INTRODUCTION TO CHEEK (MIDFACE) LIFT
A cheek lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed to rejuvenate the lower eyelid and mid-face or cheek area of the face. The goal is to blend the lower eyelid and the cheek and to raise the position of the cheek into a natural and youthful position. In some patients, eyelid and cheek changes begin to occur in the mid-30’s and frequently is the first procedure a younger patient needs to keep the fullness of youth.
As you get older, facial aging occurs beyond the lower eyelid and cheek area, so a face lift is frequently recommended. A face lift, however, can only pull the cheek area a certain amount from the incision in front of the ear without creating an unnatural “wind swept” appearance. A more direct approach to the cheek area with a cheek lift is recommended to avoid this problem. Lifting up the cheek can eliminate some of the sagging around the “parentheses” (properly called nasolabial folds) from the corners of the nose to the sides of the mouth.
The cheek lift procedure does not improve the lower two-thirds of the face, such as the jowls around the jawline, which is improved through a face lift and/or neck lift.
As a result of his extensive training in facial techniques both at Emory University and at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in Manhattan, Dr. Stefan Mark Szczerba’s modified cheek lift procedure is based upon proven techniques rather than “the newest thing” on TV and in ads. He takes no shortcuts in his procedures and strongly recommends finding a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in lower eyelid and mid-face surgery because the lower eyelid area is a particularly tricky and unforgiving region of the body. Any facial surgery procedure is a very complex process that requires the skill of an expert plastic surgeon like Dr. Szczerba, particularly because, unlike other parts of the body, your face is there for all to see.
GOOD CANDIDATES FOR A CHEEK LIFT
Healthy men and women experiencing signs of facial aging in the lower eyelid area or hollowing in the cheek area are good candidates for the modified cheek lift procedure used by Dr. Szczerba. Through the use of computer imaging, Dr. Szczerba can reveal your personal “before and after” results to help you understand the kinds of changes that can be accomplished with the cheek lift procedure.
Total facial rejuvenation includes eye lift, brow lift, face lift and neck lift. Dr Szczerba will discuss all the options at your consultation in his Cosmetic Surgery and Hair Center close to Chicago in Rosemont. He will decide, with you, which procedures will create the most desirable and natural final result.
HOW A CHEEK LIFT IS PERFORMED
Dr. Szczerba performs the cheek lift procedure under general anesthesia or under sedation at his Cosmetic Surgery and Hair Center. An incision is made in the lower eyelid area just under the eyelashes and into a well disguised crow’s feet line. The skin and muscle of the lower eyelid area are lifted adequately to expose the cheek pad. The cheek is then lifted and the entire cheek area and lower eyelid area is repositioned and anchored into place. The lower eyelid is carefully supported while any excess skin is removed. Final suturing is performed with very tiny stitches just below the lower eye lashes. The scars will frequently fade to an almost imperceptible quality.
Depending on the amount of hollow your cheek may have, Dr. Szczerba may elect to inject your own fat to create facial fullness for a more youthful result. This process transfers your own stem cells within the fat, which releases factors that give the skin itself a more youthful appearance. Dr. Szczerba frequently recommends this technique over cheek implants.
RECOVERY FROM A CHEEK LIFT
Most patients recover fairly rapidly from Dr. Szczerba’s modified cheek lift procedure; however, the lower eyelid area will have a slightly Asian appearance with the outer corner of the eye elevated for a few weeks. You will wish to take time from work and social activities for approximately one to two weeks because all patients inevitably have some bruising and swelling with any facial procedure. You will want to avoid the use of contact lenses for about a week, perhaps two.
A modified cheek lift will create a long lasting youthful appearance in your lower eyelid/cheek region. If you avoid skin damage from the sun, alcohol, and smoking, you can lengthen the effects.