Mid-face Lift vs. Cheek and Chin Implants

Each operation does something different.

Augmentation of the cheeks can be accomplished with implants, or with the patient's own tissues.

Reduction in the buccal fat pad can be accomplished through the mouth.  It is very effective for patients with "chipmunk cheeks".

Cheeklifts (and there are many different types) help the lower eyelid and cheekpad position, as well as the eye-cheek junction, depending on the technique (and the surgeon).

Facelifts which employ the high SMAS technique reconstitute the lateral cheek well.  Conventional SMAS facelifts do not.

Below are referenced various articles we have written on cheeklifts and midface lifts.

It is very difficult to answer your question without seeing your pictures – but based on your description you appear to be a good candidate for a chin implant and cheek implants.  

Buccal fat removal will at times help with the chubby cheeks, such as in the link below

See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for a facelift consultation.  I would put the implants down the list as options to consider.  They can be effective in the short term, but in the long term, they can cause some bone erosion as I have witnessed on many occasions.

I would consider re-inflation of your cheeks with volume (filler) or implant over a mid or face lift at this point.  One has to determine if you problem is more of a bone or soft tissue deficit or both.  In your case, a detailed exam is critical to determine options.  Find someone you trust and whose results you admire.  Good luck! 

The southward progression of your cheeks may be an illusion actually resulting from volume loss in areas above the areas of descent.  A thorough evaluation to evaluate your particular aging progression is necessary.  Many options exist to treat the aging midface, from fillers to fat grafting to midfacelifting to cheek implants.  I think you will find that very simple and minimally invasive solutions will suffice for the treatment of much of your issues and can certainly postpone a full facelift.

You pose a very good dilemma, but it's hard to make an assessment without actually examining you.  A midface lift is great for restoring volume to your cheekbones, but you're limited to the skin and fat that already exists on your face.  Cheek implants are great as they can add extra volume in addition to what you already have.  Either way, they are both proven ways to restore lost volume to the cheeks for facial rejuvenation and they are safe procedure performed in an outpatient setting.