Midface Lift

Dr. Hilinski is "Double Board Certified" in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

Featured Case
Rhinoplasty Case Example

The current Featured Rhinoplasty Case Example was chosen because of the many complexities involved with her surgery. This is an otherwise healthy young lady who desired reshaping of her nose due to several areas of concern. She had no prior surgery on her nose.
click here to continue

The midface lift is a procedure that helps restore a more youthful look to the cheek area. This is an area of the face that is not always effectively treated by the traditional facelift procedure. As we age, the cheek area begins to droop. In many cases this results in unwanted flattening of the cheek, which contributes to a tired, aged look. In addition, this can reveal unwanted puffiness below the eyes and deepening of the smile lines (as the cheek begins to hang down).

The midface lift helps reverse these signs of aging by restoring and enhancing cheek volume. Using incisions that are essentially hidden, the underlying cheek muscle and soft tissue are elevated and lifted. The tissue is repositioned higher on the cheek so that the cheek volume and prominence is restored. The midface lift also helps the lower eyelid naturally blend with the cheek. The procedure also helps "soften" and remove the deep smile line crease.

Before & After Photos

The midface lift can be done under deep sedation or general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. It is usually performed in an outpatient surgery center though in rare cases some patients can elect to have the procedure done in the office-based setting with local anesthesia. Many patients opt to have the midface lift while undergoing other procedures such as a facelift and browlift. The surgery takes only a few hours with limited swelling and bruising that may last for several days. Patients are advised to sleep with the head elevated and apply ice compresses during the first few days. Any pain that patients experience is well controlled with low-dose prescription medication. Patients are usually able to return to work within seven to ten days after the midface lift and often sooner for those not bothered by any residual swelling.

Overall, the midface lift procedure is ideal for patients who have unwanted drooping in their midface and/or a hollow look under the lower eyelids. Midface lift patients often complain of a tired, aged look to the midface. Some have never had significant volume or contour over the cheekbone while others have seen a significant drop in contour due to sagging of the cheek fat pad. Some patients who are considering possible cheek augmentation with a cheek implant may also be candidates for the midface lift. For a procedure that is minimally invasive, the results can be quite dramatic and long lasting. Come in today to see if you are a candidate for the midface lift.

Click here to view Dr. Hilinski discussing the Endotine Midface Lift procedure on San Diego's KUSI Morning News Show.

Click here to view our San Diego Midface Lift Gallery

Q - What is the midface lift?
The midface lift is a procedure designed to lift and rejuvenate the midface region, or the area in between the lower eyelid and upper lip. The midface lift can soften and improve a deep smile line (nasolabial fold) and help to provide additional contour and volume to the cheek region – a classic sign of youth. There are two main types of midface lift procedures. The first is termed a ‘temporal midface lift’ and helps to lift the cheek upward and laterally. This is for patients who do not have a significant loss of volume along the medial cheek/eyelid junction (adjacent to the nose) and who primarily desire more contour and fullness over the cheekbone. The second type is termed a ‘vertical midface lift’ and helps to elevate the cheek soft tissue directly upward toward the eye. This approach is used in patients who have a loss of volume across the entire eyelid/cheek junction as well as over the cheekbone. These patients will benefit more for a direct vertical lifting of the soft tissue.

Q - Who is a good candidate for a midface lift?
Healthy men and women who are bothered by aging changes involving the midface region are good candidates for the midface lift. Most patients present with a complaint of a tired, aged look to the midface and often have a flattened appearance or hollowed look between the lower eyelid and upper lip. Many have never had significant volume or contour over the cheekbone, while others have seen a significant drop in the contour they once had due to descent/sagging of the cheek fat pad. A midface lift will elevate and reposition this soft tissue and fat pad higher on the cheek, thereby providing a more contoured, youthful appearance;

Q - Where is the midface lift procedure performed?
Midface lift surgery is usually performed in an outpatient surgery center. In rare cases, some patients can elect to have the procedure performed in the office-based setting.

Q - What type of anesthesia is used for the midface lift?
Most midface lifts are done under deep sedation or general anesthesia. Rarely a straight local anesthesia can be used if the procedure is performed in the office setting.

Dr. Hilinski's office in San Diego, CA is conveniently located near the following: