By djone6997 
The mirror doesn’t lie. At 42, I saw changes I didn’t like. My cheeks were sagging down. Deep lines ran from my nose to my mouth. I looked tired all the time. My aesthetician mentioned mid-face thread lifts during a regular facial. I was interested right away.
My mid-face thread lift cost $2,800 and took about an hour. The recovery was easier than surgery but harder than expected. I had swelling for two weeks and uneven results for three weeks. The final results were subtle but nice. They lasted about 18 months. I would do it again with the right expectations.
What Exactly Is a Mid-Face Thread Lift?
A mid-face thread lift targets the middle part of your face specifically. This non-surgical procedure focuses on lifting cheeks and reducing smile lines. It’s become popular because it offers natural-looking results without major surgery.
The Science Behind Thread Lifts
A mid-face thread lift uses special threads under your skin. The threads lift sagging skin and tissue. They also help your body make more collagen. This makes your skin look younger over time.
The threads are called PDO threads. They dissolve safely in your body. These same threads are used in heart surgery. They have tiny hooks that grab your skin from inside.
Why I Chose Mid-Face Over Full Face Threading
My main problem was saggy cheeks. The lines around my mouth were getting deeper. A full face thread lift seemed like too much. My doctor agreed that mid-face would fix my specific issues.
The Consultation Process: Red Flags and Green Lights
Getting a good consultation is crucial for any mid-face thread lift. This step determines whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Take your time to research and ask the right questions.
Finding the Right Practitioner
I talked to three different doctors before choosing one. The best one had lots of experience with thread lifts. She showed me real before and after photos. She took time to look at my face carefully.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Dr. Martinez explained that thread lifts give about 60-70% of surgical results. She said the changes would be subtle and gradual. This disappointed me at first. But she was right about what to expect.
Pre-Treatment Preparation: What They Don’t Always Mention
Preparing for your mid-face thread lift properly can prevent complications. Many doctors don’t explain all the preparation steps clearly. Following these guidelines will help ensure better results and safer healing.
Medications and Supplements to Avoid
I had to stop taking certain pills two weeks before treatment. No fish oil, vitamin E, or aspirin. Green tea pills and turmeric were also banned. These can cause more bleeding during the procedure.
Skin Preparation Protocol
My doctor gave me a special skincare routine to follow. I had to stop using retinoids for one week. I also needed someone to drive me home afterward.
The Day of the Procedure: A Minute-by-Minute Account
The actual mid-face thread lift procedure was less scary than I imagined. Knowing what to expect minute by minute helped calm my nerves. Here’s exactly what happened during my treatment session.
Arrival and Setup
The treatment room looked like a doctor’s office. This made me feel safer. The nurse cleaned my face completely. Then Dr. Martinez drew marks where the threads would go.
The Numbing Process
Getting numbed was the worst part of the whole thing. The lidocaine shots really stung. I had to wait 15 minutes for my face to go completely numb.
Thread Insertion: The Reality
Once I was numb, I only felt pressure and pulling. No sharp pain at all. The whole threading took about 45 minutes. I could hear crackling sounds under my skin.
Immediate Aftermath: The First 24 Hours
The first day after my mid-face thread lift was challenging but manageable. Your appearance will look different right after the procedure. Understanding what’s normal helps reduce anxiety during early recovery.
Initial Appearance Shock
Looking in the mirror right after was scary. My face was very swollen. One side looked more lifted than the other. Dr. Martinez said this was normal.
Managing Discomfort and Swelling
The first night was uncomfortable but manageable. Regular pain pills helped a lot. Sleeping with my head up reduced the swelling.
Week One Recovery: The Hidden Challenges
The first week after a mid-face thread lift brings unexpected surprises. Most online resources don’t prepare you for these specific issues. Here are the challenges I wish someone had warned me about.
The Asymmetry Nobody Warns You About
By day three, the swelling went down some. But my face looked uneven for almost three weeks. My left cheek was higher than my right. This is common but doctors don’t always mention it.
Dietary Restrictions and Lifestyle Adjustments
Chewing hurt for the first week. I ate only soft foods like soup and yogurt. I couldn’t sleep on my side comfortably. This affected my sleep quality.
When to Be Concerned
Small bruises appeared where the threads went in. I could see the thread outlines under my skin sometimes. This looked scary but went away in 10 days.
Weeks Two Through Four: The Settling Period
Your mid-face thread lift results really start showing during this period. The dramatic swelling goes down and everything begins looking natural. This is when you can start judging your actual results.
Gradual Improvement
The lopsided look started getting better in week two. By week four, my face looked natural again. The threads became less visible as everything healed.
Social Situations and Makeup Application
I could wear makeup after one week. But I had to be gentle when blending foundation. Most people didn’t notice I had anything done.
The Three-Month Mark: Realistic Results
Three months is when you see the true results of mid-face thread lift. Your body has adjusted to the threads and collagen production increases. This timing gives you the most accurate picture of your final outcome.
What Actually Changed
Three months later, I had a noticeable but subtle lift. The deep lines around my mouth were softer. My cheeks looked more defined. I looked about five years younger.
Photographic Evidence
Before and after photos showed changes better than looking in mirrors. The lifting was most obvious in side view pictures. Smiling photos showed the best improvement.
Long-Term Results: Six Months to Two Years
Understanding how long your mid-face thread lift will last is important. Results vary from person to person based on many factors. Planning for maintenance helps you budget and schedule future treatments.
Peak Results Timeline
My results kept getting better until about six months. This is when collagen production peaks. The gradual change was actually nice. Nobody asked if I had work done.
Longevity and Maintenance
The lifting effects lasted about 18 months for me. At two years, I looked like I did before treatment. Some doctors say results can last three years.
The Financial Investment: Hidden Costs
A mid-face thread lift costs more than just the procedure price. Hidden expenses can add up quickly over time. Smart budgeting includes planning for maintenance and aftercare products.
Initial Treatment Expense
My mid-face thread lift cost $2,800 in my area. This was average pricing. But it didn’t include special skincare products or touch-up treatments.
Ongoing Maintenance Considerations
To keep results, I need the procedure every 18-24 months. This makes the long-term cost much higher than one-time surgery.
Side Effects Nobody Prepared Me For
Every mid-face thread lift patient experiences some unexpected side effects. These aren’t dangerous but can be surprising and uncomfortable. Being prepared helps you stay calm during the healing process.
Unexpected Sensations
For six weeks, touching my face felt weird. Some areas were numb while others were extra sensitive. Certain facial expressions felt different than before.
Threading Visibility and Texture Changes
In cold weather, I could feel the threads more. Sometimes I could see their outline when making faces. This was temporary but noticeable.
Comparing Thread Lifts to Other Options
A mid-face thread lift sits between nonsurgical and surgical options. Understanding how it compares helps you make the right choice. Each treatment option has different benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Thread Lift vs. Traditional Facelift
Surgery gives more dramatic and longer-lasting results. Thread lifts are a middle option for people not ready for surgery. Recovery time is much shorter but results are smaller.
Thread Lift vs. Dermal Fillers
Fillers add volume while thread lifts provide lifting. For sagging skin, threading worked better than fillers would have. Some people get both treatments together.
Who Should Consider Mid-Face Thread Lifts
Not everyone is a good candidate for mid-face thread lift procedures. Age, skin condition, and expectations all play important roles. Understanding ideal candidates helps you determine if this treatment suits you.
Ideal Candidates
The best candidates are 35-55 years old with mild sagging. People with realistic expectations do best. Good skin elasticity helps achieve better results.
When to Skip This Treatment
People with severe sagging should consider surgery instead. Very thin skin doesn’t work well with threads. Those expecting dramatic changes should look elsewhere.
Tips for Choosing Your Practitioner
- Look for board-certified doctors with thread lift training
- Ask to see many before and after photos
- Avoid doctors who pressure you to schedule immediately
- Make sure they can answer all your questions
- Ask about their complication rates
- Request to speak with previous patients
- Check online reviews and credentials
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
Essential Questions for Your Doctor
How many thread lift procedures have you done? What’s your rate of complications? Can I talk to other patients? What if I’m not happy with results?
Understanding the Process
Ask about exactly which threads they’ll use. Find out how long results typically last. Understand what the recovery will be like. Know when you’ll see final results.
Conclusion
My mid-face thread lift taught me that cosmetic treatments rarely match marketing photos. But they can provide real improvement when you know what to expect. The treatment gave me a subtle lift that boosted my confidence.
Would I do it again? Yes, but only with complete understanding first. The key is finding an experienced doctor and having realistic expectations. Thread lifts enhance your looks rather than transform them completely.
If you’re thinking about a mid-face thread lift, remember every face is different. What worked for me might not be exactly your experience. But with honest information, you can decide if this treatment fits your goals.
The mirror still doesn’t lie. But now when I look into it, I see a refreshed version of myself. I look confident and naturally enhanced instead of dramatically different.