Mid Face Lift

In the early days before the mid face lift was introduced, most surgeons performed an extended open subperiosteal facelift where the intermediate temporal fat pad was used to support the mid face. Later on, the suspension point was changed to suborbicularis occuli fat, also known as SOOF, to further lift the cheeks.

This technique, which was usually performed through a full blepharoplasty incision, was eventually found to result in an unacceptable level of eyelid retraction. The need to perform periocular incision has now been eliminted, and the periosteum has been raised over the malar area and two thirds of the zygomatic arch. There have been a suspension of the SOOF inferior malar soft tissues. Since then, several other techniques were used in the hope of developing an effective and risk free way to rejuvenate the mid face area until the mid face lift was introduced.

A mid face lift is a plastic surgery procedure that focuses on improving and restoring a youthful look to the mid face area, particularly the lower eyelids and cheeks. As people grow older, their cheeks and eyelids begin to sag, creating an unpleasant look in the face. A mid face lift might just be the solution to this problem.

The target of this procedure is the skin and the muscle tissue in the cheeks. It helps tighten and smoothen the appearance of the face in the mid face area, from the lower eyelids to the nasolabial folds. The nasolabial folds are the lines seen from the nose to the corner of the mouth. As the nasolabial folds deepen, they are then corrected by the midface lift. The soft tissues of the cheek, including the malar fat pad, are lifted and repositioned up and over the cheekbones. A mid face lift, combined with a buccal fat pad transposition or contouring, will greatly help to further improve the facial structure of a person, creating a more youthful look.

Mid Face Lift Procedure And Techniques

Most surgeons perform the mid face lift using an endoscopic camera and other technological advances to view the procedure internally. This type of surgery is focused on the mid face area, where a temporal incision is made parallel to the nasojugal folds. The plane of dissection made in the muscle tissue of the face is deeper and usually around 1 inch long. This will allow the surgeon to pull up the muscles located around the nose and in the cheeks. When pulled up, the surgeon stitches the tissues into the structure above the ear, below the eye sockets. Less tissue is affected in performing a mid face lift procedure. This process is less invasive than a traditional face lift, and therefore requires a shorter recovery period.

Benefits of A Mid Face Lift Procedure

One of the great benefits on can get from a mid face lift is the restoration of the natural appearance of your cheeks, with less trauma and faster healing time. With a mid face lift procedure, a patient may expect a refreshed and rejuvenated look as the sagging skin in the mid area is treated. The results achieved in this type of procedure are more permanent as compared to injectables. Therefore, there is a big possibility that it may delay the need for a full face lift surgery.

Cost Of Mid Face Lift

The cost of a mid face lift vary depending upon several factors. Some of the factors include the surgeon’s fee, the extent of the procedure, hospital fees, the anesthesiologist fee and the facility fee. These may not be complete yet as there are still other hidden fees involved. It is best to first consult with your surgeon to get an estimate of how the total procedure would cost. Though it varies, a mid face lift procedure can cost between $4,000 to $10,000. The average cost can be about $7,000.

Mid Face Lift Recovery Period

The recovery period of a mid face lift procedure is shorter than that of the traditional face lift. Patients who have just underwent the surgery may need to take some time off from their work for about a week. They may typically experience minimal bruising and some swelling brought by the surgery. Cold compress or ice for the first 1 to 2 days will help control the swelling.

Risks And Complications

There are no major complications involved in a mid face lift. This procedure is typically associated with bruising and swelling. However, these can disappear within the first few days after the surgery. A patient may also experience numbness under the eyes. This is due to the stitches made during the surgery. Proper medications prescribed by the surgeon must be observed to avoid any other complications. Muscle weakness may also be experienced when moving the middle portion of the face. These complications are said to be experienced during the first few days after the operation but will not take long to subside.

Is This Right For You?

As with any other beauty enhancement procedures, the mid face lift is not for everybody. There are only certain individuals who can be a good candidate for this type of surgery. Be sure to have a board certified plastic surgeon evaluate if you are an ideal candidate or not. Each patient has its own facial structure, thus the facial enhancement procedure of one patient may differ from another depending on what needs to be treated and how it should be done.

Each procedure does something different. If you have a sagging eyebrow or wrinkles in the forehead area, then a mid face lift is definitely not for you since it cannot address these issues. Patients with chipmunk cheeks can have their cheeks contoured through the reduction of the buccal fat pad, while those who have problems with their chin can opt for a chin implant. However, should you want your lower eyelids or cheeks to be rejuvenated, a mid face lift may just be the solution to your aging problem.