Midface lift to address my sagging cheeks and folds around my nose and my mid face (I am 51)? (photo)

this is a common question. More photos as would help. Facelifts treat the lower chef and neck. Mid facelifts treat the upper cheek and nasolabial crease.

I recommend fillers to soften the nasolabial folds themselves and also lift around the mouth and cheeks to build underlying anatomical support. In our practice we combine Sculptra with other fillers "layered" on top and lasers, skin tightening treatments such as Thermage, Fractora, and Renuvion (J Plasma), thread lifting, and peels to get the most conservative, natural look. I suggest seeing a facial sculpting expert for a formal consultation. Best, Dr. Emer

Hello elleCheek implants are available in a range of different shapes and sizes, they are mostly customized to fit a specific facial structure. 

A midface lift differs from a traditional facelift as it can improve the nasolabial folds by repositioning the malar fat pad which descends with age. You may benefit from this procedure. Your best option would be to seek a consultation with a board certified surgeon who has expertise in this procedure.

First, you look great at 51. You appear to have a very nice jawline and full cheeks. I di see that you have naso-labial folds, but you need to be careful about how you address this area.A simultaneous, adjacent change with aging is an increase in fat volume in the anterior lower cheek, immediately above the nasolabial folds. This creates a heavy appearance in the lower cheek and deepens the nasolabial folds. The increase in anterior lower cheek fullness creates a situation where no amount of fat grafting in the nasolabial folds will actually improve the appearance of the nasolabial folds, unless some of the excess fat is simultaneously removed from the area immediately above. If one tries to improve this by fat grafting alone, then you unfortunately end up with a big lump at and above the nasolabial folds.It is impossible to provide a totally accurate assessment based just on these few photos. Ideally, I would see a patient in person, and I would ask that they bring with them pictures of themselves from years pastI would like an in-person consultation, or at least more photos before providing a surgical plan, but I would not recommend filling the nasolabial folds without addressing the cheek area.

The primary goals of a facelift include lifting the jowls, tightening up facial and neck muscles, removing fat in the neck, and tightening facial and neck laxity. For many examples of face lifting results please see our facelift photo gallery link below.

Your midface options include either some form of a midface lift or malar shell implants. (since you have excluded fillers which I assume also means fat) Midface lifts can lift sagging cheek tissues but there are risks of lower eyelid scars and corner of the eye deformities and a more extensive surgery. The right type of cheek implant (submalar vs shell) provides a lift by volume enhancement and is less extensive of a procedure but it does involve an implant. Either midface approach has its advantages and disadvantages and is far more technically sensitive than many facelifts for example. You need to be well educated and to choose a surgeon who has a lot of experience with both midface approaches.

A thorough consultation is needed to understand your concerns regarding the aging face, and what bothers you most, and what you want to achieve. After evaluation of the face the plastic surgeon (Board Certified Plastic Surgeon ) By the American Board Of Plastic Surgery) will be able to discuss all your options. Samir Shureih MD. FACSsshureih@msn.com