The shape of our faces and how each region influences other areas on our faces is critically important to not only our aesthetic appearance, but also how we interact with others. If you have had a midface lift, you have probably experienced this first hand. In most cases, this experience is a positive one, and after your midface lift you will find that your facial anatomy improves your appearance and the way others view you. However, Dr. Steinsapir has indentified a new set of complications following overaggressive midface lift surgery performed by apparently well credentialed surgeons. Typically people suffering from this set of complications experience a deterioration in appearance and in more extreme cases actually feel that people no longer look them in the eye during conversation with others. In these cases, you need to seek help from a specialist in reconstructive facial surgery who understands how to correct midface lift complications.
Midface Lift Before and After
What is the Plateau Midface Syndrome?
The “plateau midface syndrome” is an unofficial name that Dr. Steinsapir uses to aptly describe in a few words this constellation of changes after aggressive midface surgery. Those who seek help for this problem often wonder if they are experiencing zygomatic arch erosion – erosion of part of the cheek bone or so-called temporal wasting. Dr. Steinsapir has carefully studied these changes. What is going on is the result of surgical trauma to the fat that cushions the temple area and extends to the edge of the orbital rim. This fat is damaged by aggressive midface surgery where the surgeon tunnels into the midface from the hairline or above the hairline. It is Dr. Steinsapir’s opinion that surgeons who cause this problem likely do not fully understand the damage caused by their surgery. The effect is unmistakable. The temple is hollowed, the bone of the zygomatic arch which was previously hidden by the temple fat becomes exposed. This create a skeletonized look. Because this area looks flat, Dr. Steinsapir has adopted the term Plateau Midface Syndrome to describe the condition.
Another feature of this syndrome is loss of fat at the edge of the eye area. This area at the side of the eyes should have a subtle layer of fat. This fat helps to isolate the eye aesthetic area from the temple aesthetic area. The importance of this cushion of fat is critically in our day-to-day interactions with other people. Gaze scan studies have demonstrated that this cushion of fat helps to hold conversation gaze of the person you are talking to on the eye. When you are aware that the person speaking with you is looking into your eyes, you know they are interested in what you have to say. However, when this fat is damaged by midface surgery, the gaze is no longer held by the eyes. The gaze of the person speaking with you easily slips off to the temple area. The effect is the awareness that people who you speak with are not interested in you or what you have to say.
Facial recognition and interpretation is a complex brain process, so the person looking at you will not be able to describe the issue without training and medical insight, but their brain will still have trouble making sense of your face, and they will lose their focus on your eyes and further lose interest in what you are saying. This is not intentional on their part, but the result of complex neurological functioning. When you experience this complication, what you say will not seem important to others because your eyes will no longer help you deliver your message. The change in your interactions with others may even cause you to become severely depressed.
Dr. Steinsapir has seen a dozen people with this concern and has helped them correct it through custom-designed revisional treatments. The most devastating aspect of this set of concerns is its impact on how others subconsciously interact with you. If your teachers in school were always nagging you to make eye contact during presentations, that’s because eye contact is one of the most powerful and important components of social interactions. The ability of others to make eye contact with you is compromised in the case of the plateau midface syndrome, creating serious problems for you in everyday social and business situations.
Correcting Midface Lift Problems
If you are experiencing this grave problem, the first thing you need to do is recognize it as a problem. In most cases Dr. Steinsapir recommends you try to address your concerns with your original surgeon whenever possible. However, because this problem is caused by a lack of anatomic midface and facelift insight by the surgeon who performed the original surgery, your surgeon may not even be able to admit that there is an issue. Under these circumstances, we suggest you seek out a different midface lift surgeon who has extensive experience, training, education, and proven results in midface reconstruction.
Treatment depends on the individual nature of your results. Typically, the temple and orbital rim volume will need to be custom-adjusted for you in order to reestablish your damaged soft tissue buffer. The method of correction will depend on the severity of your situation as well as your unique facial composition and goals. Solutions include facial fillers, orbital rim implants, and sometimes even a fat transfer to the face.
Dr. Steinsapir Can Help
Dr. Steinsapir has corrected many midface surgeries gone wrong, and he understands that it can be frightening to consider getting more surgery when your first surgery was so disappointing. This is why he encourages you to thoroughly research potential surgeons and visit him at a no-risk consultation where you can expect a caring physician to listen to your concerns and individual story and answer your questions with honesty. Dr. Steinsapir is up-front about both the benefits and limitations of revisional surgery, and he can also offer you hope.
Dr. Steinsapir is both a surgeon in West Los Angeles and associate clinical professor at UCLA, where he is a leader, professor, and researcher. As a caring oculofacial plastic surgeon with experience, education, and valuable resources at his practices in Beverly Hills and at UCLA, he can help you to restore your appearance, communication abilities, and trust in doctors again. Help is possible for the plateau midface syndrome. The first step is calling and scheduling a personal consultation with Dr. Steinsapir. He will assess you and discuss the options that are available to address your particular concerns. Please contact us today.