Best face lift/procedure for malar crescents? My surgeon told me a SMAS lift would work. Is he right?

This type of a question is very difficult to answer without pictures.  Most likely you would need more than just a facelift to correct true malar bags

A photo would be very helpful to see the extent of your problem.  True malar bags or festoons are difficult to treat and fully correct.  A SMAS facelift may improve their appearance but additional procedures on the lower eyelid would likely be needed to maximize this improvement.

True malar crescents, or malar bags are difficult to fully eradicate.  However, in my experience, the best strategy for patients with this problem is a SMAS based facelift combined with a lower lid Blepharoplasty/ cheek elevation.  It is important to understand that the majority of Facelifts in this country are performed with manipulation of the SMAS.  The degree of SMAS manipulation and the experience of the Surgeon are the two most important factors in the type and longevity of the result you will receive.  In my opinion, techniques that allow for SMAS imbrication (lifting and resetting of the SMAS) yield superior results to SMAS plications (suture tightening of the undisturbed SMAS layer).