About
- A mid-facelift, sometimes called a cheek lift, is a cosmetic procedure that tightens the skin from the upper mouth to eye area.
- A mid-facelift can give the face a more youthful-looking appearance and make the under eye area appear less sunken.
- A mid-facelift doesn’t target the jawline or forehead. For work in those areas, a full facelift is a better option.
Safety
- If the mid-facelift procedure is done by a skilled and trained surgeon, it’s generally considered safe. But as with all plastic surgery, there are risks involved with the procedure.
- Side effects and risks include prolonged swelling, pain, complications from anesthesia, and noticeable scarring.
Convenience
- A mid-facelift procedure takes around 2 hours to complete and requires anesthesia.
- You may need to spend the night in the hospital. Most people need about 2 weeks of recovery before returning to work or other activities.
- The mid-facelift procedure should only be performed by a trained plastic surgeon.
Cost
- Mid-facelifts are typically less expensive than a full facelift
- Insurance will not cover this elective cosmetic procedure.
- Typically, a mid-facelift procedure will cost between $6,000 and $8,000, but can cost around $15,000 in some regions.
Effectiveness
- Mid-facelifts are very effective at tightening the skin around the cheeks, and most people are satisfied with the results.
- Results generally last about 10 years.
A mid-facelift is sometimes called a cheek lift. The surgical procedure helps tighten saggy cheeks and can smooth laugh lines, but it doesn’t target the chin or forehead area the way a full facelift does.
To perform a mid-facelift, a surgeon makes two small incisions by the hairline, then tightens the muscles and manipulates the fat pads under the skin.
A mid-facelift can be a great option for people who want a more youthful-looking appearance, prominent-looking cheekbones, and brighter eyes, and don’t want work done on their jawline and forehead.
Most people are very satisfied with the
The price of a mid-facelift will vary depending on many factors, such as the surgeon, facility, and pre- or postoperative fees. Generally, the cost ranges from $6,000 to $8,000 but may be as much as $15,000, depending on your geographic location.
Because it’s an elective cosmetic procedure, insurance won’t cover it.
Don’t forget to factor in the cost of missed work, too. In most cases, you won’t be able to return to work for 2 weeks.
As skin ages, it starts to lose its natural ability to snap back into place. This can cause looser skin and sagging.
And as the skin ages, so do the structures beneath it, like muscles, ligaments, fat, and even bones.
A mid-facelift works by actually tightening the muscles behind the skin, so the skin looks more taut. The surgeon will also reposition fat so the area under the eyes looks less hollow.
During a mid-facelift, your surgeon will manipulate muscle and lift fat pads under the skin to:
- help smooth out creases and wrinkles
- remove excess skin that may be sagging
- lift and tighten the facial skin
- plump the area around the eyes
A mid-facelift targets the area between the upper corner of the mouth to the corners of the eyes.
The most noticeable difference will be in the cheek area, where the skin will look tighter.
Most cosmetic surgery carries at least some risk, including mid-facelifts.
Potential risks and side effects include:
- bruising
- prolonged swelling
- anesthesia risks
- infection
- pain
- scarring
Call your doctor if your pain is getting worse or your swelling isn’t subsiding after your mid-facelift.
Full recovery from a mid-facelift may take several months, but most people will see full results in 2 to 3 months.
Refrain from strenuous physical activity or exercise for 3 weeks after the surgery. Your surgeon may advise you to sleep slightly elevated on your back.
You’ll likely have to return to your surgeon about a week after surgery to have the stitches removed, unless your surgeon uses sutures that dissolve on their own.
The incision by the ears and hairline shouldn’t be noticeable once it’s fully healed.
It’s always helpful to see before and after photos from real people who’ve had mid-facelifts. They can help you decide whether the procedure is right for you and your desired results. Below you’ll find some before and after pictures.
Your surgeon should tell you exactly what to do to prepare for your mid-facelift. Usually, this involves avoiding:
- alcohol
- smoking
- blood-thinning medications, including ibuprofen and herbal supplements
You’ll likely need to spend the night in the hospital, so pack a bag of the things you may need, and arrange a ride home for the next day.
If possible, arrive at your appointment with clean, dry skin.
A mid-facelift and a full facelift are similar procedures, but a full facelift is more invasive. It targets the face from the neck to the forehead. A mid-facelift targets the space between the upper lip and the corner of the eyes.
A full facelift is best for targeting wrinkles in the forehead and looser neck skin, while a mid-facelift helps tighten the skin around the cheeks (though a full facelift will do that, too).
Both procedures require an incision at the hairline and typically around the ear in an “S” shape.
The initial recovery time for a full facelift is similar to that of a mid-facelift, though the incision may be larger in a full facelift.
After a full facelift, you should be able to resume normal activity within 2 weeks, with full results within 2 or 3 months.
A mid-facelift should only be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.
It’s always a good idea to meet with the surgeon beforehand, either in person or virtually. You can talk about your desired results, what to expect from the procedure, and see their portfolio of real clients.
Use the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Find a Surgeon Tool to get a list of board certified plastic surgeons near you.
