Midface lift Pensacola
Typical Timing/Age
45-65 years old
Problem
Facial aging is multifactorial. Facial aging can be broken down into three basic problems: ptosis (falling or sagging of tissues), atrophy (decreased volume and loss of tissue) and decreased skin quality. A midfacelift corrects – “ptosis” (falling or sagging of tissues) of the upper cheek and lower eyelid tissue. The addition of fat grafting to treat areas of volume loss and skin resurfacing to improve skin quality can dramatically improve the final result after a “midface lift.” The midface lift serves to move the upper cheek and lower eyelid tissues back into a higher and more aesthetically pleasing location thereby improving facial contour. Unlike a face lift, a midface lift will not treat the neck, jowls, lateral cheek or excess facial skin.
Procedure
The procedure is done through an incision on the lower eyelid millimeters below the eyelashes and incisions inside the mouth. Through these incisions the tear trough is treated and the middle-upper cheek is elevated. The procedure takes approximately 3-4 hours. Some less severe “tear trough” or “orbital-malar” creases can be temporarily masked with dermal fillers.
Goal
To improve the appearance of the eyes and cheeks by effacing the orbital-malar sulcus, smoothing out the lower eyelid skin and elevating the upper cheek.
Facility
Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should wait at least 6 months after LASIK vision surgery. Patients should also have any dry eye symptoms treated prior to undergoing elective cosmetic eyelid surgery.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia in a surgery center or hospital.
Recovery
Hospital stay
Most patients go home after surgery and do not require a night in the hospital.
Positioning
After a midface lift you should sleep with your head elevated above your heart for a few days to help reduce the swelling.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
You may shower immediately following surgery.
Exercise
1 week for light exercise. 2 weeks for regular exercise.
Sex
Wait 1 week because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
You may be bruised for 1-2 weeks. If you have a desk job you can return to work as soon as you are comfortable doing so. Most people take 1-2 weeks off of work.
Swelling
Usually subsides by 1 week.
Bruising
Usually subsides by 1-2 weeks.
Follow-up Appointments
1-3 days after surgery, 7-10 days, 3 weeks, 6 months, 1 year.
Risks & Complications
Lower eyelid malposition, dry eyes, chemosis, asymmetry, bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, numbness, need for revision, complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque
*Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank: Statistics 2013. (2014). Aesthetic Surgery Journal / the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 34(1 suppl), 1S-22S.doi:10.1177/1090820X14542571
