What A Mid-Facelift Can Do For You

With aging, the face takes on many changes; subtle at first, but very apparent as time marches relentlessly on. As the cheeks start their vertical descent, they drag other facial features along for the ride. Jowls appear where fresh, full skin once resided. Lower lids start to sag as do the eyebrows. The neck skin and muscle loosen, erasing the elegant lines and contours of the chin and jaw.

Traditionally, facelifts focused on tightening the skin around the neck and jaw-line. There is a new trend among plastic surgeons to focus on the central part of the face, known as a mid-face lift. The mid-facelift focuses on a triangular area formed between the two corners of the eye and the corner of the mouth. Technically, the mid-facelift is a lower eyelid tuck that is extended to the cheeks. The procedure takes about an hour, approximately one half the time for a classical facelift.

One technique is to vertically lift the malar fat pad (cheek fat) through an incision that is typically used for lower eyelid surgery. It is then suspended in a higher position along with the circular muscle below the eye. This helps fill in the hollow areas of the face caused by age. If the amount of soft tissue of the upper mid-face is full in relation to an emptier lower mid-face and this is accomplished in a flowing and graceful manner, the face will look healthier and younger.

A second technique involves lifting the malar fat pad as part of a three phase facelift- 1) removal and tightening of loose skin, 2) lifting the support layer that consists of muscle and connective tissue to reduce jowling and 3) Freeing the malar fat pad from the underlying bone. Once it is free, a suture is run through the fat pad and underneath a nerve bridge that supplies muscle function to the forehead and upper eyelid. The suture is then pulled toward the temple area where the elevation of the fat pad is then adjusted. The cheeks appear fuller with less jowling and better lower eye contouring.

Mid-face lifts are not only for first time patients. Studies have shown that people who have had previous, traditional facelifts have seen wonderful results using these more modern techniques. Lifting the malar fat pad gave patients a more youthful look while making it possible to correct the "surprised" or "wind tunnel" effects of some traditional facelifts.

Classic eyelid tuck techniques removed fat and smoothed lines and wrinkles, but often resulted in eyes that looked sunken. The mid-facelift also corrects prior eyelid tucks while strengthening the underlying tissue, lifting and smoothing the skin. The fatty tissues of the cheek and lower eyelid are blended, removing the sunken, hollow eye appearance.

Other procedures can enhance the results. The patient's own fat can be transplanted from one area to another (Autologous fat grafting). Lips are commonly augmented to replace fat lost with aging or to create a fuller, softer look. The nose can droop with age and can often be corrected with a 'peri-piriform' implant. The chin can be augmented to improve the jaw contour. Needless to say, a good skin care regimen is important to maintain a healthy, youthful appearance.

There are many options we can share with you in our offices. Looking younger and fresher has never been safer or easier. Call us at (866) 731-3198 and see what a difference a day can make.