The mid-face lift procedure (cheek lift)

The primary goal of the cheek lift is to elevate and tighten the soft tissues of the cheek. This will result in the restoration of a more youthful lower eyelid-cheek junction, with softening of the fold between the nostril and cheek, and repositioning of the cheek tissue in a more youthful position. The cheek lift moves the cheek upward producing a more natural appearance (less pulled) than the "classical" face lift, which pulls tissue more towards the ear. Lifting the cheek upward counteracts the influence of gravity and restores a more youthful cheek contour.
The cheek lift is performed through an incision below the lashes of the lower eyelid. The skin and muscle of the lower eyelid is elevated down to the bony rim of the orbit. At this point the tissue of the cheek is lifted off of the bone down to the level of the nostril so that the entire cheek can be repositioned in a more youthful location. The cheek is then secured in place and reinforced with various suture techniques. Any excess eyelid skin and muscle are then trimmed, and the skin incisions are closed.