be felt for two to three days, and pain relief can be prescribed if needed.
Step 7: What should I know before I leave?
Before you leave, the aftercare points are explained so that the first days are predictable. From the next day, going to work, washing your face and wearing light make-up are generally possible, as long as you avoid rubbing the face or massaging it. Swelling and tightness usually settle over three to seven days. For around two weeks, avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol and saunas, as well as sleeping face down and strong pressure; deep-pressure facial massage is postponed for at least three months.
A follow-up visit around one month later checks how the tissue has settled. Its purpose is to look at your condition, not to fulfil a set schedule. If you have questions during recovery, the clinic’s KakaoTalk channel can be used for progress queries.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the whole visit?
The consultation is about twenty to thirty minutes and the procedure about fifteen to twenty. Design, anaesthesia and recovery time vary between patients, so the total differs from person to person.
Does previous filler or fat grafting change the visit?
It does not rule out a thread lift. The type, timing and current state of earlier treatments are checked at the consultation, and the design takes them into account.
Why is the number of threads not fixed in advance?
The number follows from the design. Around fourteen across the whole face is a common reference, adjusted to the degree of sagging and the goal, but placement and direction matter more.
Will I be awake during the procedure?
Under local anaesthesia you are awake and usually feel pulling or pressure. If sedation is agreed, many patients do not remember the procedure.
What if the surgeon decides threads are not right for me?
The consultation will explain why and suggest an alternative. No procedure takes place simply because an appointment was booked.
When is my next appointment?
A check is usually arranged around one month later. Any further treatment is decided from what that examination finds, not from a fixed interval.
About the medical reviewer
Dae-hee Han, MD — Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon (specialist certificate No. 2045, issued 3 March 2014; medical licence 00394, issued 26 February 2009). Master’s degree, Ajou University School of Medicine. Training at the Craniofacial Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan (2013), and the IFAAS Mini Fellowship, University of Florida, USA (2016). He carries out consultation, the procedure and follow-up personally; fee guidance is given by the clinic’s consultation manager.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-28
Clinic information
Edition Plastic Surgery Clinic & Dermatology
6F, OPUS 407, 407 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06614, Republic of Korea
One minute on foot from Gangnam Station Exit 10
Tel +82-2-591-0100 · editionprs@gmail.com
Consultation hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–19:00 · Saturday 10:00–17:00 · closed Sundays and public holidays
Disclaimer
Individual results may vary. Bleeding, infection, swelling, asymmetry, and scarring can occur. Please decide after a full consultation with a board-certified specialist.
This page is general medical information. It is not a diagnosis, and it does not promise a particular outcome. Fees are given after an in-person consultation.