Midface Lift for Someone with Chubby Cheeks?

for considered comment. It is unlikely a 4th opinion will differ hugely from the body of opinion you have already sought!

If you want a more directed answer, consider posting with your photograph.  I would be very careful about anyone "defatting" your cheeks.  A well meaning surgeon might actually try to do what you are asking.  The aesthetic results are likely to be a problem. I would proceed with extreme caution.

     That may be appropriate, but it is very hard to evaluate you with a description alone.   An exam or photos would be indicated to help address your issues.  Just from your description, your consultants seem to be telling you the same thing.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

A true midface lift is designed to resuspend the malar fat pad in individuals that have experienced signficant sagging of the cheek mound.  The most predicatable, powerful and enduring results are achieved using a dual approach from both the temple and from the mouth.  Dissection is performed at the bone level to widely release the cheek mound from its bony attachments.  The cheek mound is then resuspended in the most vertical direction possible using the deep temporalis fascia as an anchor point. 

The midface lift is not suitable in all individuals and from what you describe this may the case with you.  Photos would be very helpful.

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC.

By your descriprtion and consultations, you have raised a good question. Would defatting alone be helpful, would a cheeklift be helpful, or would some combination be best? This is where photos can be enormously useful as I have found that patient's description of 'chubby cheeks' can be highly variable with slightly different facial locations. I would also not completely disregard facial implant augmentation, it is just that the traditional shape of cheek implants may not be best... not that some underlying augmentation may not be helpful in combination with a lift.