Facial Plastic Surgery | Cincinnati, OH

Dr. Alexander Donath

(513) 891-LIFT (5438)
Schedule Now
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Dr. Donath
    • Meet Our Team
    • Charitable
    • LUXE at DFPS
    • Careers
  • Procedures
    • Surgical
      • LuxeLift℠
      • Eyelid Surgery
      • LuxeEyes℠
      • Forehead Lift (Brow Lift)
      • Fat Transfer
      • Male Plastic Surgery
      • Facelift
      • Otoplasty
      • Mini Facelift
      • Cheek Augmentation
      • Mini Necklift
      • Rhinoplasty
      • Cheek Lift
      • Revision Rhinoplasty
      • Chin Augmentation
      • Reconstructive Surgery
    • Non-Surgical
      • VOLUME LIFT℠: Injectables
      • Kybella Treatment
      • Laser Resurfacing
      • Laser Therapy
      • Lip Augmentation
      • Liposonix
      • Botox Treatments
      • Photofacial (IPL / BBL)
      • Clear + Brilliant
      • SkinTyte
    • Skin Care
      • Skin Care Progam
      • HydraFacial®
      • Microdermabrasion
      • Microneedling
  • Photo Gallery
  • Testimonials
    • Reviews
    • Realself Reviews
    • Leave a Review!
  • Blog
  • Patients
    • Patient Forms
    • Financing
    • Out of Town Patients/Concierge
    • Directions
    • FAQ
  • Patient Login (opens in a new tab)
  • Media
    • Awards & Media Segments
    • Instructional Videos
    • Internationally Renowned
    • Video Testimonials
  • Shop (opens in a new tab)

Midface Lift in Cincinnati, OH

Full, high cheeks are among the most recognized signs of beauty and youth in our culture. Unfortunately, the aging process gradually reduces the fullness of the cheeks, and many procedures have been developed to reverse this trend. Collectively, these procedures are referred to as “midface lifts”. The “midface” is the area from the lower eyelids down to the level of the mouth. By lifting the soft tissue in this region, the face regains a youthful, healthy appearance. If you feel that your cheeks are less prominent than in years past, or you are unhappy with the “smile lines” that are created by your cheeks, then a midface lift may be right for you.

Table Of Contents

Midfacial Anatomy

Several types of tissue contribute to the fullness of a young midface, including skin, muscle, fat, and bone. In particular, there is a prominent collection of fat below the cheeks called the “malar fat pad”, and as we age this pad becomes thinner and falls. Also, the high bones of the cheek become smaller over time. These changes, along with the thinning and sagging of aging skin, lead to a loss of soft tissue in the cheek region. Therefore, many midface lift procedures involve not just lifting, but also replacing, the soft tissue of the cheeks.

Types of Midface Lifts

The most extensive midface lift techniques involve making two incisions on each side: one inside the mouth (at the bottom of the cheek) and another in the hair behind the temple. First, the soft tissue of the cheek is freed to allow it to move. Then, an absorbable fastening material is used to lift the soft tissue to a higher, more youthful position and secure it in the temple region. A less extensive, but still effective, method is to lift and secure the malar fat pad through an incision immediately below the lower eyelid. In this approach there is no need for an incision in the mouth.

  •  Before and After Photos in , , Midface Lift in Cincinnati, OH
  •  Before and After Photos in , , Midface Lift in Cincinnati, OH
Before and After Photos

*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.

Suitable Patients for Midface Lift

Patients who benefit from midface lifting have two common complaints. First, they dislike the hollowing, flattening, or loss of cheek fullness that occurs with age. Second, they are unhappy with the prominent “smile lines” (also called “nasolabial folds”) that extend from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. A midface lift can improve both of these features. Ideal patients should also be in good health, and should be able to avoid blood thinning medications around the time of the surgery.

The Consultation

When you arrive at our office for a consultation, you will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about your medical and surgical history. Dr. Donath will then take standardized photographs, and examine the position and fullness of your midface. Most importantly, you will be given ample time to describe your complaints, and to learn about your proposed procedure and how it might help you. Our doctors will also use a state of the art computer photo alteration program to predict your surgical outcome.

Midface Lift | Cincinnati, OH
Midface Lift in Cincinnati

As mentioned elsewhere in this website, we stress patient education. So, during the consultation, you will learn a great deal about the anatomic considerations that cause your complaints, how they will be changed, what you will experience during the recovery, and your risks and alternatives to treatment. You will be given much information in writing, and we are always available for a second consultation, if you wish to review anything.

The Pre-operative Process

For the two weeks prior to your procedure, you should refrain from using common medications that decrease your blood’s ability to clot, including aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Bufferin, Naprosyn, and large doses of vitamin E. Our doctors will give you specific instructions based on your current medications. If you have any headaches or other pain, taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) is fine. You should also avoid smoking for two weeks before your surgery. The night before your surgery, you should eat a normal dinner but avoid all oral intake after midnight. This includes drinking anything, even water.

When you schedule your surgery, you will be given a detailed set of instructions that includes much more information. A copy of these Midface Lift Instructions is available for you to review now.

  • Over the past 10 years I have visited many plastic surgeons contemplating a facelift, but never felt comfortable with anyone until I met Dr. Donath. I knew within minutes of talking with him that he was who I could trust my face, my instincts were correct. I look 15-20 years younger and could not be happier. He’s also super nice. The staff are also wonderful.

    I would recommend him to everyone.

    • 5 stars
    • Real patient

Your Procedure

After you are properly anesthetized, small incisions will be made inside your upper lip and in the temple hair on each side. Alternatively, you may need only small incisions in each lower eyelid, under the lashes. Next, the soft tissue of the cheeks (usually the malar fat pads) will be grasped by absorbable sutures or thin absorbable plastic strips. The suture or strip will then be secured to the deep temple tissues, or strong tissue under the lower eyelids. The result will be an elevation of the cheeks to a more youthful and fuller position. Some patients are also helped by the injection of a small amount of fat into the cheeks, to replace soft tissue that has been lost with aging. This fat is often harvested from the abdomen.

You will need to arrive about two hours prior to the start of your procedure. The entire procedure will take approximately two hours, and you will stay in our recovery room about one hour while you recover from the anesthetic. When returning home, you will need a friend or family member to accompany you.

Anesthesia

Most midface lift patients receive a deep sedation, which means they are completely asleep during the procedure but are breathing on their own, so there is no need for a breathing tube. This type of anesthesia is always provided by a highly qualified doctor or nurse anesthetist, who will be dedicated to the anesthetic treatment for the entire case. Every patient will be completely comfortable and the procedure itself will be pain-free.

Recovery

The discomfort after a midface lift is usually very mild. You will be provided pain medication and other suggestions to minimize your soreness. Most patients report a sensation of heaviness and tightness in their cheek skin, which arises from swelling. Actual pain, though, is fairly rare. Usually there is no need for a dressing.

The sutures used for your skin incisions will be removed one week after surgery. You will have mild swelling and bruising of your face for one to two weeks. You should be able to return to light activities after your sutures are removed at one week, but heavy exertion and exercise should be avoided for up to three weeks. You should keep in mind that your cheeks may look too high or full immediately after surgery – this is a normal consequence of swelling, and will resolve.

Share this page

COSMETIC PROCEDURES

  • Botox / Dysport
  • Brow lift
  • Ear Reshaping
  • Eyelid Lift
  • Facelift
  • Liposonix
  • Reconstructive
  • Revision Rhinoplasty
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Skin Care Program
  • Volume LiftSM: Fat Transfer
  • Volume LiftSM: Injectables
  • More Cosmetic Procedures
  • Frequent Questions
  • Just for Patients
  • Directions and Travel
  • Articles and Blog
  • Have a Question?
    Ask the Experts

Latest News

Medical Edge

Dr. Donath was featured in Channel Fox 19.
Dr. Donath was featured in Channel Fox 19.

More information

State of the Art Office!

Cincinnati Facial Plastics recently renovated its office to make it state-of-the-art. See the photos below.

Cincinnati Facial Plastics Office
Cincinnati Facial Plastics Office
Cincinnati Facial Plastics Office
Cincinnati Facial Plastics Office

 

Special Offers

$100 off any in office procedure

Special Offers Ohio

No cash value. One procedure per person, new patients only, and cannot be combined with other offers. Skincare excluded.

Learn more about Specials

 

Articles

Healthcare Leadership Award

If you could interview any healthcare professional, who would it be and why?

Read what Dr. Donath had to say
Venue magazine article on Dr. Donath's approach to international beauty

Venue magazine article on Dr. Donath's approach to international beauty

Click here to read more
Article in Venue magazine on Dr. Donath's practice

Article in Venue magazine on Dr. Donath's practice

Click here to read more
Dr. Donath's landmark eyelid rejuvenation Cincinnati

Dr. Donath's landmark eyelid rejuvenation article

Click here to read excerpts
Top DoctorDr. Donath named one of Cincinnati’s Top Doctors of 2018!

Contact Us

  • By submitting this form I agree to the Terms of Use
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
5 stars
from 155 reviews
Follow us in facebook
Donath Facial Plastic Surgery Facebook Donath Facial Plastic Surgery Twitter Donath Facial Plastic Surgery Pinterest Donath Facial Plastic Surgery BlogDonath Facial Plastic Surgery Instagram

Locations: Cincinnati, OH | Dayton, OH | Crestview Hills, KY

CLICK HERE for information regarding privacy of your medical information. Additionally, all website users must agree to the terms and conditions of this site.
Please CLICK HERE to review terms of use. Donath Facial Plastic Surgery. All Rights Reserved | Careers/Join our team

© Copyright 2021. Facial Plastic Surgery | Cincinnati, OH. | 513-891-LIFT (5438) | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

Plastic Surgery Marketing by Surgeons Advisor

Are you sure we can’t help?

  • By submitting this form I agree to the Terms of Use.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.