The mid-face lift repositions the cheekbone and the area under the eye, where sagging cheeks and a tired look appear.
From: 12.000 €
Surgery duration:
3-5 hours
Recovery time:
7 to 10 days
Synapta® protocol:
Included in Barcelona
Anesthesia:
General or sedation
Hospital stay:
1-night stay
Social life:
Between 10 and 15 days
Full recovery:
4 to 6 months
The mid-face lift is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate, firm and reposition the tissues of the middle third of the face, especially the cheekbones and cheeks, when there is skin laxity, sagging or volume loss caused by aging and the passage of time.
This technique lifts the cheeks, softens the nasolabial folds and restores freshness and support to the face, achieving a natural, harmonious result without the need for a full facelift.
Types of mid-face lift
Performed through small incisions with endoscopic assistance. It lifts the cheekbones and cheeks with a less invasive technique, ideal for mild or moderate sagging.
Uses a direct surgical approach to reposition the tissues of the midface. It is indicated when sagging is more pronounced and a stronger correction is needed.
Performed together with other procedures (such as blepharoplasty or a facelift) to achieve a more complete and harmonious rejuvenation of the face.
The mid-face lift is performed through small incisions at the temples (within the scalp) or inside the lower eyelid to reach the deep structure of the cheeks. Through these access points, the surgeon vertically lifts the fat pads and tissues that have dropped with age and fixes them in a higher position over the cheekbones to soften the nasolabial folds and eliminate the "droopy face" look. The procedure ends with these deep tissues being secured with sutures or absorbable devices, restoring youthful volume to the center of the face without the need for a full neck lift.
Your consultation will be held directly with the surgeon who will perform your procedure, who will assess your case and determine the most suitable technique. A payment of €80 is required in advance to book the appointment. If you cannot travel, the first visit can also be done by video call with the surgeon who would operate on you: it costs €50, which is deducted if you decide to have surgery.
Optionally, a complementary study can be carried out with advanced technology, Which makes it possible to optimize surgical planning and add an extra level of safety and precision to the procedure. Available for €90.
Before the procedure, thorough and fully personalized planning is carried out, your medical tests are reviewed and you receive all the instructions needed for the surgery to take place under optimal conditions.
The surgery takes place in accredited operating rooms and is performed by a surgeon with more than 40 years of experience in facial surgery.
The mid-face lift works specifically on the cheekbones and cheeks, repositioning the tissues to restore volume, support and freshness to the middle third of the face without altering your natural expression.
In Barcelona we apply the Synapta® protocol to make the post-op period more manageable.
Throughout the entire process, the patient is supported by our medical team, with regular check-ups to ensure proper progress and an optimal result.
Regain freshness, harmony and confidence in your appearance.
As a guide, the result of a mid-face lift lasts between 5 and 8 years. It is an average: in each patient it may be more or less.
How long it lasts does not depend on the technique. Deep plane, high SMAS, plication and MACS lift work on the deep tissues in different ways, but none of them lasts longer than another in itself. What makes the difference is the quality of the skin and tissues, genetics and how each person heals.
There is a published study, with 10 years of follow-up, that compares several facelift techniques. Its conclusion: from 5 years on, a little maintenance is advisable, whichever technique is used.
That is why the technique is chosen according to what each face needs, not according to how long it lasts.
“One key does not open every lock. Some cases call for one technique and some call for another.”
Dr. Javier de Benito
The mid-face lift at Instituto de Benito starts from €12,000, varying according to the extent of the surgery, the technique used, the operating time and the tests and follow-up included, and is tailored to each patient.
You can finance this procedure at 0% interest. See the options on our financing page.
*Prices valid in 2026. The exact price is given after the visit, once the surgeon has assessed your case.
The mid-face lift is indicated for people seeking deep, natural and long-lasting facial rejuvenation, when the signs of aging can no longer be corrected with non-surgical treatments.
When the cheeks have dropped and the cheekbones have lost projection, the problem lies not in the skin but in the deep tissues that support them. The mid-face lift acts directly on those support structures, repositioning them in their original anatomical position and achieving a real, stable and long-lasting result.
The mid-face lift is indicated when aging is concentrated in the middle area of the face (flattened cheekbones, sagging cheeks, marked nasolabial folds) and the lower third and neck show no significant sagging. If the neck is also affected, a more extensive lift is the most suitable technique.
When the folds between the nose and the corner of the mouth have deepened because the cheek tissues have dropped (not because of volume loss), the mid-face lift softens them by repositioning the tissues where they belong, with no need to add filler.
If you have turned to hyaluronic acid in the cheekbones and cheeks but the result is less and less satisfactory or shorter-lived, the problem is probably structural: the tissues have dropped and filler can no longer compensate. Midface surgery corrects the cause, not the symptom.
This is precisely the difference between the mid-face lift and non-surgical treatments: while filler or threads act on the surface and temporarily, midface surgery corrects the structural cause of the sagging, with results that last between 5 and 8 years, as a guide.
The mid-face lift is a specific alternative for those who do not need or do not want a full facelift. It acts exclusively on the cheekbones and cheeks, with a shorter recovery and without operating on areas that do not yet require it.
Like any surgical procedure, the mid-face lift requires a prior medical assessment to confirm there are no contraindications. At Instituto de Benito this assessment can be extended with NESAI® analysis and tissue ultrasound (€90, optional).
Deep plane facelift ✨
Deep plane facelift ✨
Facelift ✨
Face and neck lift ✨
Facelift ✨
Live outside Barcelona or Madrid?
Start with a video consultation with our surgeons. The surgeon who will operate on you assesses your case, answers your questions and gives you an exact, personalised quote. No travel needed for the first visit.
50 €
video consultation with your surgeon
Dr. David Neagu
Facial and maxillofacial surgery
Dr. Álvaro Sada
Facial and maxillofacial surgery
The mid-face lift is a safe surgery when performed under rigorous medical criteria, but there are situations in which it is contraindicated or should be postponed. At Instituto de Benito we always assess this in the pre-operative consultation, above any aesthetic or commercial consideration.
| Contraindicación | Motivo |
|---|---|
| Active smoking that cannot be paused | Nicotine reduces blood flow to the skin and seriously compromises healing, increasing the risk of skin flap necrosis. We require patients to stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery. |
| Treatment with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs that cannot be discontinued | Increases the risk of hematomas, intraoperative bleeding and healing complications. Requires coordination with the prescribing physician. |
| Severe coagulation disorders | High risk of facial hematoma. Requires prior hematological evaluation. |
| Decompensated cardiopulmonary disease | These increase anesthetic risk. They must be stabilized before surgery is considered. |
| Poorly controlled diabetes | Compromises healing and increases the risk of infection. Requires controlled HbA1c. |
| Active local or systemic infection | Increases the risk of wound infection and healing complications. Surgery is postponed until the infection has fully resolved. |
| Body dysmorphic disorder or unrealistic expectations | When the motivation stems from a distorted body image or anatomically impossible expectations, no technique will resolve the dissatisfaction. Requires prior psychological assessment. |
| Previous facial surgery with inadequate healing | Recent facial surgery with unresolved complications must be stabilized before a new procedure is considered. |
| Severely compromised skin quality (isolated severe photoaging) | The mid-face lift does not rejuvenate the skin: it repositions the structure. If the main problem is skin quality, skin treatments should be combined or other treatments prioritized. |
| Active autoimmune diseases | These require individualized rheumatological evaluation. Surgery is assessed on a case-by-case basis. |
| Under 30 years of age, for aesthetic purposes with no anatomical indication | Structural sagging rarely justifies a mid-face lift before the age of 35-40. In that age range, non-surgical treatments are prioritized. |
The mid-face lift is major surgery. It is performed in an accredited operating room, with a qualified anesthesiologist and full monitoring. This reduces the incidence of complications, but patients must be aware of them before signing the consent form.
Instituto de Benito is a center of reference in facelift surgery and advanced techniques for rejuvenating the middle third of the face, with more than 40 years of experience and thousands of satisfied patients.
The team combines surgical technique with a personal approach, aiming for a natural result in harmony with each face.
«One key does not open every lock»
«The mid-face lift restores volume and definition to the cheekbones and cheeks, always respecting the patient's identity»
«The mid-face lift addresses the signs of aging in the central part of the face»
«Mid-face lift surgery offers a specific solution for rejuvenating the midface through precise, personalized techniques»
Safety is the cornerstone of Instituto de Benito. All patients who undergo mid-face lift surgery go through rigorous pre-operative tests and thorough follow-up at post-operative check-ups, which makes it possible to detect any potential complication early and act as effectively as possible.
The experience of our surgeons, with 40 years in plastic surgery and facial surgery, ensures high-quality procedures even in complex cases, with natural, harmonious and long-lasting results.
The first step is not surgery: it is a consultation with the surgeon who would perform your procedure. They will assess your case, answer your questions and, after the visit, give you the exact price.
The first consultation costs €80, which is deducted from the cost of surgery if you decide to have your procedure with us. You can also call us.
The price of a mid-face lift at Instituto de Benito starts from €12,000, although the final cost depends on the technique selected (endoscopic or classic), whether procedures need to be combined and the anesthesia plan. The final quote is provided after your personalized medical consultation; the NESAI® analysis is paid for separately (€90, optional).
The mid-face lift is a rejuvenation surgery that acts specifically on the cheekbones and cheeks, repositioning the tissues that have dropped over time. Unlike a full facelift, it does not address the neck or the lower third: it is designed for those with sagging localized in the middle area of the face (flattened cheeks, marked nasolabial folds) who do not need a more extensive procedure.
A visible rejuvenation of the cheekbones and cheeks, with a fresher, more rested and harmonious face. The change becomes visible gradually. As a guide, the result is already visible to others at around a month to a month and a half, and full recovery comes between 4 and 6 months.
Discomfort is usually mild to moderate and is effectively managed with medication and advanced recovery protocols. Most patients return to their social life between 10 and 15 days.
No. The mid-face lift is designed to rejuvenate without altering your expression or features, avoiding an artificial look.
The mid-face lift is a safe procedure when performed in specialized centers by expert surgeons, but like all surgery, it carries potential risks.
At Instituto de Benito, safety is the priority and all procedures are performed under strict medical and control protocols, keeping complications to a minimum.
As a guide, between 5 and 8 years. How long it lasts does not depend on the technique used, but on the quality of the tissues, genetics and how each patient heals. From around 5 years on, a little maintenance is usually advisable.
The mid-face lift acts specifically on the cheekbones and cheeks. It is ideal when aging is concentrated in the middle third of the face and a full facelift is not necessary.
Yes. It can be combined with blepharoplasty, facial fat grafting or other rejuvenation treatments, always subject to a personalized medical assessment.
Moderate weight changes do not usually alter the result significantly, although keeping a stable weight helps maintain it better over time.
The recommended rest at home is approximately 7 to 10 days. During that period, swelling and discomfort are managed with specific medication. Remote work can be resumed sooner; in-person social life, between 10 and 15 days. Physical exercise is reintroduced between 3 and 4 weeks, and sun exposure is resumed at 4-6 weeks with high protection. Full recovery comes between 4 and 6 months.
Medical review
N.º de colegiación 8038
Plastic surgeon and medical director. International reference in facial surgery.
Average rating: 4.8 / 5
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Aura Motiska
Googlehace 9 meses
I had a deep plane facelift with upper and lower blepharoplasty by Dr. David Neagu, and I couldn’t be happier. The results are incredibly natural—I look refreshed and like myself, just better. Dr. Neagu and his entire team were kind, caring, and highly skilled from start to finish. I felt supported every step of the...
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Maru Ortega
Googlehace 11 meses
Podría poner 20* a mí querido cirujano David Neagu por los veinte años que me ha quitado de la cara. Haces magia Doc!!! Mil gracias al equipazo por cuidarme: Monika, Julia, Cris, Eva. Un beso y abrazo gigante para tod@s
Kirsten Case
Googlehace 1 año
I live in France had a lower face and neck lift. Having researched carefully I chose Dr Neagu and I am thrilled with my results. I am 67 and had a facelift in America 8 years ago but wrinkles and loose skin on neck had bothered me for the last year or so. I have very prominent salivary glands and that was not...
Cristina Betancor
Googlehace 11 meses
Encantada con el resultado y con el trato recibido por la doctora Marina y todo su equipo. Muy profesionales, atentos y cercanos en todo momento.
Nora Haxha
Googlehace 1 año
Such a lovely team and experience! From my first visit to the online follow-ups, everyone has been so kind, caring, and professional. Dr. Neagu and Dr. García are truly exceptional I couldn’t feel in better hands. Thank you for everything! 🤍
Beatriz Perelló Gonzalo
Googlehace 1 año
La doctora Irene y su asistente Laura, me hicieron confiar desde el principio! Pero Los resultados superaron mis expectativas, me dejé llevar y ahora parezco 10 años menos, una piel increíble y me siento con mucha más confianza. 1000 recomendable! La doctora es un amor
Teresa Pacho
Googlehace 1 año
Trato profesional y cercano. Excelencia en la cirujana Marina Garcia y todo el equipo. Honestidad en la comunicación.
Dolores Peñalver
Googlehace 1 año
Mi experiencia en el Instituto de Benito ha sido excelente. Agradecer a la Doctora María Gijón y a todo su equipo por su gran profesionalidad y por ayudar a los clientes ante cualquier duda o aclaración
Marisa Canseco
Googlehace 1 año
El doctor Fernández y su enfermera Cristina son profesionales excelentes y dan un estupendo trato. Los recomiendo al 100%. Los resultados se ajustan totalmente a lo que se comprometen.
Sandra TB
Googlehace 1 año
Agradecer enormemente a la Doctora Marina por el trato durante todo el proceso y por el resultado final. Mi experiencia ha sido maravillosa. Agradecer también a Montse por hacer que esto sea posible.
julia juan fornes
Googlehace 1 año
La Dra Marina Garcia muy profesional y transmite muchísima confianza desde el primer momento.
Maragda L
Googlehace 9 meses
Mi experiencia ha sido de lo mejor, me he sentido totalmente cuidada en todo el proceso de mi operación desde Mónica siempre atenta a mis consultas, hasta las chicas de los masajes y cómo no, con el doctor Orestes Fernández con quién me he sentido acompañada en toda la operación y sobre todo recuperación. Sin duda...
Paula Roldan Martinez-checa
Googlehace 10 meses
La Doctora Marina Garcia es totalmente un acierto. Sinceridad desde el primer momento, te escucha y te aconseja conforme tu idea y de manera que quede lo más natural y bonito posible, siendo siempre realistas. El resultado totalmente bonito, más natural y mejor de lo que incluso yo me pensaba. Una recuperación súper...
Susi Rodríguez Suárez
Googlehace 1 año
La Dra. Marina es maravillosa. Un equipo de profesionales de 10.
Carlos rubio miguel
Googlehace 1 año
Profesionales excelentes con un trato personal inmejorable. Muy recomendado!
