Endotine Midface Lift: Preventative or Corrective Procedure?

I'm in my 20s but am already beginning to notice the signs of sagging in my face. Unfortunately, I was genetically saddled with a lot of fat in my cheeks and a good portion of it is going down, down... So my question is, can an endotine midface lift be considered a preventative procedure as well as a corrective one? That is, if I have one performed now, will I have offset some of the aging I would otherwise accrue through my late 20s, etc.? (Side question: how many facelifts can one get in one's life and still look fairly normal/decent? For sure very few people get facelifts in their 20s, but since it's only a ribbon lift and it's not as invasive, I feel okay with getting one at this point. However, if this means I can't get more extensive facelifts in the future, then I would obviously opt to wait. Thanks so much!)

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by youngrace in la, ca, usa

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (0)

Don't do surgery too early

Especially with Asian patients, elevation up and to the side of the face (the direction of pull with the Endotine) can cause increase in the distance between the cheeks, the intermalar distance. This can cause a flattened appearance to the face. In general with plastic surgery, it is a bad idea to perform surgery for a "preventative" reason. Surgery has many minuses with it (scars, cost, potential complications or alteration in appearance) and should be done only when an actual... more

Don't have Endotine Midface lift!

I join in agreement with my colleagues in discouraging you from undergoing this procedure. I have seen 10 year old children having the appearance of a "falling cheek", does that mean they should undergo a ribbon lift? Any surgery carries risk. With that risk comes a judgement of whether the risks are worth the benefits. Clearly, we as professionals, concur that the risk (given the relatively minor problem you complain of) is not worth it. How would you feel if one cheek settled... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

You've heard "too little, too late"...

how about "too much, too early." Youngrace, you are a beautiful, young woman with no signs of facial aging. Additionally, you are obviously an intelligent, forward thinking individual. Too often in today's society too much emphasis is placed on staying youthful, which is ok, until it is taken to the extreme. Enjoy your twenties. You look great and cosmetic facial rejuvenation surgery should be the last thing on your mind right now.

Endotine facelift in 20's

First, in your 20's I doubt very highly that you need anything done. WIth that said, I don't like the endotine facelifts. I don't think they last very long. Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Best to wait

At age 20 you are too young to have any drooping in the face, and I would not recommend an Endotine Midface-lift. The Endotine is a dissolvable device. Most patients have one facelift in their 50s and maybe a second one in their 60s. Rarely do patients ever have more than three facelifts in their entire lifetime. Wait until you are at least into your late 40s before embarking on any cheek procedure.

Don't consider any procedure "only minor"

YoungRace, Having a face procedure which is minimally invasive, such as an entotine, should not be taken lightly. However, based on your pictures, it may be helpful. One cannot tell for sure without examining you in person. As for the number of facelifts or facial procedures one can have during their lifetime is not a number set in stone. Just make sure that you are seeing someone who is qualified and has extensive training and experience in aesthetic surgery of the face. I hope you... more