Plastic Surgery
Deep Plane Facelift
All about deep plane facelift surgery
As we age, wrinkles can develop over once-smooth skin, causing skin that used to be tight to hang and sag. A deep plane facelift seeks to counteract these effects, resulting in a more youthful, brighter appearance for patients of any age.
Unlike traditional facelifts, which might merely tighten the skin, the deep plane method is a more targeted approach to restoring a youthful contour. In addition to traditional facelift procedures, our best deep plane facelift surgeon in Australia, Dr Honeybrook, has the expertise and considerable skill to perform a deep plane facelift in Sydney. A deep plane facelift operates on an entirely different tissue level than the older techniques.
Because of the differences in how a deep plane facelift in Australia is performed, not many doctors are qualified to successfully execute such a procedure. The results can lead to a more natural, vibrant you.
Despite its numerous positive attributes, the SMAS facelift can rely partially on skin tightening, which can lead to a more unnatural-looking appearance if not performed by a highly skilled facelift surgeon. The reality is that some aging effects occur below the SMAS layer. On the other hand, the deep plane facelift maintains the skin and underlying tissues in alignment by detaching and repositioning the entire system as a single unit.
While the SMAS relies on the tension of the pulled skin and muscle to produce the results, a deep plane facelift puts no such strain on the skin or muscle, instead simply adjusting the positioning of the facial tissue for a more permanent effect. The results of a deep plane facelift are subtler and more natural, allowing younger patients to stave off the effects of aging early on rather than waiting to correct serious flaws after they have occurred.
Am I a candidate for deep plane facelift surgery?
Before deciding whether to pursue surgery, you must consider if you are a good candidate for surgery:
- Are good mental and physical health
- Are a nonsmoker
- Have realistic expectations of the outcome
- Have sufficient skin elasticity
- Understand the recovery process
- You’re able to take sufficient recovery time off of work
- You are a nonsmoker or are willing to stop smoking at least 8 weeks before surgery and 8 weeks post-surgery
The Surgery Process
The decision to undertake any type of elective surgery should be a well thought and long process. We do not recommend rushing into any procedures. Below is a guide on the surgery process
The first step in finding out more about facelift is to schedule a private consultation. In this consultation, you will meet directly with your facial plastic surgeon. This gives you an opportunity to discuss your concerns and get all of your questions answered.
You will have the opportunity to tell the doctor the type of facelift you envision for yourself. Feel free to bring a photo of a celebrity or other person who has had a similar procedure. At our clinic, we have many photographs to help you through the process, including people with a similar facial structure, so you can see the “before and after.”
During your personalised consultation for a facelift, your surgeon will ask you about your medical history, as well as any issue of substance abuse, tobacco use, or alcohol use. Furthermore, you will need to bring in all medications and supplements you currently take. Part of the consultation involves a full and accurate medical history. Tell Dr. Honeybrook about any past surgeries, procedures, and complications you have experienced in your life. He can then make a decision based upon your general health, and whether you are a good candidate for the procedure – most people are.
At the end of your consultation, Dr. Honeybrook will make recommendations about the best course of action to take for your facelift to achieve the most attractive result. Every person is different, and the facial structure may need to be altered significantly or just minimally, depending upon what needs to be achieved.
He will also advise you about any further cosmetic procedures available to give you the best possible appearance, such as a facelift, neck lift, brow lift, or chin augmentation.
Once you’ve booked your surgery date, a pre surgery appointment will be scheduled 4 weeks prior to your date. This is your chance to meet with Dr Honeybrook again, ask any further questions, go over the surgery plan and take some images. This appointment ensures you’re well prepared for the upcoming surgery date.
The night before and morning of surgery – As with all surgeries, you will need to stop eating and drinking fluids for a specific period of time the evening prior to your nose job, most often midnight. In some cases, defined by your physician, you may need to take certain medications with a small sip of water, e.g. beta-blockers, cholesterol medications, or other medicines. For the least possible chance of infection, we ask that you shower with an anti-microbial soap the evening before and in the morning of your surgery. This removes and discourages the growth of bacteria on the surface of your skin. Try not to cause too much irritation to the face, while scrubbing.
Don’t wear piercings or jewellery to the hospital. We don’t want them to get lost, and they may have bacteria on them.
Once you arrive at the hospital, all the relevant checks will be taken with nursing staff. You’ll meet your surgeon just before the procedure to ensure you’re feeling ready. When you go into the operating room, you will be administered the appropriate anaesthesia.
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be completely asleep. Your surgeon will make incisions in discrete areas, to hide the scars. Through these incisions, fat and underlying tissues are sculpted and redistributed to form the desired contours. Muscles and other deep tissues may be lifted, tightened, or otherwise altered. Excess skin is trimmed away to reduce sagging, and then the remaining skin is pulled tight across the new contours of the face.
A less invasive alternative to this traditional facelift technique is the limited incision facelift, wherein the procedure is performed through shorter incisions at the temples, around the ear, and potentially through the lower eyelids or upper lip.
The surgery normally takes around 4-5 hours.
You may be required to stay overnight in hospital.
Rhinoplasty surgery is not a perfect procedure and like any surgery, it does carry risks. We want all our patients to make an informed decision about their healthcare and chosen procedures, which is why we are upfront and honest about all aspects of this procedure including risks.
Specific risks and complications associated with facelift surgery include:
- Hair loss around the scars, this is usually temporary but sometimes may be permanent
- Loss of skin due to impaired blood supply. This may require a skin graft
- Bruising and swelling
- Numbness around operated sites. In most cases this is temporary and will improve over many months
- Deformity of the earlobe
- Slight difference in appearance between the right and left side of the face
- Damage to the facial nerve, which occurs in about one in every one hundred patients. It can result in partial loss of movement and a “lopsided” appearance of the face. In rare cases, the damage may be permanent
- Revisional surgery may be necessary to correct complications
Some general risks and complications of surgery may include:
- Heavy bleeding from an operated site
- Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases
- Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions
- The formation of a large blood clot (haematoma) beneath an incision site that may require drainage
- Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s)
- Keloids and hypertrophic scars that are raised, red and thickened scars. These may form over the healed incisions. They may be itchy, annoying and unsightly but are not a threat to health
- Slow healing, often related to smoking or diabetes
- Separation of wound edges
- Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to anaesthesia
Book your consultation for a deep plane facelift in Sydney with One Cosmetic today
At One Cosmetic, we pride ourselves on ensuring our patients receive the best possible care from their initial consultation to recovery. During your first consultation, you’ll be able to address any initial concerns and ask as many questions as you like. You can also view our deep plane facelift before and after photographs of people with a similar facial structure, so you have a better understanding of what to expect. Please be advised that results are specific to each patient.
Dr Honeybrook will provide you with a customised treatment plan to achieve optimal results and will talk you through our range of cosmetic treatments and surgical procedures to address any other areas of concern you may have. Our dedicated team, comprised of plastic surgeons, cosmetic physicians, registered nurses, and dermal aestheticians, will also provide comprehensive post-operative instructions to ensure your incisions heal correctly for the best results. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our medical team, who would be delighted to assist you further.
Frequently Asked Questions
We regularly get asked about our procedures, so we have put together a couple of questions we get asked on a regular basis. If there is something else you would like to know, please get in touch!
Unfortunately not. This procedure is seen as a cosmetic treatment, therefore health funds and Medicare will not contribute.
Certainly not! Facial cosmetic procedures have been successful on individuals up to 80-years-old. Unless you have a dangerous medical condition, you may be a candidate for a facelift. Advances in technology have led to a dramatic decrease in the amount of risk associated with facial plastic surgeries.
For some, the procedure will yield fair results within a few weeks to one month. However, each person will heal differently, and the procedure may require up to six months of time to heal in the expected fashion. Be patient because the surgery will be the hardest part of your decision to improve your appearance and confidence.
Deep plane facelift before and after photos
View our deep plane facelift before and after images below. Please be advised that the results are specific to the patient. Results may vary based on factors such as genetics, diet, and exercise.
