What is a Cheek Lift?

A cheek lift, which doctors also call a midface lift, is a type of cosmetic surgery that smooths and raises your cheekbones and the areas around them. It focuses on the high cheekbones and the area under your lower eyelids, which can become flat or saggy as you get older. While a standard facelift focuses on the neck and the bottom half of the face, a cheek lift specifically targets the middle section of your face.

Plastic surgeons are the doctors who perform these procedures. Sometimes, a doctor will use a tiny camera called an endoscope to help them see during the surgery. If they use this tool, they might call the treatment an endoscopic cheek lift or an endoscopic midface lift.

What is the purpose of a cheek lift?

If you want your face to look smoother and more youthful, you might consider a cheek lift. This procedure lifts your smile lines (the folds of skin that run from the corners of your mouth to the sides of your nose) and makes your cheekbones look more defined and prominent.

A cheek lift is one of the best ways to fix signs of aging in the middle of the face. However, it does not fix sagging around the jawline (jowls) or the neck. It also does not fix heavy eyebrows or sagging upper eyelids. Those areas require different types of surgery.

Who would benefit from a cheek lift?

A doctor will check to see if you are a good candidate for a cheek lift based on these points:

  • Your cheeks are starting to sag or look heavy.
  • The skin under your eyes looks hollow or loose.
  • You are in good physical health and do not have medical conditions that make it hard for your body to heal.
  • You can stop smoking for at least 12 weeks (usually six weeks before the surgery and six weeks after).
  • You have realistic goals about what the surgery can do.

Choosing to have a cheek lift is a very personal choice. Doing something to reach your personal goals for your body can feel empowering. However, you should make this choice for yourself and not because someone else is pressuring you to change your look.

What is the frequency of cheek lifts?

Cheek lifts are very common and popular treatments. Most people decide to have this operation when they are in their 40s or 50s.

In what ways can I get ready for a cheek lift?

It is very important to find a highly skilled plastic surgeon who is board-certified before you have your procedure. Before you decide to go through with it, you should ask your doctor these questions:

  • Are you certified by the proper medical boards?
  • Is the location where you perform surgery officially accredited?
  • Do you have permission to perform surgeries at a local hospital?
  • What kind of training does your surgical team have?
  • How many cheek lifts have you performed in your career?
  • What would you do if there was an emergency during my surgery?

Once you find a qualified doctor, they will talk to you about the mental and social reasons why you want to change your appearance. They may ask:

  • Why do you want a cheek lift?
  • What results are you hoping to see?
  • Have you ever had plastic surgery before?
  • Is a spouse, partner, or friend the one asking you to get this done?

Your doctor will also give you a physical exam to check your health. They will talk about your medical history and anything that might change how the surgery works out.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies. Mention every medicine you take, including vitamins and herbal supplements. Some items like aspirin or anti-inflammatory pills can make you bleed more during surgery. Your doctor might ask you to change your medications to get ready for the procedure, but never change your medicine without your doctor’s permission.

Are cheek lifts compatible with other procedures?

Yes, you can combine a cheek lift with other surgeries. You should talk to your doctor about the specific look you want. They can help you decide which combination of treatments will give you the best results with the shortest recovery time. Common surgeries often paired with a cheek lift include:

  • A full facelift.
  • A neck lift.
  • A brow lift.
  • Eyelid surgery.

What takes place when you elevate your cheeks?

During the surgery, the doctor will tighten the skin around your cheeks and move the fat pads in your cheeks back to a higher, more youthful position.

Before the surgery begins, you will receive medicine so you do not feel pain. There are usually two choices:

  1. General Anesthesia: A special doctor called an anesthesiologist gives you medicine that puts you into a deep sleep. You will not be awake or aware of anything.
  2. Conscious Sedation: You are given medicine to stop the pain and a sedative to make you feel very relaxed. You might be awake and aware of your surroundings, but you likely will not be able to talk.

After the medicine takes effect, the doctor will make a small cut (incision). They may use a tiny camera (endoscope) to see inside your cheek. They will use long surgical tools to lift your fat pads and use internal stitches to hold everything in place.

Where are the cheek lift incisions made?

The doctor will choose where to make the cuts based on the shape of your face. They might make the cut near the surface of the skin or deeper near the membrane of the facial bones.

Common places for these cuts include:

  • Facelift cut: Around the ears, along the hairline, or under the chin.
  • Eyelid cut: Just below the line of your lower eyelashes.
  • Oral cut: Inside the mouth.
  • Temple cut: In the skin between your ear and your forehead.

Each type of cut has its own benefits. Your doctor will talk to you about which one is best for your face.

What is the duration of a cheek lift?

The time it takes depends on the method the doctor uses and where the cuts are made. Most cheek lift surgeries take about two hours to finish.

After a cheek lift, what happens?

When the surgery is done, the doctor will put bandages over your wounds. They might also place a small tube near your ears to drain any extra fluid or blood.

You will go to a recovery room where the medical staff will watch you closely until the medicine wears off and you wake up. Once the doctor decides you are stable and no longer need constant monitoring, you can go home.

Because the medicine makes you feel sleepy and unsteady, you must have someone else drive you home. You also need someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours to look after you.

Before you leave, your doctor will give you very specific instructions on how to care for your wounds and the drainage tubes. They will also schedule follow-up visits and give you a prescription for pain medicine if you need it.

What advantages does a cheek lift offer?

There are many benefits to this procedure, including:

  • Long-lasting results: Your face will look younger and smoother almost immediately. These results usually last for about ten years. This is much longer than temporary options like fillers or injections, which only last 3 to 18 months.
  • Faster recovery: A cheek lift is often a quicker surgery and has a faster healing time than a traditional full facelift.
  • Safety: This is considered a very safe procedure with a low risk of serious problems.
  • Confidence: Looking younger can help many people feel more confident and happy with their appearance.
  • Hidden scars: Most of the scars from the cuts are hidden in your hairline or in the natural folds of your face, so they aren't easy to see.

What is the duration of a cheek lift?

As mentioned, the results typically last for about ten years, though this can vary from person to person.

What dangers or problems may a cheek lift cause?

Like any surgery, there are some risks. These can include:

  • Bruising and swelling.
  • Temporary numbness under the eyes or in the middle of the face.
  • Blood clots.
  • Collections of fluid or blood under the skin (seromas or hematomas).
  • Infection.
  • Small areas of hair loss near the cuts.
  • The face looking slightly uneven or lopsided.

How long does it take to recover from a cheek lift?

Most people recover in about 7 to 10 days. However, every person heals at a different speed. The first few days are usually the most uncomfortable. You might experience:

  • Swelling and bruising.
  • Pain or soreness.
  • A little bit of bleeding from the cuts.

Using ice packs can help lower the swelling during the first 48 hours. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and hold it on the area for 10 minutes at least four times a day.

After about a week, the pain should be much better. You can use over-the-counter pain medicine or what your doctor prescribed. Always check with your doctor before taking any new medicine.

For at least two weeks, do not do any hard exercise, jogging, or heavy lifting. Avoid turning your head quickly. It is better to turn your whole shoulders slowly rather than just moving your neck. Swelling can last up to six weeks, and your cheeks might feel sensitive when you chew food.

After a cheek lift, when can I resume my normal activities?

Most people can go back to work and their normal daily routine about one week after the surgery. However, you should wait a few weeks before doing any heavy exercise or sports. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to be more active.

When should I give my doctor a call?

You will have regular appointments to have your stitches removed and to check on your healing. However, you should call your doctor immediately if you notice:

  • Bleeding that soaks through your bandages.
  • Very extreme swelling.
  • A fever.
  • Pus or strange fluid coming out of the wounds.
  • Pain that is very severe and won't go away.
  • Your stitches come out on their own before your appointment.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Cheek Lift surgery in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospitals for Cheek Lift surgery in Lucknow, India. Our experienced cosmetic and plastic surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to lift sagging cheeks, restore facial volume, and enhance natural facial contours. We ensure accurate evaluation, personalized surgical planning, and comprehensive post-operative care for safe recovery. With expert aesthetic care and affordable pricing, our Cheek Lift surgery cost is suitable for patients seeking high-quality cosmetic treatment in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Cheek Lift surgery in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

Request an Appointment
Mon - Sat 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM IST

Our Experts

Awards & Accreditations