A cheek lift, also known as a mid-face lift, is a plastic surgery that removes excess tissue and skin from the cheeks for a smoother, better contoured face. Richmond area facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Matthew Bridges M.D. FACS performs a cheek lift on patients that have developed lines and wrinkles around the mouth and nose, as well as decreased projection and fullness of the cheeks. A cheek lift is usually performed with an endoscope, which allows for smaller incisions and more subtle lifting and contouring. A cheek lift may be combined with another face plastic surgery, often an eyelid lift or facial implant.

During a cheek lift procedure, incisions are made around the hairline and ear. Endoscopy is the popular way to perform this surgery because it gives the surgeon a good view of the inside of the cheek, and helps to minimize scarring. Using sutures that are placed directly in the fat pad, the cheek is pulled back up to its original position, giving the face a more youthful appearance. This procedure tightens and smoothes the appearance of nasolabial folds, as well as the vertical lines that run downward from the mouth and on the sides of the chin. 

All cheek lift procedures are performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility. The length of the surgery, if performed alone, will usually vary between 1-2 hours. This surgery is considered an outpatient procedure. After surgery, patients will be bruised and swollen and the face will feel tight. The recovery following a cheek lift takes about 7-10 days. It is common for patients to feel anxious about how their face will appear. It may take up to several months or longer for the final results to appear.

While surgery typically produces the most dramatic results, many patients may find satisfactory results with injectable fillers. This approach, while successful, is better reserved for patients who are not as concerned with drooping, loose skin. Certain fillers can assist in smoothing out wrinkles, improving fine lines and adding facial volume under the cheeks. These options can be discussed during the initial consultation.

In the days immediately following any kind of facial surgery, patients will feel tight and pulled. The cheeks, in particular, will feel stretched as the skin adjusts to its new position. This is a short-term effect and will subside, leaving the cheeks to feel natural. It’s important to find a reputable surgeon skilled in facial surgery. Surgeons who know what they are doing will make every effort to work within the confines of the patient’s bone, skin and muscle structures for a younger, more natural look can result.  

Cheek lifts have advanced greatly in recent years, leaving scars to look inconspicuous. The incisions are typically made along the natural hairline, or along the crease of the natural folds of the face. The sutures are usually placed under the skin. The majority of the time, patients fully heal from this surgery, and the scars are barely visible to the naked eye.