One of the earliest signs of aging appear in the mid face. Due to the effects of gravity, the cheeks begin to sag. The skin loses collagen and the midface develops fine lines and wrinkles. A midface lift or cheek lift is a facial plastic surgery that can help elevate the malar fat pad (cheek fat) and give the eyes and cheeks a more refreshed, rejuvenated appearance. What's more, the recovery from this type of face lift is faster than a full face lift surgery and the results are more permanent that those achieved with injectable fillers. Keep reading to learn more about a midface lift and what it can do to reverse the aging process.
What is a midface lift?
Midface lifts are plastic surgery procedures that address the area from the upper mouth to the eyes. A midface lift procedure tightens the skin in this part of the face, elevates the cheek fat, and makes the eyes appear less sunken, thereby restoring a more youthful appearance to the mid face. It is worth noting that this type of face lift procedure does not address signs of aging in the forehead, eyelid, jawline, or neck. If you feel like you need improvement in the appearance of these areas, a full facelift may be more appropriate.
What is an endoscopic midface lift?
An endoscopic midface lift is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to rejuvenate the middle third of the face. It is performed with the help of an endoscope, which is a thin device with a camera attached to it. It allows the surgeon to visualize and dissect the tissues of the mid face through limited incisions. As a result, the recovery period after an endoscopic surgery is shorter and less painful. Endoscopic lift procedures can reduce smile lines and marionette lines in the mid face. They can also restore symmetry and balance to the mid face.
In the hands of experienced surgeons, an endoscopic mid face lift can enhance your natural beauty and help to take the years off. However, an endoscopic facelift technique may not be suitable for everyone. It is usually recommended to a patient with mild to moderate volume loss and sagging in the midface.
Preparing for facial plastic surgery
Your doctor will see you in consultation before the surgery to determine if you are a candidate for a midface lift or an endoscopic midface lift. At this time, they will obtain all your health information to ensure the surgery can be performed safely. Your doctor will also discuss other types of facelifts with you at this time. If the majority of your concerns center around the cheeks, a mid facelift may be recommended to you. They will take photos of your face for comparison purposes before and after surgery. You will also be shown a photo gallery of past patients to give you an idea of what to expect in terms of results from the midface lift.
In preparation for your mid face lift, you will be advised to stop smoking for at least 3-4 weeks before and after the procedure to reduce the risk of complications. You should also avoid drinking alcohol in the days leading up to your surgery. Your doctor will advise you about temporarily stopping the use of certain medications like blood thinners or NSAIDs (ibuprofen) that can increase the risk of bleeding with facial plastic surgery. On the day of your mid facelift, arrive at the hospital or surgical center with a clean, makeup-free face.
How is a midface lift procedure performed?
The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Your doctor will discuss the best option for you during surgical planning.
To perform a midface lift, the plastic surgeon makes two small incisions near the hairline. The muscles and skin of the mid face are then manipulated to tighten the skin and lift up the cheek tissue. They may also reposition the fat to address volume loss under the eyes so that the eyes look less sunken and hollow.
In addition to plumping the areas under the eyes, surgeons also remove excess skin that may be sagging. The midface lift thus helps to smooth out wrinkles and creases near the cheeks and add volume to the middle third of the face.
How long does a midface lift last?
A midface lift is very effective in tightening the skin and adding volume to the tissues around the cheekbones. However, over time, you continue to age. For this reason, the results of this type of facial plastic surgery are long-lasting but not permanent. In most patients, the results of a mid facelift last around 10 years.
Risks and side effects
Like all surgeries, a cheek lift or endoscopic mid face lift carries some risks. The most common side effects after the procedure are bruising, swelling, and mild pain. More serious complications include prolonged swelling, infection, and scarring. You can reduce your risk of complications from a facial plastic surgery by choosing an experienced plastic surgeon.
What does recovery from a mid face lift entail?
Pre-procedure planning
Most patients need to spend the night in hospital, so you should pack an overnight bag to take with you and also arrange for someone to drive you home the next day.
Downtime
Plan to take about 2 weeks off from work to heal from your mid facelift. Avoid any strenuous physical activity for 3-4 weeks after having your cheeks done. You may also be advised to sleep with your head slightly elevated to reduce facial swelling.
Followup
A followup appointment will be scheduled for a week after the procedure to make sure the incisions are healing well and to remove the stitches (unless dissolvable sutures were used).
Recovery period
Recovery from an endoscopic mid face lift is usually faster than a traditional midface lift. On the other hand, recovery from full face lifts may be longer because the surgery is more invasive.
Results
You will see the full effect of the facelift procedure in around 2-3 months, after all the residual swelling has subsided. Full recovery from the surgery can take several months. Once the incision of your midface lift has healed, it will fade over time and should not be noticeable.
What does a midface lift cost?
On average, a midface lift procedure costs anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000. In some regions, the cost can be as high as $15,000. The cost of a cheek lift or endoscopic mid face lift is usually less than a full facelift. The expertise and experience of the plastic surgeon as well as the extent of correction required have an effect of the price. Because it is a cosmetic procedure, a midface / cheek lift is not covered by health insurance.
Choosing the right plastic surgeon for a mid facelift
The MeTime app makes it easy to find experienced cosmetic surgeons in your area. You can click and upload pictures and have suggestions sent directly to you. Interested in setting up a consultation for a midface lift procedure? Try the MeTime app now!
