I'm considering a facelift at 40. Is it true that a traditional facelift won't correct cheek sagging?

If a facelift includes temporal incision and dissection to words the cheek and zygoma it will certainly help with the cheek sagging as well.  In most cases it will give an adequate result and he do not need any other procedures.  However, if somebody has lack of volume in the cheek area a cheek implants make a big difference one done along with a facelift.RegardsDr. J

It is true that the "traditional facelift" does not address the sagging cheeks. However there are many different techniques to address this problem and can be performed with a traditional facelift. 

Without an in person exam, it's impossible to say what the right course of action would be. I would suggest that you seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area (link below) to discuss options. There may be facelift techniques that would help with your mid-face descent or perhaps a combination of a facelift with fat grafting or fillers. Hope this helps, Dr. Nazarian

A facelift of any kind needs to be properly executed. Release of the retaining ligaments along the cheekbone as well as the jaw will permit excellent repositioning of the soft tissues of the upper face. A conventional full facelift also takes care of the neck all the way down to the clavicle.

That is correct.  A facelift does not treat the cheeks/midface but has most if its power in the jowls and neck.  Your options for your mid face would be a mid face lift, fillers or a cheek implant.  In my practice, I prefer cheek implants and/or fillers.  Please seek a personal consultation and exam with a board certified plastic surgeon.

There are many different options to provide cheek lift and enhancement. Most of cheek sagging is due to loss of cheek volume (fat) rather then true descend (sagging). In patient of your age volume enhancement with fat grafting, fillers or cheek augmentation with implants may be an option. Patient of Asian origin frequently have small, hypoplastic cheek bones and they present flat, concave cheeks sooner then those with normally developed cheek structures.You should seek a consultation with board certified plastic surgeon in your area for detailed evaluation and discussion. Good luck.  

Facelift procedures can be designed to correct a variety of issues including sagging of the jowls and neck, elevation of descended midface tissue and even improvement of the contour of the lower eyelids.  If there is substantial loss of volume in the midface it may require volume enhancement with fillers, fat transfer or implants.  Evaluation of the best facial rejuvenation approach is a very individualized process and I suggest consulting with a surgeon broadly experienced in facial rejuvenation to determine what is the best approach for you.

Comtemporary full face and neck lift procedures should address jowling, lower face descent and neck laxity the most. Midface rejuvenation is also achieved - but the upper middave and tear trough I feel are best improved with fat micrografting

There are many techniques for facelift. Some perform better than others with regards to the midface. It is true in general that the action of a facelift tends to be best on jowls and the neck. The midface, meaning the inner cheek region, tends to be lifted only slightly. The trend in plastic surgery is to restore volume in this area, probably most often used is fat transfer to the mid-cheek at the time of facelift although implants can also be used. This achieves the goal of restoring the volume that one loses as one's face ages and it also changes the contour to a more lifted appearance.

You are correct that the cheeks would not be improved dramatically by a lower facelift/ necklift procedure. At 40 years old, a small amount of volume replacement in the cheeks can go a long way. This might be an option for you either by itself or in combination with a lift. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

A "traditional" facelift tends not to alter the mid-face significantly, you are correct; however, if the incisions are extended into the temple, one can still achieve some lift to the lateral mid-face. A nice combination is to perform a fat transfer or insert a cheek implant to improve mid-face volume at the same time as a facelift. Otherwise, there are separate mid-face lift techniques.I recommend you consult with an experienced facelift surgeon (facial plastic or plastic surgeon) so you can have an in-person examination. Choosing what is best for you depends on your unique facial anatomy, degree of aging, and the experience of the surgeon. Good luck!