Overview:
While most facelifts treat the sides of the face – in front of the ear and along the lower jaw – a mid-facelift treats the front, giving lifted, youthful cheek contours, rejuvenating the area below the eyelids and smoothing the junction between the lower eyelid and the cheek.
A true mid-facelift is most effectively done via incisions in the lower eyelid and behind the top lip and helps to reverse the earliest signs of aging (sagging cheeks) more effectively than your traditional facelift.
Your surgeon will discuss with you prior to surgery the best approach for you, such as using the lower eyelid route while doing a lower eyelid tuck or blepharoplasty. An alternative approach is to access the cheekbone via an incision in the mouth above the teeth. By carefully lifting the soft tissue, this can be elevated back to its original position over the cheekbone. The tissue is then held in place by a suspension or stitches placed in an incision in the hair at the temples. This procedure takes about an hour and a half, and results in beautifully restored facial contours.
Often combined with a traditional face and neck lift, this also works as a “stand-alone” procedure and is often seen as the first line of defense in the fight against aging.
Candidates:
The best candidates for Mid-facelift are men or women of any age with good general health. This procedure is most commonly performed on people from age 40 onwards; although it couls and is done in younger patients to improve facial contour aesthetics it may also be combined with cheek implants.
It is important to be realistic in your expectations and that to realise that although cosmetic Surgery may enhance your appearance and improve your self esteem, it may not alter the way other people treat you, or change your appearance to match your ideal. You should be emotionally stable and have a full understanding of the procedure and anticipated results prior to proceeding. A positive outlook helps in a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.
What to expect:
During the consultation, we evaluate your overall health along with your skin quality, skin looseness, folds, and wrinkles. In addition, the underlying bone anatomy will be assessed and a facial rejuvenation treatment plan will be created that will help attain the best results. Your own personal assessment & concerns are explored and discussed.
There are several variations of a surgical facelift, including a skin-only lift, which is reserved for patients with less sagging, a mid-facelift, which address the cheeks and mid-face area, and for those with severe sagging, a deep-plane lift, which addresses deeper wrinkles and folds. It is very common to combine nonsurgical techniques with a facelift to maximize results.
This may include wrinkle fillers or neuro-toxin (like Botox), as well as a chemical peel or a laser treatment to address skin irregularities on the surface, such as scars, sunspots and blemishes. It is common to inject some of your own tissues such as fat cells & blood platelets (PRP) to augment repair & promote healing.
After Surgery / Recovery:
You will be given instructions on care of your dressings (if any) on discharge from the Surgery. The bandage will generally be removed 24 hours after your Surgery. You will need to sleep with 2 to 3 pillows to keep the head raised for the first week following Surgery. This helps minimise swelling and bruising.
Bruising may appear on your forehead and around your eyes. This usually dissipates within seven to ten days although may persist for six to eight weeks. This bruising and swelling can be camouflaged with special make-up, which is available through our Clinic.
Ice packs and elevation are the best methods of reducing swelling and bruising, especially if applied in the first 24 – 48 hours. Remember not to place ice directly in contact with the skin, wrap it in a plastic bags and towels so that it produces a pleasant cool rather than a stinging cold. You may prefer to use a dampened hand towel placed in the refrigerator for several minutes to chill.
You will be asked to attend our Rooms on an outpatient basis, to be monitored postoperatively. This will also enable us to address any problems you may have.
Sutures will be removed at about the tenth to fourteenth day postoperatively. If surgical screws are used in your procedure, it will be necessary to remove these after approximately ten days postoperatively. This is a procedure performed in our Rooms.
Procedure Planning:
Initial Meeting : 45-60 minutes
Pre-op : 30-45 minutes
Procedure time : 2 Hours
Recovery Time : 6 Week (2 Weeks at home)
Post-op follow-up : 1 Week
Related Procedures:
Browlift
Temple lift
Neck
Facial Rejuvenation
Cheek augmentation
Lower Lid Blepharoplasty