Nearly 16 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States alone in 2020 with more than 230,000 of those procedures being some form of a facelift, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  A deep plane facelift is a popular cosmetic procedure performed to restore a man or woman’s face to a younger, more youthful appearance. But what is a deep plane facelift? Continue reading to have all of your questions answered.

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What is a deep plane facelift?

A facelift, also known as rhytidectomy, is an invasive, commonly performed cosmetic procedure performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. A deep plane facelift is a facelift variation designed to reposition tissue, release specific ligaments, and remodel deeper attachments of the face, showcasing a younger, more natural-looking face.

Undergoing a deep plane facelift allows your board-certified plastic surgeon to achieve targeted, thorough lifting of certain areas without over-tightening the tissues. In addition, your surgeon can reposition the fat pads within the cheeks to better lift the mid-face area. Results of a deep plane facelift have proven to last much longer than that of a normal rhytidectomy.

Indications for a deep plane facelift

Both men and women alike find themselves inquiring about a facelift as they reach their 30s, 40s, and into their 50s - depending on how their facial structure, ligaments, and tissues hold up as they age. Is it time for you to consider a facelift?

A deep plane facelift is often indicated in those that experience:

Premature wrinkles

Although many people fear wrinkles, they are a natural part of the aging process due to a decrease in skin elasticity and collagen. However, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) light causes the collagen and elastic fibers in your body to break down quicker than normal, resulting in premature skin wrinkling.

Decreased skin elasticity

Skin is very elastic, allowing it to move graciously throughout the day to leave you with a youthful look and feel. As you age, your skin loses elasticity. However, the rate at which your skin experiences laxity depends on many things, such as genetics, lifestyle choices, diet, stress, smoking, sun exposure, and intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Good overall health

Maintaining good health should be made a priority in your daily life for many reasons, such as preventing long-term illness or chronic diseases. It also helps you to feel better about yourself, maintain adequate energy, and even helps you sleep better at night. Good health also plays a critical role in being eligible for a deep plane facelift. If you have poor health, continue negative lifestyle habits, and smoke, you may be less likely to be approved for rhytidectomy procedures, as they can make the healing process more difficult.

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Benefits of a deep plane facelift

Cosmetic procedures are performed for various reasons, whether it be plastic surgery following a traumatic injury or simply to help a person look and feel better about themselves. There are many benefits of a deep plane facelift, such as:

Fat redistribution

As you age, the structure of the face changes due to a decrease in skin elasticity, a decrease in collagen, and other various factors. A deep plane facelift is a common cosmetic procedure performed that allows a board-certified plastic surgeon to change and enhance the structure of your face by redistributing fat, correcting eye droop, and restoring volume to the mid-face area, including the cheeks, allowing for a more youthful, enhanced appearance.

Smooth skin

During the natural aging process, various hormones and critical vitamins are gradually reduced, resulting in undesirable skin wrinkling for both men and women. A deep plane facelift allows your Houston board-certified plastic surgeon to restore tightness and smooth skin to the face and neck without having that “unnatural” appearance.

Enhanced confidence

Self-confidence plays a crucial role in a person’s mental health and overall health and wellbeing. When you experience premature wrinkling of the skin, you are at an increased risk of depression. A deep plane facelift allows you to regain confidence, look better, and feel better.

Younger Look

A deep plane facelift can help you to look more than 5 years younger, and those results last at least 5 and ½ years. 

Possible complications of a deep plane facelift

Although a desirable cosmetic procedure, a deep plane facelift comes with higher risks than a basic rhytidectomy. These possible complications include:

• Hematoma: a hematoma is the formation and pooling of blood beneath the skin. Though rare, it is a serious complication and should be closely monitored. Expert board-certified plastic surgeons report avoiding rigorous activity following a deep plane facelift to reduce the risk of developing a hematoma.

• Nerve injury: a deep plane facelift involves dissection below the facial nerves, increasing the risk of nerve injury. Many nerve injuries resolve themselves within 3 to 6 months although there is the potential of permanent injury.

• Bruising and swelling: following a successful deep plane facelift, swelling and bruising are expected in the weeks and early months following. Bruising and swelling will typically subside with time. However, some patients report experiencing prolonged symptoms. If you find yourself concerned regarding your symptoms following this cosmetic procedure, you should reach out to your surgeon for a consultation as soon as possible.

How much does a deep plane facelift cost?

A deep plane facelift cost depends on many factors, such as:

• Location
• Board-certified surgeon
• Length and involvement of the procedure
• Anesthesia costs
• Preparation tests

Typically, a deep plane facelift costs $20,000 to $30,000. It is important to note that many cosmetic surgical procedures do not meet the qualifications of the use of insurance, making the financial burden fall solely on the patient. If you find yourself concerned about the cost of surgery, ask your surgeon if they offer payment plans or a care credit card.

Deep plane facelift recovery time

Complete recovery following a deep plane facelift can take quite a bit of time as this cosmetic surgery is more invasive than a typical facelift. You can expect at least 3 weeks of bruising, discomfort, and swelling —- if not longer. During the first one to two weeks following surgery, you must wear a compression garment, neck support, and drain to help with swelling and allow excess fluids to drain appropriately.

Many board-certified surgeons report you should refrain from returning to work for at least two weeks and avoid strenuous activity for at least six weeks. The time frame of you returning to work depends on how well you are recovering and the type of job you have. For example, if you have an office job, you can often return to work sooner than a public servant whose job requires significant physical activity, such as lifting heavy things.

Although many people report a significant decrease in swelling by week three following surgery, it is possible for you to experience bruising and swelling to last up to one-year post-op. This can be especially the case if you have bleeding disorders or take prescription blood thinners daily for other medical conditions. If you experience prolonged bruising or swelling, it is important that you consult with your surgeon regularly to ensure that you heal appropriately.

Request a Deep Plane Facelift Consultation Today with the Houston Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and Dr. Bradford Patt, MD.

A deep plane facelift is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure designed to give you back your confidence with smoother, wrinkle-free, youthful skin around the face and neck areas. If you find yourself unhappy with your facial appearance, a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon may be the appropriate next step in regaining self-confidence. You must be open and honest regarding your lifestyle habits, such as if you smoke or drink alcohol in excessive amounts, as well as your past medical history and medications you are taking, as this can greatly impact your healing process.

Please reach out to Dr. Bradford Patt and the staff at Houston Center for Facial Plastic Surgery to book your deep plain facelift consultation.