What is a Cheek Lift?

A cheek lift is an elective cosmetic surgical procedure performed to return fullness to the cheek, lessen deep smile lines extending from the edges of the nose to the corners of the mouth (the nasolabial folds), and raise the outer edge of the eyebrow. These facial enhancements create a youthful appearance. 

Why is a Cheek Lift performed?

Natural aging causes facial muscles to sag, mostly due to the effects of gravity over time. When the cheek sags, it causes a sunken area of the lower eyelid and deepening of the smile lines. A cheek lift helps to correct this muscle sagging and, at the same time, create a youthful fullness to the cheeks, lower eyelids and sides of the mouth.

How is a Cheek Lift performed?

The surgery routinely lasts two to four hours, depending upon the specific technique used. It is minimally invasive and performed on an outpatient basis. Under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes small incisions beneath or inside the lower eyelash line, through the mouth at the canine tooth gum line and/or above the ear within the hairline. There are some cheek lift techniques that can be performed under IV or oral sedation, rather than with general anesthesia. During the surgery, the cheek fat is repositioned along the underlying facial contours to create a youth enhancing fullness. A stitch is secured within each oral incision to catch the cheek pad and secure it under the scalp. Dissolvable sutures are most commonly used.

What is the recovery like?

The most obvious post-operative symptoms are swelling and bruising around the eyes. Elevating the head and applying cold compresses to the eye area for at least three days after surgery will help diminish these symptoms. Immediately after cheek lift surgery, there is often an unnatural smile for a short period of time, until the newly lifted cheek settles into a natural position. Cheek dimpling can also appear post-operatively but disappears over time. Upper lip puckering is also a common occurrence; this can sometimes make drinking difficult until it abates. It is not unusual to experience some aching in the cheeks after surgery, lasting up to several months.

What will the results be like?

The surgical results of a cheek lift offer the patient a youthful appearance. The resulting high cheekbones are tapered toward the chin in the desired symmetrically triangular shape, which creates a new look. The results of a surgical cheek lift last five to ten years.

What are the risks?

There are risks with all surgical procedures--a cheek lift is no exception. While there are potential serious risks associated with anesthesia, blood clots in the leg or lung, and potential blood loss, there are also risks specifically associated with this cosmetic surgery. Most commonly, patients experience sensitivity at the surgical site and surrounding areas. Facial numbness and paralysis can occur; the surgeon should be notified immediately if this occurs. This is usually a temporary condition. As previously mentioned, dimpling in the cheeks can occur but usually disappears during the healing period. Other risks associated with a cheek lift are: infection, a hematoma at the surgical site, hair loss at the incision site and/or partial loss of facial expression.

Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.