A cheek lift repositions the sagging tissue over the cheek bone to correct a drooping look. The procedure results in a lifted cheek area and restores a youthful contour to the face. It can also soften the effects of the drooping tissue such as fine lines and hollowing. A well done cheek lift will restore and enhance the “apple” of the cheek.
Good candidates for a cheek lift are:
Sagging cheeks can be lifted using threads placed in the deep malar fat pad, in order to resuspend the fat pad to its original position through a small incision in the hairline. The procedure can be done under local anesthesia with light sedation and the downtime is generally about one week.
Cheek lift surgery is performed through the same incision used for lower eyelid surgery, just below the eyelashes. The midface tissue is then lifted to the original position, with fat grafting often performed at the same time. There may be bruising and swelling that normally subsides in 7–10 days. We also frequently perform lower eyelid surgery simultaneously to correct bags under the eyes.
Dr. Lee may advise a patient to consider cheek implants, when necessary, to meet their aesthetic goals. Implants return a youthful fullness to the cheeks and can correct imbalance or asymmetry in the face. The placement of cheek implants requires a surgical procedure and more downtime, in comparison to a noninvasive cheek lift.
Stitches will dissolve within one week of surgery. Patients who normally wear contact lenses will be required to wear eyeglasses for two weeks after surgery, so that there is no pulling on the lower eyelid. There may be bruising and swelling that typically subsides in 7–10 days. Recovery could be extended in the case of a combination procedure.
