Deep Plane Facelift
Your face is your identity. However, over time, sagging facial tissues, loose skin, loss of cushiony fat, and the development of wrinkles begin to override the face you’ve always identified with. This can result in frustration as your inner and outer identities no longer match. Fortunately, deep plane facelift surgery can address and even reverse these issues, helping you recapture fresh, youthful contours that reflect your inner vivacity.
Dr. Heath Charvet is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with an intricate knowledge of the anatomy of the face and is highly experienced in deep plane facelift techniques. If you are unhappy with how aging has affected your face, Dr. Heath can help you achieve comprehensive, natural-looking facial rejuvenation with his specialized expertise.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
One of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures is the facelift. The technical term for a facelift is “rhytidectomy,” which stems from the Greek root word “rhytid,” meaning “wrinkle.” While wrinkles are certainly improved with a traditional facelift procedure, a deep plane rhytidectomy is designed to address more advanced signs of aging, such as:
- Sagging skin
- Fat loss
- Nasolabial folds
- Jowls in the cheeks or along the jaw
- Excess skin on the neck
Dr. Heath’s facelift techniques go one step further to produce a lifted and youthful appearance for our patients. At Magnolia Plastic Surgery & MedSpa, Dr. Heath provides a comprehensive deep plane facelift in conjunction with a neck lift and non-surgical treatments to address deeper facial structures, resulting in a more extensive facial rejuvenation. This surgical procedure is customized to your needs to refresh the areas of the face you are most concerned about, including the eyes, cheeks, mid-face, mouth, neck, and more.
Am I a Candidate for Deep Plane Facelift Surgery?
If you want to reverse the signs of aging on your face and rejuvenate your skin, facelift surgery may be a viable option for you. Ideal candidates are those who are in good health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations.
The best way to learn if you are a candidate is to schedule a consultation so Dr. Heath can evaluate your face and bone structure, review your medical history, discuss your goals and options, and create a treatment plan tailored to you.
To determine your candidacy for deep plane facelift surgery, schedule a consultation with Magnolia Plastic Surgery by calling (504) 571-5908.
What Technique Is Best for Facelift Surgery?
While there are various facelift techniques available, Dr. Heath specializes in a unique treatment plan that offers patients superior, long-lasting results. This three-step process, which includes a deep plane facelift with a neck lift, facial nanofat grafting, and CO2 laser resurfacing, requires specialized training and an intimate understanding of facial anatomy.
Deep Plane Facelift
Dr. Heath specializes in the deep plane technique, which involves an incision similar to the full facelift but deals with structures deep in the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer. Whereas a standard facelift works with the SMAS layer as-is, ligaments in the face are released in a deep plane facelift, allowing for better manipulation of the SMAS layer. This technique can minimize or eradicate nasolabial folds and create a more profound lift that lasts longer. This technique requires a surgeon to have a more thorough knowledge of facial anatomical structures and often involves a slightly longer recovery.
Dr. Heath combines his deep plane facelifts with neck lift surgery for a seamless transition from face to neck and more comprehensive rejuvenation.
Facial Nanofat Grafting and CO2 Laser Resurfacing
After the deep plane facelift procedure, Dr. Heath combines nanofat grafting and CO2 laser resurfacing to restore facial volume, promote collagen production, and improve skin tone and texture. Facial fat atrophy is a telltale sign of aging, so these two rejuvenating steps of the process are essential to restoring a youthful-looking appearance.
What Is the Difference Between a Deep Plane Facelift and Traditional Facelift Techniques?
At Magnolia Plastic Surgery & MedSpa, we aim to provide our patients with the longest-lasting results possible. Dr. Heath and his team believe accessing the deep plane provides truly superior results compared to a traditional full facelift.
The traditional full facelift or SMAS techniques focus on manipulating the SMAS layer with plication (folding), imbrication (overlapping), or excision. However, without the ligamental release, the SMAS layer is still tethered in place, making these techniques a minor improvement on the skin-only facelifts of the 1950s. SMAS techniques used in traditional facelift procedures cannot, for example, eradicate nasolabial folds like deep plane techniques can. Mid-facelifts are another popular buzzword in the world of facial rejuvenation surgery, but a mid-facelift or mini facelift will almost certainly require a touchup procedure within a few years.
To determine your candidacy for a deep plane facelift, schedule a consultation with Magnolia Plastic Surgery by calling (504)571-5908.
What Is Deep Plane Facelift Recovery Like?
Deep plane facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Be sure to arrange for someone else to drive you home on the day of your procedure. Bruising and swelling are normal, as are feelings of moderate soreness and discomfort, which may be helped by pain medication. In addition, Dr. Heath uses systemic and local tranexamic acid (TXA), which can reduce inflammation and bleeding during the recovery process.
You will be discharged on the day of surgery with a large head dressing and a drain. Both will be removed the following day. Sutures will be removed five or six days after surgery. A neck wrap will be worn at night for weeks two through six. Dr. Heath will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions, including incision care.
- For the first week after surgery, your priority will be to rest. Ideally, you will have a friend, family member, or care companion to look after you and help you around the house and with medication management.
- Redness and swelling from the CO2 laser treatment are typical and tend to fade 5–10 days after your treatment.
- During week two of recovery, many patients feel presentable to the public and comfortable running errands, such as grocery shopping.
- By the start of week three, you can return to your normal activities, including working at a desk and wearing makeup.
Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are prohibited for three weeks. Use of hair dye is prohibited for four weeks. Plan your personal care appointments accordingly, and arrange for help with household tasks.
What Results Can I Expect From My Deep Plane Facelift?
While a deep plane facelift tends to have a longer recovery time compared to a traditional facelift, the results are worth the wait. As bruising and swelling dissipate, your final results will become more and more visible and you can begin to enjoy your rejuvenated, refreshed appearance.
While patients are presentable to the public around 10–14 days after surgery, it can take up to six months for full healing to occur and normal sensation to return to the face in terms of texture, sensitivity, and loss of tightness.
After several weeks, your face and neck will be visibly refreshed, with smoother, more youthful contours. You can expect to enjoy your results for many years to come, often a decade or more. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and daily sun protection for the best results.
Why Choose Dr. Heath for Your Deep Plane Facelift?
Dr. Heath Charvet is a double board-certified plastic surgeon possessing a unique and intimate understanding of facial anatomy. His specialized training in advanced techniques and cutting-edge technologies brings a perfectly contoured touch to his work that patients can’t find anywhere else.
Dr. Heath works with each patient to create a specially tailored deep plane facelift plan to cultivate the youthful-looking results they aspire to achieve. A deep plane facelift is a significant facial rejuvenation procedure, and the team at Magnolia Surgery & MedSpa will be there for you every step of the way with personalized care and meticulously crafted results.
There are no shortcuts to perfection. Dr. Heath’s specialized deep plane facelift, neck lift, and non-surgical treatment plan are carefully designed to provide the most comprehensive, rejuvenating results possible.
How Much Does a Deep Plane Facelift Cost in New Orleans?
The cost of a deep plane facelift varies depending on the technique used and other factors. During your consultation, Dr. Heath will create a treatment plan based on your needs and goals. After this is established, he will provide you with a fee estimate.
To make cosmetic surgery accessible to our patients, Magnolia Plastic Surgery & MedSpa can help you discover low-interest medical financing to make your deep plane facelift affordable.
Want to Learn More About Deep Plane Facelift Surgery in New Orleans, LA?
If you’d like to rejuvenate your face for a lifted, refreshed, youthful look, it’s essential to seek a highly qualified surgeon. Dr. Heath is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in providing beautiful results to his patients. His welcoming team at Magnolia Plastic Surgery & MedSpa is dedicated to curating a pleasant and comfortable patient journey.