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Written By: Jeffrey Atlas, PA-C, Health Content Writer
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Gopal Grandhige, MD, FACS, Board-Certified Surgeon
Last Reviewed: November 11, 2026
PDO thread lift results are not permanent, and the threads themselves aren’t either. Polydioxanone (PDO) is a dissolvable suture material, so your body breaks the threads down within months. The visible lift usually holds for about a year, sometimes longer, then fades as your face keeps aging.
Most people who type this question are really asking two things. Will the result last, and will anything stay in my face for good? The answer to both is no. For plenty of patients, that second no is a relief.
A PDO thread lift is an in-office procedure that places thin, dissolvable polydioxanone sutures under the skin of the face or neck. Barbed threads grip soft tissue and lift it right away. Over the next few months, the body builds new collagen around each thread, and that collagen keeps some firmness after the threads dissolve.
We’ve explained what PDO threads do in a separate post. This one is about time. It covers how long each part of the result holds and why none of it is permanent. It also sticks to PDO. Threads made from other dissolvable materials, like poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) or polycaprolactone (PCL), break down on their own schedules, so their timelines don’t carry over here.
Most people keep a visible result for about a year, and some keep it longer. The threads are gone well before that, usually within about six months.
Published figures land in the same range, but read them with care. In a 2018 patient article for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), one member surgeon writes that a widely used PDO thread stays in place for about four to six months before it dissolves. He adds that patients often keep seeing results for a year or more. Treat that as one surgeon’s experience, not a study. ASPS notes that its blog reflects the author’s own views.
You’ll see bigger numbers online. Two or three years, sometimes just “years.” Some of those claims lump every thread material together, and others quote the best case instead of the typical one.
Most of the confusion clears up once you separate three things that fade at different speeds.
The thread goes first. PDO breaks down by hydrolysis, which means water in your tissue slowly splits the material apart until your body clears it. The thread loses its holding strength well before it disappears.
The mechanical lift goes with it. Barbs can only hold tissue while the thread is strong, so the lift softens early.
Collagen lasts longest. Your body treats each thread as a tiny injury and lays down new collagen along its path. That new tissue firms the area from underneath, but it ages the same way your original collagen does.
So when a patient most of a year out asks what’s holding the lift, the honest answer is their own tissue. The thread let go months earlier.
Barbed threads create the lift you can see, while smooth threads mostly improve skin quality. That difference decides which part of your result fades first.
Smooth PDO threads are plain strands laid under the skin in a crosshatch pattern. They don’t pull anything upward. Their job is to prompt collagen, so their effect shows up as firmer texture over several weeks rather than a lift on day one.
Screw threads are twisted around themselves, which gives them a little more body in one spot. They’re sometimes used to support a small hollow or fold.
Barbed threads, also called cog threads, have tiny hooks along their length. The hooks catch tissue so it can be moved upward and held there. When most people say “thread lift,” this is the thread they mean. Because the barbs do the visible lifting, the lift depends on the thread staying strong. A barbed result often looks sharpest in the first days, partly from swelling, then settles into its real shape over a few weeks.
Most faces get a mix of thread types, planned around how the tissue moves.
People with early to moderate sagging and skin that still springs back get the longest results. The same ASPS article says thread lifts generally raise the face only a few millimeters. That’s enough for a softening jawline. It won’t hold up heavy skin.
The rules are the same for men and women, though the goals differ. Some patients want a sharper jaw angle. Others want their cheeks back where they sat a few years ago. Formation sees a lot of men, and a male face needs the lift placed so the jaw stays angular instead of rounded.
At the exam, Dr. Grandhige looks for the traits that tend to predict a longer result.
Saying no is part of the job at Formation. If your skin hangs in a fold while you’re sitting upright, threads won’t hold it. Barbs can only grip what’s there, and loose skin keeps pulling down once the thread weakens. You’d get a few good months and a fast fade.
For that face, a surgical facelift is the honest recommendation. When a facelift is the right call, Formation refers you out. The practice stays in contact with surgeons who do that work well and points each patient to the right one.
Timing matters too. If a wedding or a big trip is coming up soon, we’d rather schedule you after it. Early swelling or a small pucker doesn’t belong in those photos.
New collagen is what stays. It keeps some firmness in place after the thread is gone, and because it’s living tissue, it ages with the rest of your skin.
Marketing tends to skip the next part. The collagen explanation is sound biology, and patients do see firmer skin. But long-term human data is thin. A 2025 systematic review in Dermatologic Surgery pooled 12 studies of absorbable facial thread lifts with 818 patients in total. Every study showed improvement right after treatment. The longest follow-up was two years, and the authors note that earlier research had failed to show long-term results.
The review has its own limits. It covered only about four years of papers, and it grouped PDO with other dissolvable threads. Even so, it’s the clearest look we have, and it can’t support a three-year promise. Nobody can honestly call the result permanent either, because no published study has followed patients long enough to test that.
What you can influence is how much collagen your body builds. At Formation, health and diet are assessed before treatment. Nutrition, supplements and peptides are then adjusted in the window right before and after placement, so your body has the raw material it needs when the threads ask it to build. We won’t promise that adds months. A body short on protein and sleep tends to heal with less, though, and that part is in your control.
The thread is the same at every practice that buys it. The thinking around it isn’t.
Yes. A facelift lasts much longer because it removes loose skin and repositions the deeper support tissue with surgery. A thread lift borrows time. Neither one stops aging, and the ASPS author says plainly that no lifting technique produces permanent results.
He puts facelift results at up to a decade, compared with one to three years for thread lifts in general. That wider range pools every thread type together. The two compare this way on the points patients ask about most.
If you’ve heard about a permanent thread, that’s a different device for a different problem. In the neck, the problem is sometimes platysmal bands, the vertical cords formed by the thin neck muscle called the platysma. For those bands, MyEllevate, a permanent suspension suture, can be placed along with a platysmaplasty that tightens the muscle. The suture doesn’t dissolve, and it can be removed if needed. It’s a neck procedure and doesn’t replace PDO in the cheeks. Even a suture that stays put can’t stop the tissue around it from aging.
If you want more staying power without surgery, we’ve ranked the longest-lasting non-surgical options in a separate post.
Adding threads doesn’t stretch a result, and it raises the odds of problems. That’s Dr. Grandhige’s position, and a large recent data set on PDO threads points the same way.
A 2026 multicenter study in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reviewed 2,000 PDO thread lift cases from 105 clinics. The overall complication rate was 12.4%. Skin retraction, a small dimple or pulled-in spot, was the most common problem. Each added thread raised the odds of a complication by 12%, and older patients carried more risk. The study was retrospective, meaning researchers looked back at existing records. It shows a link between thread count and complications, but it can’t prove the extra threads caused them.
Restraint is how Dr. Grandhige works across every procedure. He plans the least that gets the result, because a face that looks treated has missed the point, even when it’s tight.
The best thread lift is one nobody can identify.
Most early issues are temporary. Puckering and small dimples usually settle as swelling goes down. If a thread works its way close to the surface, threads can be reversed with a small in-office procedure, though waiting is usually the better call.
Every part of a PDO thread lift is built to leave. The thread dissolves, the barbs let go, and the collagen your body made stays longest before it ages like the rest of you. A more useful question is how long your skin can hold a lift, and if you’re comfortable repeating treatment when it fades.
Dr. Grandhige, a board-certified general surgeon with more than 15 years of operating experience, personally evaluates every patient before anything is placed. The in-office consultation with him carries a fee and is a full surgical assessment. That fee can be applied toward any procedure or product at Formation. If you’d like a first read before coming in, Formation offers a complimentary virtual evaluation with patient coordinator Hanna, who reviews your goals and outlines a plan.
Our page on Tampa PDO thread lifts covers the procedure itself. Since PDO thread lift results aren’t permanent, either conversation is where you find out how long they’d last on your face.
No. Repeat treatments can keep a result going, but every round of threads still dissolves and every round of new collagen still ages. Regular sessions maintain a look rather than lock it in.
Yes. PDO breaks down by hydrolysis and your body absorbs it. One ASPS member surgeon puts that timeline at about four to six months for a widely used PDO thread, and nothing from the thread stays in your face long term.
They can, because the collagen your body builds often holds a visible benefit after the threads are gone. A 2025 systematic review found the longest published follow-up on absorbable thread lifts was two years, so claims beyond that go past the evidence.
Not for the face in the usual sense. MyEllevate, a permanent suspension suture, doesn't dissolve, but it's used in the neck with a platysmaplasty when platysmal bands are present. Even a suture that stays in place can't stop the tissue around it from aging.
People with early to moderate sagging whose skin still springs back tend to do best. Threads move tissue only a few millimeters, so skin that hangs in a fold usually needs a surgical option instead. Dr. Grandhige makes that call at an in-person exam.
No. A 2026 multicenter study of 2,000 PDO thread lift cases found that each added thread raised the odds of a complication by 12%. The study reviewed past records, so it shows a link rather than proof, and Formation plans the fewest threads that get the result.
Good candidacy matters most, followed by how well your body builds collagen. Daily sunscreen, not smoking and enough protein during healing all protect that new tissue. At Formation, nutrition and supplements are adjusted around treatment for that reason.
The next step after losing 100 pounds.
After significant weight loss, the skin doesn’t always shrink back to match the body’s new shape. And no amount of exercise can remove that excess skin.
In this surgery, Dr. Gopal performs a 360° circumferential body lift to remove excess skin and reshape the patient’s waistline, abdomen, and lower back.
The approach involves lifting the skin on the back and pulling it downward on the front to create a smoother, flatter contour while positioning the incision low enough to be concealed by underwear.
This patient lost over 100 pounds. During surgery, Dr. Gopal explains how approximately 3 pounds of skin were removed from the back, with another 5 pounds planned for removal from the front.
It’s not just about removing skin. It’s about reshaping the body after a significant weight-loss journey.
📍 Dr. Gopal Grandhige | Formation, South Tampa
Interested in body contouring after major weight loss? Schedule a consultation to explore your options.
#BodyLift #CircumferentialBodyLift #ExcessSkinRemoval #WeightLoss #BodyContouring
There’s lean. Then there’s sculpted.
High-definition liposuction goes beyond traditional fat removal. It’s about strategically sculpting around the underlying muscles to create more visible definition in the chest, abdomen, and waist.
For this patient, the goal was a leaner, more defined, athletic appearance without an exaggerated look.
Dr. Gopal Grandhige specializes in male HD liposuction, customizing each procedure to the patient’s anatomy, muscle structure, and desired level of definition.
The result? A more sculpted physique that complements his natural build.
Interested in HD liposuction? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Gopal at Formation Tampa. Link in bio.
Actual patient photos. Individual results vary.
#HDLiposuction #MaleLiposuction #HighDefinitionLiposuction #BodySculpting #Tampa
“That responsibility means everything to me.”
When a patient chooses a plastic surgeon, they’re placing an extraordinary amount of trust in someone else’s hands.
And that responsibility goes far beyond what happens in the operating room.
For Dr. Gopal, it means taking the time to understand each patient’s goals, carefully planning their procedure, making thoughtful decisions throughout surgery, and being there for them during recovery.
Every detail matters because there’s a real person behind every procedure, with hopes, concerns, and expectations.
And that person deserves to feel cared for every step of the way.
#Tampa #CosmeticSurgery #PatientCare #bodycountouring #hdliposuction
Every body needs a different plan.
An HD liposuction consultation with Dr. Gopal is much more than discussing which areas to treat.
He takes the time to evaluate each patient’s anatomy, explain what he’s seeing, and walk through exactly how he would approach the procedure.
Where should fat be removed? Where should it be preserved? How can the waist be sculpted while maintaining natural curves? And when might additional skin tightening be needed?
These are just some of the decisions Dr. Gopal walks patients through, explaining not only what he recommends, but why.
This Reel is a small glimpse into a consultation that typically involves a much more detailed conversation, with time for patients to ask questions and understand their options.
📍 Formation | South Tampa
Considering high-definition liposuction? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Gopal to discuss your goals and explore what’s possible.
#HDLipo #HighDefinitionLiposuction #BodyContouring #Tampa
There’s lean. Then there’s sculpted.
For some men, even years of consistent training and cutting cycles don’t produce the abdominal definition they’re working toward.
Here’s what one patient shared in his Google review of Formation:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Waited a few months to write this because I wanted to make sure the results held up.
The HD technique did what years of cutting cycles couldn’t. Abs actually show now, even relaxed, even in bad lighting. If you’ve chased a six pack for years you know what that means. Recovery was more involved than I expected and the bruising was wild for a bit. But the result looks like me, just leaner and more defined. Doesn’t look surgical, which was my biggest fear going in. Would recommend, but only if you’re already putting in the work.”
Dr. Gopal Grandhige specializes in male high-definition liposuction, an advanced body-contouring technique that goes beyond traditional fat removal.
By strategically removing fat around the underlying muscles, HD liposuction can enhance natural muscle definition and create a leaner, more sculpted, athletic appearance.
The goal isn’t to create artificial abs. It’s to reveal and enhance the muscle contours already there, with the level of definition customized to each patient’s anatomy and goals.
📍 Formation, South Tampa
Interested in male HD liposuction? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Gopal to explore your options.
Google patient review.
#HDLiposuction #MaleLiposuction #BodyContouring #Tampa
Crunches can only do so much.
You can spend hours strengthening your abdominal muscles, but that doesn’t guarantee visible definition.
A layer of fat sits between the muscles and the skin, and crunches can’t specifically target that fat.
For many people, exercise and reducing overall body fat can help reveal their abs. But even people who are already lean and fit can have stubborn fat that hides their natural muscle definition.
That’s where high-definition liposuction may help.
Dr. Gopal uses HD lipo to selectively remove fat around the natural contours of the abdominal muscles, helping reveal the definition that’s already there.
📍 Formation | South Tampa
Interested in HD lipo? Schedule a consultation to learn more.
#HDLipo #HighDefinitionLiposuction #AbdominalSculpting #BodyContouring
Which one had surgery 1 or 2? 👀
High-definition liposuction goes beyond traditional fat removal. Instead of simply reducing fat evenly, the surgeon strategically removes fat around the underlying muscles to make their natural contours more visible.
But here’s what makes it interesting: HD lipo doesn’t create the same six-pack on everyone. Each person’s anatomy, muscle development, and desired level of definition influence the final result.
Now take another look at these two patients.
Which one do you think had HD liposuction, 1 or 2?
Drop your guess below, then check the pinned comment for the answer!
#HDLiposuction #MaleLiposuction #BodyContouring #Tampa
There’s a story behind every decision.
Cosmetic surgery is a personal decision. Yet people who choose it often find themselves having to explain or defend that choice to others.
Some want to restore changes after pregnancy or weight loss. Others have worked hard to get in shape but still have areas they’d like to improve. And some simply want to feel more comfortable with their appearance.
The reasons are different for everyone. And they don’t have to make sense to anyone else.
At Formation, Dr. Gopal believes the decision to pursue cosmetic surgery should be guided by a patient’s personal goals, realistic expectations, and what’s medically appropriate for them.
Because ultimately, the person making that decision is the one who will live with it.
#Tampa #CosmeticSurgery #BodyContouring #Liposuction
Our first four-legged patient. 🐾
Dr. Gopal takes his liposuction and body contouring very seriously.
Even when his patients have four legs.
From loose skin and neck liposuction to a jawline that deserves its own before-and-after reveal, this might be his most dramatic transformation yet.
And yes, he even got the patient’s permission to share the results. 😂
A little Halloween fun from Dr. Gopal and his two very patient pups! 🎃🐶
No dogs underwent surgery. Just two willing participants and one very committed surgeon.
#SurgeonLife #tampa #necklipo
What weight loss can’t fix.
After losing over 100 pounds, this patient had achieved significant weight loss, but was left with excess skin around his abdomen and back that weight loss alone couldn’t address.
During an 8-hour surgery, Dr. Gopal performed a circumferential body lift, a procedure that removes excess skin around the entire midsection to improve body contour.
In this video, Dr. Gopal walks through the procedure, explaining how he removed approximately 3 pounds of skin from the back and estimated another 4–5 pounds would be removed from the abdomen.
He’s also using a small amount of fat collected during the procedure to add volume to the upper chest, improving its contour without performing a separate chest lift.
For patients who have experienced major weight loss, body contouring can help address the excess skin that remains after the weight is gone.
Considering surgery after weight loss? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Gopal at Formation in Tampa to explore your options.
Actual patient footage. Individual results vary.
#BodyContouring #BodyLift #ExcessSkinRemoval
