The deep plane facelift is an advanced technique that releases the muscle layer under the skin and allows it to be repositioned without tension providing a more natural looking result, rather than pulling the skin layer, which can give a tight look.
Under the skin is a kind of muscular sheet that covers much of the face and neck called SMAS. It is this sheet of muscle that sags and loosens that can cause the skin to drop down with gravity over time.
This SMAS layer is attached with strong ligaments to the tissues under it, which include other muscles, bone, etc. So, from the outside in, there is skin, SMAS, and deeper tissues with the SMAS attached to these deeper tissues through strong ligaments.
The regular facelift involves getting under the skin layer only and just folding the muscle layer over itself to tighten it (see illustrations).
The surgery is taking place under the skin. The muscle is not released. Rather sutures are placed to fold it onto itself. Because the muscle is not released from the deeper layers, this technique may cause stretching and tension and the result may not be as long lasting.
The muscle layer (SMAS) is not lifted nor supported. Surgeons have found that operating only under the skin layer often creates that tight, stretched, unnatural look. Also, because the skin is elastic, the results do not last as long because the skin loosens again after a few months.
With a deep plane facelift, the surgeon operates under the muscle layer (SMAS) to release the ligaments tethering it. This release allows a more complete and tension-free (no tightness) repositioning of the muscle and skin to its original youthful position (see illustrations).
Deep plane facelift. The surgery takes place under the muscle. The ligaments are released.
The muscle is then lifted and repositioned more freely and without tension or stretch.
The excess skin is then removed.
This advanced surgical technique also provides an improvement of the “midface” area. Because the muscle is more thoroughly and completely released to be mobilized to a higher, more youthful position, the resulting rejuvenation is more radiant as it affects the highlights of the cheeks and cheekbones in a subtle but remarkable fashion.
In comparison, a traditional facelift doesn’t treat sagged cheekbone and hollowed cheek areas, typically found in the aged face.
The majority of Dr. Samaha’s patients are in their mid-40s to mid-70s, with the majority in their 50s and 60s.
In the last 10 to 15 years, there has been a growing trend toward patients opting to have surgery earlier rather than waiting for aging changes to be more advanced. Indeed, people now prefer to address early signs of aging more proactively to “nip them in the bud” and preempt a more aged appearance. The advantage is enjoying the benefits of the surgery for longer.
In general, 10 to 15 years. This does not mean that after that time, patients “lose” the benefit of the surgery. Quite the contrary, patients retain the benefit of the surgery for years to come.
For example, a 65-year-old patient may, after surgery, look like they are in their early 50s. They will continue to age but will still have the benefit of having brought the clock back such that at 75, they will appear to be in their early 60s.
The cost of facelift surgery depends on many factors, including:
The facelift usually includes a neck lift. The result in the lower face and neck is remarkable. Our patients will frequently opt to have additional procedures to address other facial areas affected by the aging process, such as the eyes, the brows, and the lips with procedures like eyelid lifts (blepharoplasty), brow repositioning, and lip lift, respectively.
Most good surgeons will take 3 to 4 hours to complete the surgery (facelift and neck lift together). It is a meticulous exercise that takes an experienced surgeon time to complete. If additional procedures are performed, such as eyelid rejuvenation or brow repositioning, then it can take about 5 hours.
A double board-certified otolaryngologist whose practice focuses exclusively on facial plastic surgery, Dr. Samaha is highly qualified in facial aesthetics. Learn more about our physician and how he’s carefully refined his skills to sculpt your beautiful face.
A double board-certified otolaryngologist whose practice focuses exclusively on facial plastic surgery, Dr. Samaha is highly qualified in facial aesthetics. Learn more about our physician and how he’s carefully refined his skills to sculpt your beautiful face.
No. In fact, because there is no tension on the skin, this leads to thinner, less perceptible scars. Dr. Samaha dedicates a large portion of the surgery time to carefully closing the incisions to create virtually invisible scars. In fact, most patients cannot detect their scars afterwards, even with their hair pulled back, and they report that their hairdresser cannot see the scars either.
Two weeks. Although traditional facelift surgery recovery can often last several weeks, the overwhelming majority of patients undergoing facelift in our Montreal clinic are able to return to daily normal life after 2 weeks without obvious traces of surgery. This relatively short recovery time is the result of Dr. Samaha’s Maximum Result Minimum Recovery™ approach.
Following about 20 years of research, experience, and fine-tuning, Dr. Samaha devised a system he calls the Maximum Result Minimum Recovery™ approach. This approach encompasses the patient’s entire journey, including the preoperative preparation, the surgery itself, and the postoperative period. The goal is to make the process of surgery easy to tolerate, including a painless surgery and a shorter recovery period.
Examples of some of the measures and techniques include the use of a less invasive “twilight” anesthesia and minimally invasive surgical techniques. The result is less inflammation with minimal swelling, bruising, and scarring during the healing period (see photos below). Learn more about Dr. Samaha’s Maximum Result Minimum Recovery™ system.
Dr. Samaha has developed techniques and methods to minimize swelling and bruising after surgery for his patients to shorten their recovery. This has culminated in his Maximum Result Minimum Recovery™ system.
Yes. Like any surgery, the risk is very low when performed by an experienced surgeon. Of course, if the surgeon does not have extensive experience with facial surgery or performs facelifts infrequently, there is a higher risk. Dr. Samaha has a great deal of experience with this technique and has been performing it regularly for many years.
The swelling associated with a deep plane facelift is minimal compared to traditional techniques. Bruising is also significantly less. Much of the swelling is noticeable in the first 5 to 6 days, with the remaining minor amount resolving in the following week.
No. A feeling of tightness is normal in the first week, but patients do not report any pain. The overwhelming majority of patients do not take any pain medication, though it is prescribed on an as-needed basis.
A head dressing is placed for the first 24 hours only. After it is removed, a lighter elastic (ACE) bandage is provided, which is applied by the patient, as needed for support and comfort for the remainder of the week.
While a facelift provides a significant and natural rejuvenation, nonsurgical options such as BOTOX COSMETIC®/Dysport Aesthetic® and skin fillers complement the results of a facelift by addressing areas the surgery does not address. It’s generally not a decision between either injectables or facelift surgery, but rather, how injectables can enhance and prolong the rejuvenating effect of a facelift when they are used appropriately and administered by a skilled injector.
Would you like to discover how a deep plane facelift in Montreal, Quebec, could rejuvenate your look? Request your consultation with Dr. Samaha online or call us at (514) 613-3004 to make your appointment. Dr. Samaha attracts patients from Quebec City, Laval, and Gatineau.
