Terrified After Midface Lift - Now I Have a "Moon Face."

Question

I recently had about 4-5 procedures performed seven weeks ago. One of the procedures was a midface lift.I am 29 years old and i had chubby cheeks even before surgery.Unfortunately i also had fat pads (i guessthe malar fat pad )on each side of my nose that kind of hung and dragged down my midface area. The doctore suggested i do a midfacelift along with the other procedures i was doing. Now my whole cheek upper mid and lower is full.I look like i am on steroids with a moon face.Can this be fixed?

Ritu Chopra, MD · Answer

Essentially everyone will swell after a facial procedure. You are way to early to comment on your final result. That being said in my humble opinion a mid face lift with 5 over the procedures may be a little much in a 29 year old. Clearly pre-op and post op pictures would illuminate your predicament. The key at this point is to be patient and have an open dialog with your surgeon. Good luck hope this helps!

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

7weeks is still relatively early in healing process after your surgery - especially after a midface lift.    Be patient and continue to follow up with your surgeon as directed.

John Philip Connors III, MD · Answer

Hello Gatorgirl29-

	As others have stated in their posts, 4-5 facial procedures in a 29 year old is, depending of course on exactly what was done and the extent at which it was performed, quite an aggressive surgical strategy. Photos do help us, but a description of other procedures also may help....in any event, swelling could very well be, and most likely is the culprit here. Time is on your side; speak with your surgeon about their thoughts on your swelling and progression towards recovery. If you are not satisfied, and this may be difficult on a number of levels, but inquire as to whether another plastic surgeon in town would be willing to take a look at you and review your case...I am not honestly a huge fan of doctor "shopping" immediately after a procedure thought; too many cooks in the kitchen can cause you a bigger headache with your recovery...you obviously trusted your surgeon, have him or her coach you along the recovery process.

	Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you more!

	Dr. C

	johnconnorsmd.com

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Without pictures, it is very difficult to make a determination. However, I do have several observation: 1) Mid-face lift in an individual with "chubby cheeks" is generally not a great procedure, 2) Mid-face lift at age 29 is unusual, 3) Isolated mid-face lifts tend to be limited in their outcome, 4) Certain approaches to the Mid-face tend to be associated with prolonged swelling.

Jason Hess, MD · Answer

It is unusual to undergo a midfacelift at age 29, but if it was necessary, so be it. Swelling from this type of procedure may last up to 6 months, so don't loose faith in your doctor just yet. Keep close follow up. Be patient. If you post a picture with your eyes blacked out to obscure you identity, a more thorough evaluation may be possible.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Mid-face lift swelling can last a long time. Typically subperiposteal lift swelling can last for several months.

Kevin Sadati, DO · Answer

Dear patient,

you are too young to have that many procedures done on you, especially a mid facelift. I need to see your photo to better evaluate your facial features. Are all other procedures you're mentioning were also performed on your face as well? It seems you have a prolonged swelling. Talk to your surgeon.

David Q. Santos, MD · Answer

Reversal of lift procedures is uncommon but does occur. Forehead lifting, as an example, when performed too high, can be reversed to a moderate degree. Less invasive procedures could be tried in a conservative fashion first; these would include small canula liposuction or laser lipolysis in a very conservative manner. If this does not achieve the desired benefit, then surgical treatment could provide reduction of the asymmetry component, as well as the high cheek component. Of course this depends on the specific anatomy and a direct examination is required before coming up with a good game plan. Nonetheless, this is an uncommon request but not one that could not be improved upon one way or the other.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

At 7 weeks you may still have significant swelling that usually gets better over time.  29 is a bit young to have had a midface lift, but some patients do age early for a number of reasons.

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

I am a little confused why you had to have so much surgery at age 29. Be that as it may swelling can play a role for several weeks after surgery. It would be useful to have before and after photos for comparison.

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