Deep Plane Facelift Surgery in Sydney NSW by Dr Turner

The deep plane facelift is an advanced facelifting technique that provides the most dramatic result among all other facelift techniques. It has the potential to significantly reverse the signs of ageing and take decades off your look.

When getting a facelift there are several types of lifting procedures you can choose from. The traditional facelift, also called SMAS facelift, can do wonders for most people. However, for some, it’s just not enough.

The deep plane facelift targets deeper structures compared to the traditional facelift (SMAS). It gives your surgeon access to the deep-retaining facial ligaments, facial muscles, and connective tissue. This allows more significant lifting and more natural results of the face compared to the SMAS facelift.

Dr Scott Turner is one of the top plastic surgeons performing deep-plane facelifts in Sydney and Newcastle. Dr Turner has developed his own variant of the deep plane facelift to provide the most natural results possible with outstanding reversal of skin ageing.

Understanding Facial Anatomy

To understand how a facelift works and how different types of facelifts compare, you need to know a little anatomy first. The face is made of several layers. From outside to inside, these are as follows:

Facial skin
SMAS – The Superficial MusculoAponeurotic System – This is a layer of connective tissue and superficial muscles covering the whole surface area of the face
The deeper plane – This is, for our purpose, the deepest layer of the face, containing the facial muscles and ligaments

Keep in mind that these are oversimplified to be easily understandable for everyone.

What is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift is a more invasive facelift variety. It goes an extra layer deeper compared to the traditional SMAS facelift. This allows Dr Turner to target and lift the deeper structures of the face, resulting in more significant and more natural lifting.

The oldest facelift techniques used to lift the skin alone. This, however, resulted in an unnaturally tight-looking face with an obvious “done” appearance. The skin was lifted, but all the deep droopy facial structures (muscles and connective tissue) remained lax and stretched.

Then came the SMAS facelift, and it was a revolution. It allowed surgeons to lift both the skin and the lax and droopy SMAS layers of the face. By doing so, surgeons were able to do more dramatic lifting and achieve more natural-looking results. The SMAS allows surgeons to lift several layers together, leading to long-lasting results. It’s now considered the standard facelift technique by most plastic surgeons.

The deep plane facelift technique came next as an option for people who want to get the most out of their facelift. Compared to the SMAS facelift, the deep plane lift goes an extra layer further. It goes below the SMAS layer and gives access to the facial ligaments and muscles of facial expression.

The deep plane facelift allows Dr Turner to release the ligaments and reposition them in a higher location. He can tighten the facial muscles and fix them higher up. Moreover, the deep layer access allows Dr Turner to target any herniated fat pads causing excessive droopy jowls on the sides of the face.

This more invasive technique leads to more lifting, more durable results, and a more natural appearance.

Are You a Good Candidate for Deep Plane Facelift?

The deep plane facelift is not for everyone. It’s usually recommended for people with more significant signs of facial ageing who would not fully benefit from a traditional facelift alone. As such, you might be a good candidate for a deep plane lift if:

You have puffy and droopy jowls obscuring your jawline
You have deep facial wrinkles
You have droopy and deflated cheeks
You have excess lax skin on your face, jawline, and neck
You have lax neck skin bands or rolls
You have a double chin
You have deep nasolabial folds (the skin folds extending from the nostrils outward)
You have marionette lines (vertical deep lines on the sides of your mouth)

All of these are considered reversible signs of facial ageing. A deep plane facelift can provide more dramatic improvement and take more years off your appearance compared to a traditional SMAS procedure.

If you only have mild signs of facial ageing, then a deep plane facelift may not be not necessary. A traditional SMAS facelift can be a perfect choice.

Benefits of Deep Plane Facelift

There are several benefits for a deep plane facelift that give it an advantage over other types of facelift. These include:

More dramatic lifting
More durable facelift results
Takes more years off your appearance (at least 10 years)
Allows more effective removal of jowls
Lifts the skin, SMAS, and deeper layers of the face
Allows better repair and repositioning of droopy muscles

See Past Patient Facelift Photos

The information provided is for general purposes only, it is not intended to replace a professional consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Invasive procedures carry inherent risks and potential complications which will be discussed in detail. Results vary and should be used only as a guide as every client is unique, which is why a second opinion is advisable. Learn more about the risks of plastic surgery at https://drturner.com.au/patient-resources/risks-complications-of-surgery/

See More Before and After Facelift Photos in Dr Turner’s Facelift Before and After Gallery

How is Deep Plane Facelift Performed?

A deep plane facelift is usually done under general anaesthesia (you’ll be asleep). Nevertheless, local anaesthesia is sometimes an option. The duration of a deep plane facelift varies from 2 to 4 hours depending on how much lifting and repair needs to be done.

The steps of a deep plane facelift usually consist of:

First, Dr Turner starts with the skin incisions. This usually starts high up in front of the ear, goes down to the earlobe, and then around and upward to the hairline behind the ear. This incision is done on both sides of the face
Through the incision, Dr Turner will dissect the deeper tissue of the face
Dr Turner will create a space under the SMAS layer, exposing the deeper layer of facial tissue
Once the deep plane is fully visible, Dr Turner will release the lax droopy ligaments from their attachment. He will then pull them up and fix them with sutures in a higher position in the face. This will be done on different ligaments to lift and tighten all the deep facial muscles
Any fat herniation that’s causing puffy jowls will be repaired
Once the deep plane is lifted up, the SMAS is also lifted and fixed in a higher position
This will pull all the facial structures and tighten the face. All that remains is the superficial excess lax skin. This will be cut out, and the remaining skin will be pulled to flatten any wrinkles and give your jaw, cheeks, and whole face a well-defined smooth contour
The wounds are finally closed with a fine suture line

In most cases, patients stay the night at the hospital after a deep plane facelift. Keep in mind that you aren’t allowed to drive after a facelift. Make sure to have arrangements in place for someone to pick you up and look after you during the first days of your recovery.

Recovery after Deep Plane Facelift Surgery

Although deep plane facelift is generally more invasive than the SMAS facelift, the recovery is pretty much the same. During your recovery period, you will likely experience symptoms like:

Swelling
Bruising
Mild pain
Numbness around the wounds

These usually peak during the first week of facelift recovery and then start to gradually decrease. All in all, the full recovery after a deep plane facelift usually takes 3-5 weeks. You can, however, get back to work and most of your daily routines much earlier.

You can usually resume light work 7-10 days after your procedure. Sports & Exercise should be minimal during the recovery period, however, walking is encouraged. You can try to pick up the pace as of the third week of facelift recovery and gradually increase your physical activity over the coming weeks.

The results of the deep plane facelift are immediately apparent once the bandages are taken off. The results will settle in around 6 weeks, and then will improve some more over the months to come as the residual swelling becomes absorbed.

Potential Risks & Complications of Deep Plane Facelift

The deep plane facelift is considered to be a safe procedure with minimal risks. Nevertheless, there’s no absolutely risk-free surgery. Some of the complications that rarely occur include:

Wound infection
Facial nerve injury
Salivary gland/duct injury
Seroma (fluid collection in the wound)
Hematoma (blood collection in the wound)

Although the risks of the deep plane facelift are rare, you can minimise them even more by choosing a certified experienced plastic surgeon. Dr Turner is considered as one of the top facial plastic surgeons in Sydney and Newcastle. His deep plane facelift technique allows him to achieve wonderful results with minimal surgical risks.

Deep Plane Facelift Surgery Sydney Cost – Fees & Prices – How much is a Deep Plane Facelift Surgery in Sydney?

Determining the cost of a deep plane facelift isn’t simple. There’s a lot that goes into calculating the price. Anaesthetic costs, hospital fees, surgeon fees, surgical time, and other things all play a part.

To get an estimate for your Deep Plane Facelift – please contact the team on 1300 64 11 99

During your first consultation, Dr Turner’s team will give you a quote of how much the deep plane facelift will cost you. In general, most of our patients find the procedure affordable compared to the results it offers.

Medicare and private health insurance in Australia do not usually cover deep plane facelift since it’s considered a purely cosmetic procedure.

Deep Plane Facelift Surgery FAQs

There’s no minimum or maximum age to get a facelift. In general, however, patients who need a deep plane facelift are aged between 50 and 70. Nevertheless, many patients can come at a younger or older age, and they all equally enjoy the full benefits of the procedure.

A deep plane facelift has the potential to take more than 10 years off your appearance. It’s the most effective type of facelift that leads to the most facial rejuvenation possible.

No. A deep plane facelift is not permanent. The skin will still age and the deep facial structures will still stretch due to the effect of ageing and gravity. Nevertheless, a deep plane facelift is considered the most durable type of facelift there is. Since the deeper facial structures are targeted, the result tends to be more long-standing.

There’s the superficial musculoaponeurotic system SMAS facelift, deep plane facelift, lower facelift, middle facelift (cheek lift), and upper facelift (brow lift). Depending on the severity of the signs of ageing and their location, the most suitable procedure will be recommended.

A deep plane facelift is not especially painful. Like any other facial rejuvenation procedure, there will be some pain involved. However, it’s nothing that can’t be handled with routine painkillers.

The scars of a deep plane facelift are almost invisible. The incision starts in front of the ear, goes down around the earlobe, and ends behind the ear. The scar is hidden within the natural curves of the face and the natural skin creases. This means that there won’t be any noticeable scars after a few months of your facelift.

There’s no right answer to this question. Both the SMAS and deep plane facelifts can achieve wonderful results. The choice of procedure depends on your facial anatomy, skin quality, the severity of the signs of ageing, and the results you are aiming for. A deep plane facelift is the better procedure for those who have more severe signs of ageing, more droopiness, and want the most lifting possible.

Your Facelift Consultation with Dr Turner

If you’re considering a facelift procedure, the very first step will be to meet with Dr Turner for a personal one on one consultation at his Sydney or Newcastle clinics. For many patients, we understand that this is a major decision, so we want to make the entire process as comfortable as possible. We’re here to explain each procedure in detail, so that you’re confident with your final decision.

To begin, Dr Turner will help you determine what procedure would be best, based on a number of key factors. Of course, every patient is unique, not only in terms of their skin and facial structure but also their wants and needs. Dr Turner will guide you, discussing the options available from non-surgical techniques to improve your facial appearance, to a mini-facelift technique through to a full facelift for the maximum benefit so that you can achieve the results you desire.

Dr Turner and his team will

Review different facelift and facial procedure options with you
Discuss all potential risks involved with facelift surgery
Outline how the surgery is performed
Provide an explanation of what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
Provide detailed cost and payment information.
Take photos and perform an examination
Answer all your questions

Next Steps

Always Do Your Research

Enquire to find out more about your surgery
Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure

Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?

A GP Referral is required to Consult with Dr Turner (under new AHPRA Regulations)
Please obtain a referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral

Making The Most Of Your Consultation

Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation
You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options
Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical exam so wear simple clothes
Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

Find out more about pricing and payment plans
Request more information about the procedure – call or contact us

How to Book Your Consultation

You can book your initial consultation by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment

BOOK A PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFO

To find out more information about surgery you can book a FREE 15-minute phone conversation with our Friendly Patient Care team via Calendly- Book Consultant 1 or Book Consultant 2

Contact us or call on 1300 437 758 to arrange your surgeon consultation in Sydney.

Email us for more information: enquiries@drturner.com.au

Deep Plane Facelift NSW