Patent ID: 7871425

Claim:
A method of performing a cosmetic procedure to reposition portions of a breast having a nipple-areola complex (NAC) using a first suture including a plurality of barbs, the barbs on a first portion of the first suture between a first end of the first suture and a first axial location on the first suture for permitting movement of the first suture through tissue in a direction of movement of the first end and preventing movement of the first suture through tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the first end, and the barbs on a second portion of the first suture between a second end of the first suture and a second axial location on the first suture permitting movement of the first suture through tissue in a direction of movement of the second end and preventing movement of the first suture through tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the second end, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting the first end of the first suture through skin of a patient at a first insertion point located in the NAC; (b) deploying the first portion of the first suture through breast tissue along a first deployment path to a first exit point located cranially of the first insertion point; (c) deploying the second portion of the first suture through breast tissue along a second deployment path to a second exit point located cranially of the first insertion point; (d) drawing the first and second portions of the first suture through the first and second exit points to elevate the NAC relative to the breast; (e) causing the first portion of the first suture to engage a stable anatomical feature accessible from the first exit point; and (f) causing the second portion of the first suture to engage a stable anatomical feature accessible from the second exit point.