Midface Lift (Cheek Lift) - Frequently Asked Questions

in Indiana

Are All Midface Lifts the Same?

As in all cosmetic procedures, there are different ways to achieve the same end result. The most important variable in a midface lift is how the soft tissues of the cheek will be suspended or held up after they have been lifted.

When the Midface Lift was first performed, the tissues were held up with stitches but in some cases the stitches did not hold and the tissues fell. Now we have at our disposal bioabsorbable devices that are more reliable than stitches.

I personally use a flat, ribbon-like structure made by Coapt Systems® which securely holds the tissues in the desired position for several months. By the time it dissolves like a stitch, the internal scar tissue will hold the lifted cheek in the proper position. Using this technique, I have found the Midface Lift to be a reliable procedure with high patient satisfaction.

What is the difference between a Facelift and a Midface Lift?

They focus on different areas of the face. The purpose of a Midface Lift is to correct the signs of aging found in the central portions of the face. These changes typically consist of a deepening fold between the cheek and upper lip (the naso-labial fold), a hollowing or depression above this fold, and loss of the natural fullness over the cheek bones.

A facelift will give some improvement in appearance of the sagging around the cheek bones, but its main purpose is to correct the sagging soft tissues and loose skin of the lower portion of the face (the jowls) and the neck. Because these procedures have some overlap but a different emphasis, the best result is sometimes obtained when they are performed together.

The best way to find out which procedure will fulfill your needs and goals is to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

What are the risks of a Cheek (Midface) Lift?

Complications of a Midface Lift are very rare but since they do sometimes occur, they must be considered before your surgery. There are two types of risk: (a) general risks that come with all surgeries, and (b) risks specific to a Midface Lift.

General risks: anesthesia reactions, bleeding, infection, and scar formation. The scars for a Midface Lift can usually hidden in the scalp and so are not visible.

Specific risks: numbness of the cheek and upper lip, which is usually temporary, asymmetry, over or under correction, and recurrence of the fold between the cheek and upper lip.

As with all cosmetic surgery, risks can be kept to a minimum by choosing a board certified plastic surgeon.

Who is a candidate?

There are two groups who are candidates for a Midface Lift.

1. People who have early sagging of the soft tissues in the middle portion of the face. This pattern typically presents as a deepening fold between the cheek and upper lip (the naso-labial fold), a hollowing or depression above this fold, and loss of the natural fullness over the cheek bones. In these cases, a Midface Lift, either alone or in conjunction with Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery, can be beneficial.
2. People who have the changes described above along with more advanced changes, such as sagging of the jowls and neck skin. This group will benefit from a Midface Lift combined with a traditional Facelift.

No two facial surgery procedures are ever the same. Your Midface Lift will be one-of-a-kind. Dr. Fata will design it to complement and flatter your entire face, neck, shoulders, and in fact your entire body. To have your questions answered, and to meet Dr. Fata and his staff in our Indianapolis office, please contact us and schedule an initial consultation.

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