What Would an Endoscopic Mid-face Lift Correct?

Question

I understand that they place some of the incisions inside the mouth and above the ear. Will this endoscopic mid-face lift help jowls?

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

The best way to understand an endoscopic mid-face lift, which was popularized in the 90's is that is an isolated cheek elevation.  There is no correction of jowls, no correction of the neck, and no removal of excess skin.  Therefore, you might ask why people perform this procedure still?  I ask myself the same question.  A well performed deep plane facelift will elevate the cheeks, contour the jawline/ jowls, and tighten the neck with adequate skin removal and inconspicuous scars.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

A midface lift is designed to lift the malar fat pad (cheek pad or tissues of the midface) to a higher position.  It does not impact the jowl area or the neck.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

The jowls may be helped with a midface lift done endoscopically. However, you may need some aspect of a regular facelift that actually removes excess skin and allows access to the tissues underlying the jowls so that the jowls can be maximally lifted. Check out some before and after photos of facelifts to be sure that you're comfortable with your choice of procedures. Good luck!

Houtan Chaboki, MD · Answer

As others have already pointed out, a mid-face lift does not address the lower face or jowls. A traditional face lift, or variation, will help treat the jowl area and neck.
Mid-face plastic surgery helps rejuvenate the nasolabial fold, midface volume loss, and tear-trough deformity, and nasojugal fold of aging. The mid-face is the cheek area from the lower eyelid to the lower jaw. As with other facial areas, there is loss of volume and sagging tissue in the mid-face which results in an aged appearance.
The mid-face may be treated non-surgically with injectable fillers. Plastic surgery for the mid-face typically involves incisions inside the mouth and in the scalp, to pull up sagging tissue. An endoscope (small camera) may be used during surgery to minimize incision size. Alternatively, a cheek implant may be used to augment the cheek for midface rejuvenation.
Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a plastic surgeon determine the most appropriate option for you. Best of luck.

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

An endoscopic mid face lift is designed to specifically address your cheeks, nasolabial folds, and to some degree, the area below your eyes. It is an effective procedure under the proper circumstances, but, the procedure does have potential complications you will need to ask your surgeon about. Unfortunately, the lower face (jowls) will not be modified by mid face procedures and you will need a mini or full facelift for these areas.

Amir M. Karam, MD · Answer

The endoscopic midface lift is designed to reposition and lift the soft tissues of the cheek back up toward the cheek bone. This helps to soften the nasolabial folds. However, to improve the jowls and neck, a facelift is required. Some facelift techniques will correct the mid face and lower face in the same operation without the need for a endoscopic midface lift. Also, it is important to note that in many cases volume augmentation (fat transfer) is required to restore the mid face contour in a natural way.

Ricardo L. Rodriguez, MD · Answer

The mid face lift is designed to rejuvenate the area under the eyes, the cheeks, and the upper lip.
Advantages:

Adresses an area not touched by the typical facelift
No noticeable scars
Most people look at your eyes, not your jowls

Disadvantages:

Doesn't do much for the jowls
Doesn't do anything for the brows and upper eyelids, which people do look at.

Alternatives:

Fat transfer to the midface.
Endoscopic midfacelift works best in conjunction with an endoscopic forehead lift.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Endoscopic midface lift will re-suspend the cheeks up to a higher position, which will only minimally help the jowls. Jowls are best addressed through comprehensive face/neck lift, which addresses both the jowls of the neck, excess fat above and below the platysma muscle. A face/neck lift also involves tightening of the platysma muscle in the front and the back portion of the neck, and in front of the zygomatic arch along the cheekbone.

Sam P. Most, MD · Answer

As an experienced endoscopic mid-face lift surgeon, I can say that in most cases it does not affect the jowl area. The primary areas affected are the periorbital (around the eye) and cheek areas.

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

Ah, I love to hear of surgeons trying to make something simple really difficult.  Okay a midface lift is very straightforward via many different incisions.  Using endoscopic equipment turns a simple operation into a technology cumbersome exercise.  But I digress.  The simple answer is no, a midface lift will not adequately correct jowling.
Jowling is due to descent of the SMAS or superficial muscular aponeurotic system.  This is a relatively superficial layer of tissue under the skin.  A midface lift moves the deepest facial tissues up.  The SMAS will initially move up with it but shortly after surgery will return to its presurgical level.
The only way to really correct jowling is, in my opinion, an extended SMAS elevation facelift.

What Would an Endoscopic Mid-face Lift Correct?

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