Considering a facelift at 34 for drooping cheeks. Am I a good candidate?

Question

always had drooping cheeks that give me a downward expression & noticing sagging in the mid and lower dace. Am I a good candidate?

Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It looks like you would be a good candidate for cosmetic rejuvenation procedure.  You have some early jowls and just enough cheek sagging to make it noticeable on the pictures.  At this stage of aging process a mini facelift would be a very effective option.  It will restore youthful jawline and improve the contour of your cheeks.  Take a look at the attached video to determine weather you are a good candidate for a mini facelift.
Best wishes!
Dr. Konstantin

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

While 34 is young for a facelift I have done several on patients in their mid thirties for cheek drooping with gratifying results.  I do think that a deep plane approach is critical to get meaningful improvement in the midface.  An in person consultation would be necessary to explore all your options. Less invasive procedures can also help in many cases.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

A Mini Facelift or Midface Lift can usually be an option on most realistic patients anytime after the age of 35-40. It really depends on your anatomy and genetics. It is best to talk to your surgeon because everybody has different techniques and recovery time is usually based on a number of factors but there's no set number on age. Sometimes even younger people are candidates because of their anatomy or if they have gone through certain medical conditions.

If we are just talking about a short scar facelift, this can typically be done in the office under local anesthesia. Usually there are no drains, no outside stitches, and patients can go out in public the same day, although I usually recommend they low for the first couple days. Most of the initial swelling is from the numbing medicine and your body absorbs it within the first 4-6 hours. Obviously the body heals with swelling and inflammation and usually that maxes out at two days and then starts getting better. Most of these patients take no pain medicine and usually feel very comfortable going out in public within a few days.  I usually call my patients the night of surgery and check on them the next day. If everything is fine the next day, I then let them shower and they do not need a dressing over their incisions. They can usually start using makeup after a few days.  At the two week check up, I usually have people start working out and then after six weeks they can do whatever they want.

I strongly feel that it's very important to have an honest conversation with your surgeon about your particular situation, lifestyle, work environment and specifically which procedures you're having done so that you both have the most honest answer about your recovery and are realistic with expectations and results.

Surgery is not for everyone. In today's day and age, there are many nonsurgical options to consider although surgery usually gets the most improvement specifically of the jowls.

I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of facelifts but also offers all the nonsurgical options such as injectables and laser treatments. Go over your concerns with them and make sure above all, you walk out of there with several options and an idea of the pros and cons to each of them as well as realistic expectations.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

As a general rule, 34 is too young to consider a surgical facelift. I would probably recommend starting with some well-placed filler in the midface to add lift and volume to this area. While this is not a surgical procedure, it does require skill and precision to produce the best possible result. I recommend scheduling an assessment with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon for further evaluation and a customized treatment plan.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question! I don't think that a facelift is an appropriate procedure at your age and with your situation. A lot can be achieved with hyaluronic acids and good skin care (lasers, products,etc). I would suggest starting there. Good luck!

Edwin F. Williams, III, MD · Answer

A facelift is going to have a more pronounced effect on your neck and lower face. Certain facelift techniques will have a significant effect on the midface, however based on your picture provided, I would consider adding volume in certain regions with either fillers or autologous fat grafting. Best of luck!

Steven H. Wiener, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo.  It is difficult to determine what you need with only one photo and no profile view. I think you are too young for a facelift, and may possibly benefit with fillers to lift your jowls. Be patient with undergoing a facelift.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It is very hard to give you meaningful advice based on this limited photo. Only on the basis of in person evaluation one could give you a more detailed plan of care. Good luck.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

You should try fillers in the chin area and smile lines and that will rejuvenate your face. 
Regards
Dr. J

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

In this world, that does not mean that you could not get a facelift. Someone will take your money. As I look at your very full cheeks, I wonder if what your filler history is? Your lower cheeks right down to your jaw line look very full and that is consistent with accumulating hyaluronic acid filler in the face. Often these changes occur gradually and we do not even recognize, let alone understand, the change that takes place. If you do have a history of hyaluronic acid fillers to the cheeks, the answer for you is not surgery, it the removal of all your old hyaluronic acid filler to remove the filler that is distorting your face and making you think you need a facelift.