Sarasota Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Sessa
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Before & After
The signs of aging tend to affect the lower and upper thirds of the face earlier on and more aggressively. This is why facelifts and brow lifts focus their surgical techniques on the lower third (for facelifts) and upper third (brow lifts). However, some people also experience sagging or early signs of aging in the cheek and midface area. While a traditional or extended facelift may offer some improvements in the area, they will not offer larger amounts of correction. When it comes to this area of the face, a procedure known as a midface lift, or cheek lift, is usually the best option. Dr. Alberico Sessa of Sarasota Surgical Arts offers the best midface lift in Sarasota.
A midface lift is a cosmetic procedure that lifts the skin, fat, and muscles in the cheek area. This area stretches from the under eyes to the lips. It most commonly treats sagging or heavy cheeks. This can lead to an all around younger appearance by repositioning the fat and skin to improve facial proportions.
A cheek lift can correct many structures of the face and signs of aging that patients find concerning. For example, over time the fat in the cheeks can begin to descend with age. This “heavy” appearance of the cheeks is often one that Sarasota midface lift patients aim to correct. During the procedure, Dr. Sessa can reposition the fat pads in the cheeks. Along with descending facial structures, a cheek lift in Sarasota can improve the appearance of:
As far as what a cheek lift will not correct, one of the common misconceptions is that a cheek lift will define the cheekbones. While the procedure may shift the cheek structures, true cheekbone definition is best achieved through cheek implants or filler. Depending on your goals, these procedures may complement a midface lift.
Additionally, sagging in lower facial structures like the jowls can drag down the midface. In these cases, a full facelift, deep plane facelift, or SmartLift will often lead to the necessary correction in both areas
Candidates for midface lifts range in age. Compared to facelift patients, midface lift patients are usually younger and experiencing the early signs of aging. In general, most ideal candidates for the procedure range from 35-60. Occasionally, heavy cheeks will run in families, which can lead to younger candidates. Some conditions like Grave’s disease may also affect the look of the midface area.
The best candidates for the procedure include healthy individuals who experience sagging in the cheeks or have concerns about their nasolabial folds. Ideal candidates also typically would not see the needed correction from a standard facelift, or may need a facelift in addition to a cheek lift.
Ultimately, the best way to determine if you are a candidate for a cheek lift is to schedule a consultation with Sarasota cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sessa. Dr. Sessa will inquire about your goals for the procedure, medical history, and lifestyle. He will then conduct a thorough examination to determine if your facial structures would benefit from a Sarasota midface lift.
Unless evaluated by a professional in the field, it is hard to determine whether a midface lift or facelift will give you the best results. The two procedures are similar, but target different areas of the face. This is the main difference between the two face surgeries.
Despite their differences, each procedure can provide some level of correction to the midface. The procedure best suited for your goals and needs will depend on the structures of your face and the desired end result. Some of the possible procedures include a facelift, brow lift, mini facelift, and more.
In the table below, you can find the differences between a midface lift and a facelift to garner an idea of which may benefit you.
| Midface Lift | Facelift |
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In some cases, Dr. Sessa may perform a midface lift and facelift together. He will determine if one or both procedures will fit your goals. When performed together, the two procedures can complement each other nicely, especially if structures in the lower face contributed to sagging in the midface.
Choosing to undergo any cosmetic facial surgery can take months or years of research and attending many consults. At Sarasota Surgical Arts, Dr. Sessa and his team of seasoned medical professionals aim to make every step on the journey easy and streamlined.
The first step in Sarasota cheek lift surgery is the consultation with Dr. Sessa. As previously discussed, Dr. Sessa will begin your consultation with a conversation. He will want to garner a good understanding of your goals and expectations for the procedure. Next, he will want to know your medical history and lifestyle to determine you are a good surgery candidate. Finally, he will examine the structures of your face to determine if a midface lift is right for you.
Upon determining you are a candidate, Dr. Sessa will fully explain the procedure and demonstrate the results you can expect. From there, at your pre-operative appointment, you will receive specific and personalized instructions to follow before surgery. Examples of typical instructions may include: ceasing or beginning the use of certain medications, abstaining from drugs or alcohol, and when you can eat or drink prior to surgery.
On the day of your midface lift, you will come to our state-of-the-art facility in Sarasota, FL. A licensed anesthetist will administer general anesthesia. Once sedated, Dr. Sessa will begin surgery with a small incision in or just above the hairline. Sometimes, if you are having a blepharoplasty at the same time, it may be possible to perform your cheek lift through lower eyelid incisions. However, most midface lifts involve hairline incisions.
Through these incisions, Dr. Sessa will remove extra skin, reposition fat, and may address the facial muscles. The procedure utilizes minimal incisions and takes between one to two hours if performed on its own. If you choose to have a facelift, brow lift, or other procedure with your cheek lift in Sarasota, it may take longer.
Immediately after surgery, you will wake up and be given specific post-operative instructions. Most cheek lift patients go home the same day. You will need a caregiver to take care of you for at least the first twenty four hours following surgery.
Recovery after a midface lift is similar to a traditional facelift recovery. It is normal to experience pain, swelling, and redness. Minor symptoms should clear up in around a week, although residual swelling may last for a month or more.
Most patients return to work and the majority of their activities in about a week. Although strenuous exercise, will continue to have restrictions for at least two weeks.
Get an instant price quote for a midface lift and many other cosmetic surgery procedures. Our interactive tool gives you a tentative price quote for cosmetic surgery procedures you are interested in and allows you to contact our office directly through email, text, and phone.
Dr. Alberico Sessa is a renowned cosmetic surgeon, especially known for his innovative SmartLift facelift. The SmartLift is less invasive and his before and after photos show Dr. Sessa’s immense skill in facial plastic surgery. A master of the Sarasota facelift, Dr. Sessa deeply understands facial aesthetics and can aid you on your cosmetic surgery journey.
Sarasota Surgical Arts is the premier destination for all facial plastic surgeries in Florida. With decades of experience and a surgical center accredited by the Florida Board of Medicine, Dr. Sessa and the Sarasota Surgical Arts team are fully equipped and qualified to handle your care.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sessa, call us at 941-923-1736 or contact us online.
Unlike a traditional facelift that may provide some mild correction to the structures above, a midface lift will likely not correct the appearance of saggy jowls. A facelift is usually the best procedure to address this area. Sometimes a combined procedure may provide the best results. There are jowl treatment options that can be performed with a midface lift.
There is no necessary “right age” for a Sarasota midface lift. If you have saggy or heavy appearing cheeks as an adult, you may be a candidate for a cheek lift procedure. On average, patients tend to be middle aged or older, as age is the most common cause of descending structures in the face.
Yes, if you want to define your cheekbones and are a good candidate for a facial implant, Dr. Sessa can usually place the implants at the same time he performs your midface lift.
Every surgery comes with some inherent risks. For example, the risks of fluid collection, necrosis, and infection pertain to nearly any surgery, cosmetic or not. Dr. Sessa works to minimize these risks wherever possible. This includes thorough screening, specific recovery instructions, and post-operative appointments.
The first and most important step to ensuring a low risk surgery is identifying low risk patients. In general, this means patients with well managed or no major medical conditions and who can withstand surgery. He may also take other steps on a case-by-case basis to lower your individual risk.
As mentioned earlier, the most common cause of cheek sagging is the natural descent of facial structures that happens with aging. This, of course, will not affect all people in the same way. Some may only see minor aging in their midface area, while others may see a concentration of sagging and wrinkles in the area.
Outside of aging, some people are born with a heavy cheek look. In these cases, cheek filler, implants, or a midface lift may serve as solutions if they want to address heavy cheeks. Dr. Sessa can aid these patients in choosing the option best for them.
Finally, medical conditions such as those affecting the thyroid, injury, or neurological conditions can all contribute to sagging cheeks. Sometimes this can be corrected through a cheek lift, although Dr. Sessa can address whether the surgery will meet your goals.
