Mid Facelift FAQ

Many plastic surgeons have trademarked or branded their facelift techniques, but in reality these names are just for marketing. The best facelift surgeons tailor each surgery to the specific needs of each patient without any specific branded name. One facelift is not necessarily better than another. Be cautious when speaking to a branded or trademarked cosmetic surgeon. Keep in mind that safe and reliable facelift techniques are used by the entire community of plastic surgeons and are not associated with trademarked or branded names.

Mid facelift candidates generally have some of the following qualities, but circumstances may vary for each person:

• Good general health
• Over 40 years old
• Flat or sunken cheeks
• Loss of facial volume in mid facial area
• Time for recovery after surgery

As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chaboki will tailor the mid facelift as appropriate for you. The mid facelift is customized to your degree of facial aging, underlying anatomy, and most importantly your personal goals. Some patients require a limited or mini lift, while other patients would benefit from a more extensive lift. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can we help determine appropriate options for you.

The incisions are hidden in the contours of the face. Incisions may be placed in the lower eyelid, inside the mouth, in front of the ear, or on the side of the head. The location of the incisions is based on the specific cheek lift procedure appropriate for you.

Mid facelift surgery may be performed via incision in the lower eyelid, inside the mouth, in front of the ear, or from the side of the head. Minor wrinkles may be corrected with incisions hidden around the lower eyelid. Patients with more moderate sagging of the cheek often benefit from a sub-periosteal type of mid facelift, with incisions hidden within the hair of the scalp. Alternatively, a mid facelift may be combined with a facelift to help address the middle and lower facial areas.

The mid face refers to the middle part of the face, which includes the lower eyelids and cheek areas. The mid face commonly loses fat volume with age, resulting in lower eyelid bags and sunken cheeks.

After a mid facelift, you should look better than nature intended for the remainder of your life. The aging process continues, however, so wrinkles and sagging skin will reappear years after facial surgery. You should look better than if you had not had the procedure in the first place.

Dr. Chaboki provides the finest in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery at affordable prices, and participates with most insurance plans. Plastic surgery covers a broad area of medicine, which includes both reconstructive procedures and cosmetic procedures. If your procedure is medically indicated, some portion of the cost may be covered. The office accepts insurance in applicable cases and will, if you wish, contact your insurance company to find out if your procedure will be covered. Insurance coverage varies greatly between patients; however, plastic surgery may be partially or fully covered.

Generally, a minimum of 2 weeks are allowed from the consultation to prepare for surgery. Select procedures may be performed earlier. Nonsurgical procedures may be performed at the same time as the initial consultation.

Yes, it’s generally preferred to combine procedures. First, by combining surgery, insurance may cover a portion of the procedure, and you may save money on fees. Secondly, tissue modified from one area may be used for another surgical area. Lastly, the recovery process following surgery would only be once, and you minimize downtime by avoiding two separate procedures. Procedures commonly combined with a mid facelift include the following:

• Upper Eyelid Surgery
• Facelift
• Fat Transfer
• BOTOX® Cosmetic

Strenuous activities or exercise after plastic surgery will increase the risk of bleeding, swelling, and bruising, until an appropriate amount of healing time has been allowed. This restriction during the recovery period varies based on the operation performed and patient’s medical condition. Light activities, such as slow walking, may (and should) be performed soon after anesthesia has worn off. Heavy activity, such as aerobics, yoga, cycling, running, heavy lifting, or similar vigorous activities are allowed after 2 weeks. Contact sports are generally allowed 6 weeks after surgery.

Most patients plan approximately 1 to 2 weeks off from work. A longer period of recovery may be necessary for combined procedures. Many patients feel “restaurant ready” within 1 to 2 weeks.

Surgical mid facelifts vary depending on the specific needs of the patient and surgery. Lower eyelid surgery, cheek implant, or cheek lift surgery normally takes about an hour, while traditional full facelifts may take a few hours of precision surgery.

Dr. Chaboki performs a complete history and physical on all patients prior to undergoing cosmetic treatments. Facelift surgery may usually be performed safely on patients with chronic, stable medical conditions. However, the surgery may be delayed or cancelled as needed for patient safety. Dr. Chaboki will work with his cosmetic patients to help find a safe, appropriate plastic surgery option for them.

Smoking adversely affects your recovery. One may develop pneumonia, and treated areas don’t heal as well or may become infected. The blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the tissues shrink up and prevent the necessary healing of the area. Patients must stop smoking for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to surgery to decrease the risk of these complications, and continue smoking cessation after the procedure.

Downtime after cosmetic procedures may be a few hours to several days, depending on the specific procedure and areas treated. Office procedures are performed under local anesthesia, if any anesthesia is required. Surgical procedures are performed with either IV (twilight) sedation or general anesthesia and require a longer recovery period. Anesthesia normally wears off within the first 24 hours after surgery.

The immediate recovery from your cheek lift varies and normally takes anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks before you feel “restaurant ready.” During this initial recovery period you will experience some temporary swelling and bruising. Most patients describe tight or pressure sensation with mild discomfort, which is easily managed with pain medication.

Mid facelift surgery is normally performed with either IV (twilight) sedation or general anesthesia at accredited facilities with a licensed anesthetist. Patients are safe and comfortable during the procedure.

Dr. Chaboki practices facial plastic surgery at several DC area surgical facilities to accommodate his patients. Minor procedures with local anesthesia are performed in the DC office. Surgical procedures with IV (twilight) sedation or general anesthesia are performed at accredited facilities with a licensed anesthetist.

• Georgetown University Medical Center
• MedStar Surgery Center

Nonsurgical facelifts with injectable treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and facial fillers (such as Restylane®) are performed in the office via local anesthesia.

Each mid facelift procedure is priced individually and dependent on a number of factors, including the details of the surgery and where it’s performed. Most mid facelift surgeries range in price between $5,000 and $20,000. *