What is a Midface Lift?
A midface lift is a surgical procedure which primarily rejuvenates the middle region of your face. This is the area across your face that includes your cheekbones and the upper portion of your nasolabial folds. It is also a critical component in the appearance of your eyes and the region around your eyes. When gravity and aging negatively affect the underlying structures that support the midface, this region weighs down your lower eyelids and alters their appearance.The midface lift can be performed alone, but is also commonly combined with other surgeries. For patients seeking comprehensive facial rejuvenation, it is done in conjunction with a facelift, brow lift and eyelid surgery. Some patients have premature aging in the midface region due to poor underlying support from their facial bones and thus benefit from combining this procedure with an implant designed to augment their natural bone to create a permanent, subtle change to their midface region. Another common surgery done with the midface lift is lower eyelid surgery. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Hobar will carefully examine your face and listen to your own observations before he makes a personalized recommendation for you based on his assessment and experience and your goals and concerns.
Why choose Dr. Hobar?
Dr. Hobar is renowned for his pioneering work in facial rejuvenation. At his cosmetic practice in Dallas, patients are able to benefit from his expertise in the area of the midface lift, commonly called a cheek lift. A presentation of Dr. Hobar’s specialized midface technique was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in October of 1998 and this presentation has been added to their educational library.
As Dr. Hobar explains,
“The middle portion of the face is a very key part of the face in the aging process and is often one of the first areas to show signs of aging. There is a triangular pad of fat that overlies the muscles in this region. When it is up high, as in youth, it adds to a tight look of the skin, helps enhance the cheekbones, and supports a youthful, fresh look of the lower eye region. As a person ages, this fat pad tends to descend with gravity, dragging the skin with it. This can result in prominence of the wrinkles around the corner of the mouth, a hollowness to the eyes, and a more sunken appearance of the cheekbones. The subperiosteal approach that I use is a very safe, effective way to restore a more youthful appearance to this region. I frequently perform this technique in combination with a face lift and brow lift, but some patients are excellent candidates for this procedure alone.”
Am I a good candidate?
Most importantly, it is essential that you be in good physical health. A midface lift is very safe and effective when the patient is in sound physical condition. It is important to disclose all of your current and past health conditions as well as any prescribed or over the counter medications or supplements you take. After a careful review of this information, Dr. Hobar might suggest certain preoperative tests to ensure that you are a good surgical candidate.The midface lift is a wonderful procedure for restoring youthfulness to the face that has been challenged by gravity, time and genetics.
How is this procedure performed?
In a midface lift, Dr. Hobar makes two small incisions inside your mouth and two hidden incisions in your hair in the temple region. He then tightens the underlying muscle and connective tissues in this area, repositioning the cheek fat pads to their desired location.The procedure is usually scheduled for roughly three hours which enables Dr. Hobar to work in a focused and precise manner. You’re put to sleep under general anesthesia by an anesthesia professional that Dr. Hobar hand selects and works with on a regular basis. General anesthesia ensures a very well controlled, safe surgical experience. After surgery, you are taken to the recovery room where you are closely monitored as you awaken from anesthesia.
Recovery
After surgery, you will have a bandage around your face for your comfort. The next morning, this is removed by Dr. Hobar or one of his staff. Most people experience bruising and swelling, but the degree varies from patient to patient. Patients find that five to seven days after surgery, their swelling and bruising has subsided enough to enable them to resume activities with moderate levels of interaction, such as grocery shopping and other errands. Keep in mind that the healing process is just that – a process. It is not uncommon at the one week appointment for suture removal. Some patients will have very little bruising or swelling, while others have more swelling. Be patient with yourself and this process. While it is imperative to be active, eat well and get plenty of rest, it is true that people heal at different paces.Most patients’ experiences with a midface lift are not markedly painful. Instead, they primarily feel mild discomfort and tightness. Medication includes pain medicine, antibiotics and usually medicine to help with the swelling. Some patients benefit from the pain medicine and others prefer plain Tylenol. The recovery process should not inhibit people from moving, eating and maintaining a light activity level during the recovery process. Dr. Hobar will usually encourage you to begin light exercise a week after surgery and resume full activity within a couple of weeks.
