Which technique, high SMAS or lateral SMASectomy, provides the most improvement or lift of the cheeks?

In my opinion, a facelift has its power in improving the "jowl" and neck area.  The cheek may receive some minimal improvement. A direct cheek lift or an implant will give you the most improvement in that area.

Good results can be achieved with either result in the appropriate patient. What is more important than the specific technique is the experience and artistry of the plastic surgeon.
I would suggest your a plastic surgeon be certified by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic
Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with who has all of
the modalities of treatment available. You should discuss your concerns with
that surgeon in person.

Facial rejuvenation needs to be individualized. What would be an ideal approach
for one patient is not necessarily the same for someone else. Based on the
examination and discussion at the consultation, you should have a better
understanding of the various options that can achieve the best cosmetic result
for you.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

This is an excellent forum and each of the participants heretofore have explained the issue perfectly.  THE SMAS is for the lower face, neck and jaw line.  If you lift the corners of your face and neck, not touching the mid cheeks, while looking in the mirror, you will see  a nice oval shape to the face appear.  If, however, you see the chin of the high cheeks look wind swepted, then a SMAS alone will not treat the mid face and upper cheeks. Your surgeons I am sure have assessed the brow, midface, and neck, so that the way they handle the SMAS is not as critical as whether they will move some skin near the nose and mouth as well, if you need it.  If you have a wind swept crease when pulling up on the neck skin toward the ear, then perhaps some midface work,  cheek implants, fat grafts, or suture suspension of the fat pads will be in order.  Also more  cheek lift lifting and direct suspension in front of the ear may be applied. These are the questions you can now ask.Sometimes the recovery from a straight forward lower facial SMAS or SMASectomy may be shorter, so you can recovery faster.  A full comprehensive face lift will address the lateral corners of the brow, midface, cheeks, neck, jaw line, lips and smile but can require more a la carte elements to be added to the operation.  So, the manner by which the SMAS is handled is not the key concern, it is the company the SMAS keeps with regard to other elements of your facial aging.