Indeed, there are many versions of facelift being promoted and it can be confusing. It is very hard to sort out what is promotion and what are realistic results. First, choose an experienced board-certified surgeon who should show a range of results with before and after pictures. There should be a careful explanation, aided by pictures, of what to expect in terms or extent of improvement, recovery, longevity, and limitations.
A “mini” lift will often give a “mini” result that may not last because it relies on sutures to pull up structures without actually repositioning them. When the sutures pull through or release, the result can be lost, even within months of the procedure. Because some tissues are more mobile than others, this may result in uneven tension, leaving you with an unnatural appearance. There are many mini-lift techniques and, in general, they are best used for small changes or revisions.
A mid-face lift addresses aging changes of the cheeks and nasolabial folds, and may be part of a lower facelift that addresses both the neck and the cheek, or target the cheek alone. Again, there are a variety of techniques.