Overview: What Is A Midface Lift?

A midface lift, also called a cheek lift, is a facial plastic surgery procedure that lifts and corrects sagging cheeks. Sagging cheeks usually occur when the natural fat in the cheeks begins to descend. Usually, this is due to aging. The surgery repositions these structures into their natural, youthful position.

While a traditional facelift can provide some correction to the cheeks, it does not address the issue fully. Conversely, if jowls or your neck are your primary concern, a lower facelift will likely best meet your needs. Occasionally, these procedures are combined.

What Does It Treat?

A midface lift primarily addresses aging and descending structures. The procedure can correct a number of cosmetic concerns. Some of the conditions that a cheek lift may improve include:

• Descending anatomical structures in the midface
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Prominent nasolabial folds (laugh lines)
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Sunken cheeks
• Sagging skin, fat, and tissue in the cheeks
• “Tired” look caused by “heavy” cheek appearance
• May provide some improvement to under eye area

Facelift vs. Midface Lift

Aging does not happen the same for everyone. Some may see jowls form, but their cheeks remain in their natural position. Others may see their midface take on a heavier appearance, while their lower face needs only minor correction. In the first situation, a facelift is most appropriate. For the second, a cheek lift procedure will likely provide the best result. This is difficult to detect and takes the trained eye of a plastic surgeon to determine which procedure will meet your goals. The table below shows the difference between the two procedures and may provide insight into which may benefit you most.

Facelift

• Addresses the lower third of the face including the jowls, chin, neck, and jawline
• Commonly performed procedure with many variations
• Minimally invasive in most forms
• Limited correction in the midface
• May have slightly older patients

Midface Lift

• Addresses the middle third of the face including the cheeks, under eyes, and nasolabial folds
• Less commonly performed overall, but effective for ideal candidates
• Less invasive than a full facelift
• Limited correction under the eyes
• Patients range in age

The two procedures also feature many similarities. Both surgeries target the effects of aging on the face and utilize similar surgical techniques. For instance, a facelift and midface lift both reposition facial structures including the skin, fat, tissue, and muscle. Your plastic surgeon will also use small incisions hidden near the ear for either procedure. Finally, patients often choose to combine other surgical and non-surgical procedures with their facelift surgery.

Before

Before undergoing a cheek lift in Bellevue, you will come to a consultation at Northwest Face & Body to determine if you are a good candidate for the surgery. At our office, you will meet with Bellevue plastic surgeon, Dr. Ludwig Allegra, to discuss your goals for the procedure. Dr. Allegra will also review your medical history and discuss elements of your lifestyle. After this conversation, he will then examine your face and conclude if you are a good candidate for a midface lift.

Following your consultation with Dr. Allegra, you will receive a price quote and financing information. You are free to ask more questions after your consult. You can then schedule surgery once Dr. Allegra determines you are a viable candidate.

During

The day of your Bellevue midface lift will begin when you come to our state-certified surgery center. The Northwest Face & Body team will prepare you for surgery by taking your vitals and you will meet with Dr. Allegra where he will make surgical markings. Following a successful check in and preparation, a licensed anesthesia provider will place you under general anesthesia.

Dr. Allegra will begin the surgery by making an incision near or behind your ear. He is careful to hide the incision in the natural creases and folds of the body to keep them as concealed as possible. Through these incisions, he will reposition the tissue, fat, and skin of the cheeks. He may also tighten the underlying muscle structures.

To accommodate your new facial structure, Dr. Allegra may trim away some extra skin for a tighter, more youthful appearance. Finally, he will check for symmetry and stitch the incisions.

After

When you wake up from surgery, you will recover briefly in our office until fully awake and cleared to go home. Your caretaker will then take you home and you can begin your recovery at home. For the first few days, you may experience some side effects like pain, bruising, swelling, and redness. Dr. Allegra will prescribe medications to ease these side effects.

Most patients take at least one week off work following a Bellevue cheek lift. Once side effects go away and you feel better, Dr. Allegra will evaluate whether you can return to work and other activities. You will need to avoid strenuous activities for at least two weeks and certain forms of exercise for longer. Dr. Allegra may also provide personalized instructions for your midface lift based on your medical history and procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fillers Lift The Cheeks Like A Midface Lift?

Cheek fillers are an option to add volume to the cheeks and can treat a “heavy appearance” to the cheeks. For younger patients, cheek fillers may be the preferred way to enhance the cheeks. Other times, adding volume to the cheeks will not adequately address the descending structures. Dr. Allegra can take a look at the anatomy of your cheeks and determine if cheek augmentation or a midface lift is appropriate.

Can I Get Cheek Implants At The Same Time?

Yes, if you have experienced facial thinning as well as descending structures, cheek implants may be a wonderful addition to your midface lift surgery. Dr. Allegra can discuss the benefits of cheek augmentation with you and if it will improve the look of your midface lift.

Since a cheek lift does not add volume, it is understandable that patients may want to define the look of their cheeks. This is not always necessary because a cheek lift may provide additional definition that looks like more volume. Although, cheek filler and cheek implants can add more volume if needed.

How Much Is A Cheek Lift?

The price of a midface lift at Northwest Face & Body will depend on certain factors and if you combine it with other procedures. Our price list features starting points for our most popular procedures. To view an extensive list of our procedures and to find out the added up costs of all the procedures you are interested in, try our Price Simulator™. Ultimately, a final price will be provided at your consultation.

Look Younger With The Best Midface Lift In Bellevue And Kirkland

Our bodies usually begin to show their age long before we feel old. This is never more true than in the face. The nasolabial folds can appear even in young patients and a cheek lift is the only way to provide long lasting correction to this area. Dr. Ludwig Allegra is an accomplished plastic surgeon with over three decades of experience. He specializes in facelift surgeries and provides the best midface lift Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

Northwest Face & Body’s surgical facility is top of the line and state-of-the-art. Medicare-certified, our surgery center meets some of the highest possible standards for outpatient surgery. Along with this, Northwest Face & Body fulfills all surgical and non-surgical cosmetic needs.

To learn more or find out if you are a candidate for a midface lift, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also contact us online via our Price Simulator™ app, chat, or contact form.