If you’ve tried fillers or are simply looking for a more permanent solution to saggy mid-facial features, a mid-face lift may be the procedure for you!
What is a cheek lift?
Mid-face, also known as cheek lift surgery, is an extremely popular type of facial plastic surgery that aims to address saggy skin and sallow cheeks. As we age, the fat deposits in our cheeks that give us that youthful glow begin to lose volume and sink lower on the face. When this happens, it can leave the face looking gaunt and hollow. This process can affect the eyes, highlight already hollow cheeks, and give an unflattering ‘tired’ look. A cheek lift rejuvenates the face by retuning cheeks to a more youthful position, giving a smoother and more attractive appearance.
Quick facts
Mid-face surgery can be performed stand-alone or at the same time as other procedures, such as lower eyelid blepharoplasty (more information here and here). Mid-face surgery has a relatively quick turnaround time, with most patients feeling confident to step out and take on the world in about 10 days, when majority of bruising and swelling has resolved.
Cheek lift surgical incisions can be camouflaged with make up after two weeks of healing time, leaving little trace of any incision, while letting your refreshed face shine.
Cheek lifts can address both sagging skin and can secondarily help to smooth out smile lines around the mouth. This can also help to fill in the lower eyelid region, reducing the appearance of dark circles.
Who Can Get A mid-face lift?
Midface lifts are a popular procedure for men and women. While technically you can get a mid-face lift at any age, it is most popular with adults who are approaching or who are currently middle aged, when signs of aging become more pronounced. Different medical conditions and lifestyles may increase the onset of wrinkles and sagging.
Before you undergo the procedure, a consultation will be scheduled to go over your medical history to assess eligibility and risk factors.
What to expect
Cheek lifts are performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation.
Majority of healing occurs surgery in the first 1-2 weeks. Incisions take several weeks to mature, however can easily be camouflaged with make up if need be after 2 weeks to avoid infection.
This procedure is performed in our private, fully certified, and accredited outpatient surgery center for your privacy and convenience.
Since you’ll be under IV sedation and local anesthesia, patients are quite comfortable throughout the procedure. After the surgery you can expect mild discomfort in the surgical area, however pain would be abnormal, and you should notify your surgeon as soon as possible.
Following surgery, your face will be swollen & bruised. No bandages are used, and you are able to use your eyes per usual. Bruising can be minimized taking arnica supplements or eating pineapple, mango, or papaya around the time of surgery. This is normal! Residual swelling will go down as healing takes place. The best thing you can do to help the healing process is to keep your head elevated for the first few days following surgery to reduce swelling and to follow all your post operative instructions that have been tailored to your procedure.
Like with most surgeries, you may be asked to temporarily stop any medication or supplements that may increase your risk of bleeding. You will be given instructions as to which medications are to be stopped prior to your surgery. Your surgeon will direct you as to when you can resume these medications. This will keep from complicating your surgery.
If you have questions about cheek lift surgery or any other facial procedures offered at Allure, we welcome you to contact us today with your questions and to schedule a consultation.