Mid Facelift
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Encino, Glendale and Bakersfield
What Is A Mid-Face Lift?
The Mid-face Lift, also known as a Cheek Lift or SOOF Suspension, restores the natural convex shape of the cheeks by raising the cheek upward to restore a more youthful contour that is lost as we age and are subject to gravity. The procedure elevates and tightens the soft tissues of the cheek, with lesser invasiveness than is used with a Full Facelift. It restores a more youthful appearance to the eyelid and cheek area, and softens the nasolabial fold — the tissues between the nostril and the cheek. It also helps to soften the hollowness between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek and elevates the downward slanted corners of the mouth.
Before and After Photos
How Is a Mid-Face Lift Performed?
Your cosmetic surgeon will perform this procedure through a lower eyelid incision approach or via an intra-oral and temporal approach with an aid of an endoscope. The incision will extend along the full length of the eyelid margin into the corner – i.e. the “lateral cantus.” An incision will also be made along the length of the exposed eye muscle.
Your cosmetic surgeon will then lift a skin and muscle flap downward from the entire lower eyelid, to reach the bony rim of your cheekbone. At that time, excess fat is removed or repositioned. Grasping tissue in the area of your temporal cheek fat with forceps, your surgeon is then able to lift it upward toward the edge of your eyes and temples. There, it will be firmly sutured. After trimming excess eyelid skin, the surgeon closes the skin incisions.
The endoscope approach via a temporal and intra-oral incision accomplishes the same thing with the aid of an endoscope.
What is the Effect of the Mid-Face Lift?
The procedure has the effect of lifting your entire cheek towards the temple. Its goal is to reposition the sagging fat of the cheek over the cheekbone to restore the youthful fullness of the cheeks. Its advantage is that it often produces a more natural appearance than does a Full Face Lift, where the tissue is pulled more tightly outwards rather than upwards. This is the most accurate way to correct the downward pull of gravity.
What are the Disadvantages of a Mid-Face Lift?
Unlike a Full Face Lift, the Mid-face Lift won’t improve the sagging tissues of the chin and neck.
What is the Recovery for a Mid-Face Lift Like?
There may be pronounced swelling and bruising of the cheek and eyelid, which may last for three or more months. In addition to a potentially lengthy recovery, there is a risk of swelling, distortion or puckering in the region just beyond the lateral corner of the eye. On the other hand, some studies show that the Mid-Face Lift has results as long lasting as that of a Full Face Lift.
What Kind of Anesthesia is Used for a Mid-Face Lift?
As a rule, the Mid-Face Lift is performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, deep intravenous local sedation may be used.
During your consultation Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for Facial Aging, including pros and cons of each Facial Lifting procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of Facial Plastic Surgery and Mid-face Lift available in our photo gallery.