Facelift

MidFacelift

Midface lift, or cheek lift, procedure can lift sagging cheeks, smooth out nasal furrows, and pull up the corners of your lips. It can be performed alone, in combination with an endoscopic browlift or laser resurfacing, or as part of a fullfacelift.

When to Consider a MidFacelift

If your cheeks look flatter than before, your cheekbones have clear boundaries and you see a tired expression in the mirror, you may be suitable. Of course, you will be evaluated by your doctor before surgery. This surgery is not necessarily performed at an older age. It is mostly done after the age of 30.

How is a midfacelift procedure performed?

Mid face lift surgery; By making special cuts through the scalp and through the mouth, deep tissues are released and carried up. Fullness is provided on the cheekbones. Endoscopic mid facelift is to remove the upper and middle tissues of the face and fix them to their new places above. By taking care of the hair follicles in the scalp, a suitable incision is made and sutured properly, so no uncomfortable marks remain.

A younger appearance appears after the operation and the grooves on the rim disappear. The operation takes an average of 1.5-3 hours. Depending on the added surgical intervention (such as eyelid aesthetics, oil injection), the time is extended.

Aftercare and Recovery

What will my recovery and healing from a midfacelift be like?
Your surgeon will discuss how long it will be before you can return to your normal level of activity and work. After surgery, you and your caregiver will receive detailed instructions about your post-surgical care, including information about:

• Drains, if they have been placed
• Normal symptoms you will experience
• Potential signs of complications

Immediately after your midfacelift surgery

• You may be placed in a compression garment or wrap immediately after surgery. Wear this exactly as directed. Remove it only as directed for cleansing incisions or showering.
• To minimize swelling, recline rather than lie down. This will be more comfortable for you, and can reduce swelling. Always keep your head elevated. Do not bend forward or over.
• You will have a mild to moderate amount of pain and discomfort. This should be easily controlled with oral medications. If it is not, call your surgeon.
• The discomfort and pain should begin to decrease within forty-eight hours after surgery. If you have a significant increase in pain after this period, call your plastic surgeon. Severe pain is rare; if you experience this, call the doctor immediately.
• Expect bruising and swelling. These symptoms will peak within the first thirty-six to forty-eight hours after surgery and will gradually subside over the next ten to fourteen days. To minimize swelling, sleep with your head elevated for a couple of weeks after the surgery.
• It is not unusual to have some slight drainage for the first forty-eight hours. A bulky cotton compression dressing with drains will cover your scalp and face for one to two days to help prevent blood collections under the skin.

Recovery time frame after a midfacelift
Follow all post-surgery instructions, including information about bandages, drains, taking an antibiotic (if prescribed), and the level of activity that is safe. Your doctor will let you know the signs of problems to watch for, such as signs of infection. Recovery time will vary by patient and in relation to the extent of your surgery.

The first week

• You may not drive for at least a week after surgery.
• A feeling of tightness in your neck is not unusual after surgery. This sensation is most pronounced in the first one to two days after surgery while the bulky dressing is in place.
• During your first post-op visit, the bulky dressing and usually the drains will be removed. You may be placed in a supportive elastic face garment that is to be worn according to your doctor’s instructions.
• Do not take any aspirin or any anti-inflammatory compounds for two weeks before and two weeks after your surgery unless you first discuss it with your surgeon.
• It is recommended to sleep with your head elevated forty degrees for two weeks; an additional pillow or two under your mattress may help, if necessary.
• Apply cool (not cold) compresses to your eyes. Do not apply ice or anything frozen directly on the skin. Soak soft, white washcloths or gauze squares in ice water and wring out well. Apply directly to the eyes, but not to the cheeks or neck. Do not apply any pressure. Apply cool compresses for no longer than twenty-minute intervals. Do not apply heat.
• Stay up (sitting, standing, walking around) as much as possible after you return home. This helps to decrease facial swelling.
• Avoid bending or lifting heavy things for one week. Besides aggravating swelling, this may raise your blood pressure and encourage bleeding.
• You may wash your hair gently twenty-four hours after your surgery. Do not use the usual heat-type hair dryer; use the cap type or use the cool setting on the blow dryer.
• You may shower or bathe the day after surgery, but do not let the spray directly strike your face. It is permissible to get your suture lines wet, however.
• Report any excessive bleeding that persists after applying pressure for fifteen to twenty minutes.

Two to six weeks

• Don’t go swimming, diving, water skiing, or participate in strenuous athletic activity for at least one month after surgery.
• You can expect to experience some numbness around your ear lobes, face, and neck for several weeks after surgery.
• Refrain from any strenuous exercise and from bending or lifting.
• You may begin sleeping in a modified reclining position, but do not sleep lying flat or on your stomach. If you are a side sleeper, two pillows under your head and a soft pillow under your mid-back and shoulders may offer more comfort.
• Do not wear makeup until you have been told to do so.
• During the first four to six weeks your scars may appear red and be slightly firm and raised then the redness fades and the scar softens. It takes a minimum of one year for the scar to achieve its final appearance.
• Refrain from direct sun exposure. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. If you are outdoors, apply at least an SPF thirty at least thirty minutes before sun exposure. Your face will be highly susceptible to sunburn or the formation of irregular, darkened pigmentation.

Long term
You may ease into your regular fitness routine. However, wear protective eyewear and a hat. Discomfort or tightness and tingling in your face will resolve. Be prepared to wait at least six months for your facelift to completely heal inside and out. It is important to see your doctor as scheduled.

Limitations and Risks

Fortunately, significant complications from facelift surgery are infrequent. This surgery remains the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and is usually performed without any major problems.

Risks and potential complications of surgery should be discussed during your consultation. The risks in most surgeries are similar. Some of the potential complications of all surgeries are:

• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Hematoma or seroma (an accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may require removal)
• Infection
• Changes in sensation
• Scarring
• Allergic reactions
• Damage to underlying structures
• Unsatisfactory results that may necessitate additional procedures.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your board-certified plastic surgeon, both before and after your facelift surgery.