One of the earliest signs that we are maturing is that the middle third of the face droops with gravity. A less vibrant, sad, or angry look results as the cheek fat pad droops over the folds that travel from the nose to the mouth and from the mouth to the jaw. The face seems to thin out, and cheek structure is lost. The lower eyelid is stretched downward and this is the major factor in the aged appearance of the midface. Patients are perceived as tired, mad, or depressed--even though they are active and happy.

These changes are stubborn and resistant to treatment, and begin in the 30's. Collagen, fat transfers, and even facelift techniques do not fully correct these changes. In the past, treatments and surgery to reduce this middle third sag produce a stretched or unnatural look. Or there were risks that were too significant—until now. Dr. Sanders can perform the Midface Lift (with minimal risk) and within a few days the patient is back to their normal activities.

During the procedure Endotine absorbable implants are placed through small incisions in the hair and under the lip to lift the sagging cheek fat pads. The sagging fat pad is lifted upward, carrying the face with it. The cheek is restored and the sagging folds are reduced with this simple procedure, performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center.

The procedure may be performed alone, or it may be performed in conjunction with other larger or minimally invasive procedures. Often, it is all that a younger patient, a patient with good skin and/or high cheekbones, or a patient who needs a facelift tune-up requires. Patients may wish to change this aspect of their appearance and address other concerns at another time as well. Most commonly, the midface lift is combined with a lower eyelid lift at the same time.

The Midface Lift can produce significant improvement. In the more mature patient (50-75) with a great deal of mid face sagging, the result can appear dramatic. The quick recovery makes these patients some of the most enthusiastic for the procedure. Younger patients (35-50) will notice outstanding changes. There is usually a more subtle result in these patients because they have not aged as much. However, these patients age first in the midface area and are quite happy that something short of a facelift can dramatically improve their problems with sagging in the nose to lip folds and from the mouth to chin folds. Often these patients have used collagen or other fillers (softform, Gore-tex, fat). They have passed the first milestone in the aging process and wish to appear as they did prior to that milestone.