A midface lift in Raleigh at Stein Plastic Surgery, performed by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Stein, restores youthful fullness to your cheeks, lifting sagging skin and improving deep nasolabial folds. This procedure addresses under-eye hollows, midface drooping, and jowling, helping you achieve a rejuvenated appearance.
Lift and Tighten the Cheeks and Midface
A midface lift, also known as a cheek lift, is a surgical procedure that elevates and repositions the soft tissues of the midface, particularly in the area between the lower eyelids and upper lip. This procedure focuses on restoring volume and support to sagging cheeks, reducing the appearance of deep nasolabial folds, and minimizing hollows under the eyes. Unlike a full facelift, the midface lift specifically targets the central portion of the face, providing a more youthful, refreshed look without affecting the neck or jawline.
What a Midface Lift Can Do for You
A midface lift can dramatically improve the appearance of your face by lifting sagging skin and restoring youthful contours. By targeting the specific midface areas, it enhances your overall facial harmony, helping you look more refreshed and rejuvenated without looking overdone. Key improvements include:
- Lifting sagging cheeks
- Reducing deep nasolabial folds
- Smoothing hollows beneath the eyes
- Enhancing midface volume and support
- Softening the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek
- Improving the appearance of early jowling
- Restoring balance to the midface and lower face
- Creating a more youthful, rested facial expression
Am I a Good Candidate for a Midface Lift in Raleigh?
You may be a good candidate for a midface lift if you are experiencing sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, or hollows beneath your eyes but don’t need a full facelift. The ideal candidates are typically in their 40s to 50s with mild to moderate skin laxity in the midface. A midface lift is also suitable if you want to restore lost volume in the cheeks for a more youthful appearance.
You should be in good overall health and free from conditions that could impair healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes or bleeding disorders. Dr. Stein will conduct a thorough evaluation and review your medical history to determine if a midface lift surgery in Raleigh is right for you.
What Happens During the Midface Lift?
The midface lift surgery in Raleigh typically takes 2 to 3 hours and is performed under IV deep sedation for your comfort. Dr. Stein begins by making small, well-concealed incisions. These are usually placed either just below the lower lash line or hidden within the hairline at the temples, depending on the technique suited to your facial anatomy. Through these incisions, Dr. Stein accesses the deeper layers of the face, including the underlying fat pads and muscle structures.
Using specialized instruments, he gently elevates the malar fat pad—the key structure responsible for midface volume—back to its youthful position. Sutures are strategically placed to secure the lifted tissues in place, ensuring lasting results. If needed, excess fat may be carefully redistributed or removed to smooth out hollows beneath the eyes and improve facial contours. Once the repositioning is complete, the incisions are closed to minimize visible scarring.
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Your Consultation With Dr. Stein
During your consultation with Dr. Stein, you’ll discuss your specific concerns and aesthetic goals. He will carefully examine your facial structure, focusing on the midface area to assess sagging, volume loss, and skin elasticity. Dr. Stein will review your medical history, ensuring there are no contraindications for surgery, and explain the procedure in detail, including recovery expectations and potential outcomes. He will also show you before-and-after photos of previous patients to help set realistic expectations.
For individuals considering a less extensive approach, Dr. Stein may also recommend a brow lift as an alternative or complementary option.
What Can I Expect From Recovery?
After your midface lift, you can expect some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort, particularly around the cheeks and eyes. These typically peak within the first 48-72 hours and subside over the next 1-2 weeks. Dr. Stein may recommend cold compresses and pain medications to manage discomfort. You should plan to take at least 7-10 days off work to allow for healing.
During the first week, you’ll need to keep your head elevated and avoid any strenuous activities. Most swelling should resolve within 2-3 weeks, though subtle swelling may persist for a few months. By 4-6 weeks, you can resume normal activities, including exercise, as your midface continues to heal and reveal its rejuvenated contours.
Complementary Procedures
To enhance your midface lift results, you may consider combining it with complementary procedures like eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to address sagging or puffy eyelids, a brow lift to smooth forehead lines, or laser skin resurfacing for improved skin texture. Dr. Stein can help you determine the best combination for a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
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Patient Testimonials
Dr. Stein is AMAZING and I would never trust my face with anyone else. Nice staff, great procedure, awesome guy. Highly recommend and I will go back for more treats!
The entire experience at this clinic has been a pleasure. The staff are pleasant and caring, and Dr. Stein has worked wonders on my appearance. I not only feel better, 1 also look better. He has done more for my quality of life than he will ever realize! I am a professional artist. I believe that in his work, he is ar artist as well.
Everyone at Dr. Stein’s office has been amazing. After 20 years of contemplating rhinoplasty I’m so happy I finally did it. The entire process was super easy from start to finish. If you are looking for a surgeon to coddle you, that’s not Dr. Stein. If you are looking for a true professional with many years experience, and who is a straight shooter, Dr. Stein is the doctor for you. I can’t imagine a more perfect nose for me! Thank you, Dr. Stein!
Words can not express how happy I am with the results, I can look in the mirror now instead of avoiding it, Dr. Stein made me look refreshed and younger.
Dr. Stein answered all my questions, told me exactly what was going to be done, how recovery would be and what I could expect afterwards. I felt at anytime during this journey, I could call him or his great staff and they would take care of any concerns that I might have had. Dr. Stein and his staff took great care of me, I honestly can’t say Thank you enough!
I have always been unhappy with my nose and it’s masculine appearance. I have a very small face and frame and it just never seemed to fit. Since the first consultation I knew Dr. Stein was the surgeon I wanted to go to. He was very mindful and observant of every little detail that I did not like. Dr. Stein and his whole staff were very friendly and extremely helpful. I loved my experience and my new nose is amazing! I would highly recommend Dr. Stein to anyone looking to have any facial cosmetic procedure.
I am extremely pleased with the outcome and with Dr.Stein’s talent! My nose looks even better than I expected and keeps getting better each day. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I am so glad I chose to come here to have it done.
My rhino/septoplasty experience with Dr. Stein was AMAZING. Not only were the results better than what I could have imagined, but everyone at his office was so polite and wonderful to work with. Thanks to Dr. Stein I can breathe better and look better – in a perfectly natural way!
Midface Lift FAQs
How much does a midface lift cost?
The cost of a midface lift depends on your individual needs, the complexity of your procedure, and whether it is combined with other facial surgeries. Because no two patients have the same anatomy or goals, pricing is always tailored to individual needs.
During your consultation, Dr. Stein will provide a detailed treatment plan and review the exact cost with you. Scheduling a consultation is the best way to receive an accurate estimate.
How is a midface lift different from a mini face lift?
A midface lift targets the area between your lower eyelids and upper lip, focusing on lifting sagging cheeks, reducing hollows beneath the eyes, and softening deep smile lines. By comparison, a mini facelift addresses early jowling and laxity along the jawline and lower face.
In short, a midface lift improves the central face, while a mini facelift refreshes the lower face. For some patients, combining the two creates the most balanced, natural-looking outcome.
Are midface lifts worth it?
For many patients, yes.
A midface lift restores youthful cheek volume, improves under-eye contour, and softens nasolabial folds, often creating a noticeable yet natural enhancement. It can provide years of rejuvenation without the more extensive recovery of a full facelift.
Ultimately, whether it’s “worth it” depends on your goals, expectations, and lifestyle. A consultation helps determine if this procedure aligns with the results you want to achieve.
How long does a midface lift last?
Most patients can enjoy the benefits of a midface lift for 7 to 10 years. While no procedure can halt aging, repositioning the midface tissues can create a lasting structural improvement.
The results may vary based on skin quality, genetics, and lifestyle choices such as sun protection and skincare. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following your surgeon’s recommendations will help extend your results.
What is the best age for a midface lift?
There isn’t a single “perfect age” for a midface lift. Many people choose the procedure in their 40s or 50s, when midface sagging, under-eye hollows, or smile lines become more noticeable. However, candidacy is based more on your unique anatomy and concerns than on age alone.
A personalized consultation with Dr. Stein will help you decide if now is the right time.
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Consultation With Dr. Stein
Dr. Stein is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in midface lift procedures in Raleigh, specializing in achieving natural-looking results tailored to your unique facial structure. During your consultation, he will assess your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan. After surgery, Dr. Stein provides his personal number to every patient, ensuring you can access him for any questions or concerns during recovery. To take the next step toward a more youthful appearance, schedule your midface lift consultation with Dr. Stein today.
