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Richmond Plastic Surgeons

Surgical Excellence in a World-Class Practice Setting

At Richmond Plastic Surgeons, we uphold the highest standards of safety, integrity, and excellence throughout your cosmetic journey, ensuring a rewarding treatment experience in Virginia. Patients visiting Richmond Plastic Surgeons enjoy personalized concierge care, access to today’s most cutting-edge technologies, and stunning aesthetic results tailored to their wishes. Our board-certified plastic surgeons, licensed aestheticians, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants work together to help you achieve your ideal appearance and move through life with enhanced confidence and peace of mind. If you are in Richmond, Midlothian, or the surrounding regions of Virginia, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to schedule a private consultation with our team.

What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

For patients with more advanced signs of aging and those who desire the most natural-looking transformation possible, a deep plane facelift is a proven solution. Rather than merely pulling back loose skin, the surgery releases the anchoring facial ligaments to better elevate and reposition the underlying layers of muscle, connective tissue, and fat. Because it lifts rather than pulls, a deep plane facelift results in less superficial skin trauma, reducing recovery time and discomfort. Patients often see their results extend a decade or more.

beautiful woman with blonde hair smiling

The Deep Plane Facelift at a Glance

What Does It Treat?

Like a traditional facelift, the deep plane facelift focuses on rejuvenating the lower portion of the face, correcting loose, sagging skin, drooping jowls, a wilting jawline, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines.

Specialized Techniques

During a deep plane facelift, your surgeon will release key ligaments (the zygomatic retaining ligament, the masseteric retaining ligament, the mandibular retaining ligament, and the cervical retaining ligament) with the goal of gently elevating the entire facial structure. This provides the most natural result possible. 

Longevity of Results

Results from a deep plane facelift are known to last 10-15 years.

Recovery

The initial healing period after a deep plane facelift can last 2-3 weeks, during which time patients will wear a supportive compression garment. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be postponed for 4-6 weeks. 

Risks

Potential complications with a deep plane facelift include swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, poor reactions to anesthesia, scarring, nerve injury, fluid buildup, and others. Choosing an experienced, board-certified specialist at Richmond Plastic Surgeons in Virginia can greatly reduce surgical risks.

What Are the Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift?

When a deep plane facelift is performed with technical precision and consummate artistry by our esteemed, board-certified plastic surgeons, the procedure comes with a wide range of impressive benefits, including the following:

  • Tackles the foundational causes behind facial aging
  • Provides a highly natural, elegant outcome
  • Changes can last well over a decade
  • A strategic solution for jowls, a lax jawline, and midface sagging
  • Rewinds the clock on facial aging
  • Less postoperative facial trauma than with conventional techniques
  • Enhances confidence and self-esteem

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Deep Plane Facelift?

Patients in their late 30s all the way to their 60s can enjoy the positive benefits of a deep plane facelift. Many individuals have tried non-surgical solutions in the past, such as dermal fillers and energy-based treatments, but are now finding that they desire a more dramatic and lasting transformation. As long as you are a healthy non-smoker with realistic expectations, you will make an excellent candidate for a deep plane facelift in Richmond, Virginia. Our team will meet with you for a detailed consultation process, during which we will assess your medical and surgical history to make sure the procedure will be safe and effective. 

Understanding the Deep Plane Facelift Procedure

Before beginning the surgical process, our team will go over your plan one last time, answering any last-minute questions. We will then administer general anesthesia so that you sleep peacefully throughout your treatment. Your surgeon will create small incisions within the fine creases of the ears stretching into the hairline. This ensures that scarring is later well-hidden. 

The facial ligaments will be released, which allows our team to elevate and reposition the underlying tissues, muscles, and fat for the most natural-looking improvements possible. Once all changes are complete, the skin is redraped in a tension-free manner, and the incisions are closed with advanced suturing techniques. The whole process can take from 3-5 hours.

Richmond Plastic Surgeons

Deep Plane Facelift Recovery

After surgery, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and assist you for the first 24-48 hours. Swelling, bruising, and soreness will peak in the first few days and then gradually begin to subside. You should take your prescription pain medications and sleep with your head elevated. A compression garment should be worn temporarily to help further reduce swelling. You will attend your first postoperative follow-up appointment one week after surgery. Within two weeks, most patients can expect to resume normal activities while still being careful to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. 

Schedule Your Deep Plane Facelift Consultation in Virginia Today!

A deep plane facelift in Virginia can restore a positive self-image and take your confidence to new heights. Contact us today to set up a private, informative consultation with our team of dedicated aesthetic practitioners and board-certified plastic surgeons. We are excited to speak with you and create a customized treatment plan that leads to a naturally beautiful, refreshed appearance.

Deep Plane Facelift FAQs

How Is a Deep Plane Facelift Different From a SMAS Lift?

The Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) consists of fibrous connective tissue running beneath the facial skin. Connected to the facial muscle groups, the SMAS forms the supportive scaffolding for the face. While a SMAS facelift will tighten and firm this underlying structure, a deep plane facelift goes a step further by releasing the anchoring facial ligaments and repositioning the muscles, tissue, and fat without causing undue tension. This produces the most natural look possible when correcting pronounced signs of aging.

Is a Deep Plane Facelift Painful?

Patients feel no pain or discomfort during a deep plane facelift because they are sleeping peacefully under anesthesia or sedation. During the first week of recovery, it is common to feel some soreness. This can be well-managed with prescription pain medications provided by our team. Within around 4-5 days, most patients can switch to over-the-counter painkillers.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Most patients can expect around 4-5 appointments, including their consultation, pre-operative meeting, surgery date, and follow-up sessions.

How Long Until I See Results?

Residual swelling and bruising after a deep plane facelift can last for some time, preventing you from immediately enjoying your final results. Within 4-6 weeks, swelling will fade, and the skin will settle into place. By 3 months post-op, you will notice your more refined, elegant facial shape becoming evident.

Can I Combine a Deep Plane Facelift With Other Procedures?

Yes. Our team often pairs a deep plane facelift with a neck lift to more comprehensively rewind the clock on aging. Facial fat transfer can also be performed to enhance volume in the cheeks, lips, and temples. Eyelid surgery and a brow lift are also popular options. We will discuss your goals in depth during your private consultation and curate the ideal treatment plan for addressing multiple aesthetic issues simultaneously.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Deep Plane Facelift?

Our board-certified plastic surgeons in Richmond utilize today’s most advanced techniques and adhere to stringent safety protocols to greatly reduce the likelihood of complications. However, there are certain inherent risks with all surgeries. For a deep plane facelift, risks include:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Redness
  • Infection
  • Asymmetry
  • Poor reactions to anesthesia
  • Changes in skin sensation
  • Poor scarring
  • Nerve or muscle injury

How Much Does a Deep Plane Facelift Cost in Richmond?

Pricing with a deep plane facelift factors in the surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, postoperative garment fees, medications fees, and others. Each surgery is customized to the individual, so pricing can vary depending on the extent of the changes created and whether other treatments, such as facial fat grafting or a neck lift, are added on to enhance results. We will ensure you have clarity about all expenses and costs related to your procedure after completing your private consultation in Richmond, VA.

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