Hello, I am a 30 year old woman who has had hereditary, heavy cheek tissue her whole life. It has started to sag and worsen my nasolabial lines and my mid-face. I am under weight and have tried multiple treatments like buccal fat removal, threadlifts and filler - none of which have helped to address my issue. Is my only option to get a facelift either endoscopic mid-face lift, high SMAS cheek lift, sub perioral mid-face lift or another type?
February 24, 2025
Answer: Sagging cheeks In younger patients with sagging cheeks, I would offer first Sofwave nonsurgical skin tightening device. Previous cheek filler should be dissolved. A cheek lift or mini-facelift will lift and restore cheek contour plus soften the nasolabial fold. With endoscopic subperiosteal facelifts there tends to be prolonged swelling.
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February 24, 2025
Answer: Sagging cheeks In younger patients with sagging cheeks, I would offer first Sofwave nonsurgical skin tightening device. Previous cheek filler should be dissolved. A cheek lift or mini-facelift will lift and restore cheek contour plus soften the nasolabial fold. With endoscopic subperiosteal facelifts there tends to be prolonged swelling.
Helpful
February 24, 2025
Answer: Facelift for heavy cheeks First of all you have beautiful skin and excellent skin quality. You stated that you have hereditary heavy cheeks, and you are starting to see deepening of your NL folds. It is possible that your use of fillers in your cheeks is heading to worsening of the weight in your cheeks. HA fillers are like sponges and can hold on to fluid while also migrating through the soft tissues. You may consider having your fillers dissolved to see if that unweights your cheeks. Deep plane face lifting approaches are very powerful and allow for direct contouring of the soft tissues, tightening of the fascial system of the face and neck. You are a younger patient, and it is a personal decision if you are ready for this approach this early on. I would counsel considering investing first in non-surgical tightening with Sofwave to stimulate collagen and elastin after dissolving out your fillers. If you still want more at that point, you can feel comfortable pursuing facelifting procedures with an experienced surgeon in these techniques. Many facelift surgeon will want the fillers dissolved out before surgery too. You may be surprised how much slimmer your face is after removing fillers that may be causing cheek distortion.
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February 24, 2025
Answer: Facelift for heavy cheeks First of all you have beautiful skin and excellent skin quality. You stated that you have hereditary heavy cheeks, and you are starting to see deepening of your NL folds. It is possible that your use of fillers in your cheeks is heading to worsening of the weight in your cheeks. HA fillers are like sponges and can hold on to fluid while also migrating through the soft tissues. You may consider having your fillers dissolved to see if that unweights your cheeks. Deep plane face lifting approaches are very powerful and allow for direct contouring of the soft tissues, tightening of the fascial system of the face and neck. You are a younger patient, and it is a personal decision if you are ready for this approach this early on. I would counsel considering investing first in non-surgical tightening with Sofwave to stimulate collagen and elastin after dissolving out your fillers. If you still want more at that point, you can feel comfortable pursuing facelifting procedures with an experienced surgeon in these techniques. Many facelift surgeon will want the fillers dissolved out before surgery too. You may be surprised how much slimmer your face is after removing fillers that may be causing cheek distortion.
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