Type of Facelift Best for a 56-year-old Woman?

The most important goal of a facelift procedure is what the facelift will do for you and your unique anatomy. The most effective way of accomplishing this is through a very experienced surgeon who listens to you, and creates a procedure that maximizes your result.
We do not typically perform either the traditional SMAS or the deep plane lifts as they reduce tissue when the SMAS is pulled and then resected. We prefer multivector operations where volume and skin are treated differently, each pulling and restructuring in their optimal direction for the patient's anatomy and aesthetic needs. Not every patient's tissues should be pulled at 45 degrees, or 60 degrees, to achieve the best result. Especially if the skin goes along with the deep layer (i.e. deep plane or composite), loss of the sideburn and a high lateral tension appearance can result.
Nor is any one technique right for every patient. A patient with flat cheekbones requires a completely different technique than one with excessively prominent cheekbones.
Volume replacement goes hand in hand with pulling, since both drooping and loss of volume have typically occurred.
Good earwork is the hallmark of a top plastic surgeon. Examine the pictures carefully and critically for how the ears appear after the procedure!
The neck should typically be addressed as well, not just through facelift incisions but through an incision below the chin. How this is performed varies widely, and patients should examine each plan for how logical it seems, as well as what results the patients in the before-after photos have obtained.
A well done facelift often combines ancillary proeceures such as cheeklifts, upper eyelid surgery, browlifts, lip lifts, laser resurfacing, DAO release, LiveFill (R) placement, etc. The 360 facelift concept of looking at the face as a whole and addressing all (or as close to all as technology permits) is preferable to having a standard way of doing every facelift, in my opinion.
As often as not, patients have had prior "work". Rather than exacerbate the problems of the past, the plan should directly target "older style work" to reduce or eliminate signs of surgery. Specific, targeted steps are necessary to accomplish any revision work in particular, and a harmonious result in general. It will not occur by chance.
http://drbrent.com/360facelift-procedure.php

I wouldn't get too caught up in the technicalities of angles and surgical details from one surgeon to another. Each surgeon's facelift technique is going to vary slightly from one another, and there are MANY different opinions from experts all over the world regarding the best techniques for facelifting (deep plane, biplanar, etc.). Keep in mind also that the nomenclature of various techniques is going to vary somewhat from one surgeon to another as well. I would focus on finding a surgeon that you are comfortable with and trust. Look at their before and after pictures to see if you think they are achieving nice results and that their patients look natural. 
All the best,

Do you learn how to build a house before you have one built? Of course you don't, so why get so focused on the type of facelift technique to undergo? That is for the surgeon to decide.
This is how YOU decide how to proceed: Have a few consults and let each doctor address your concerns and explain what surgery you need. Then look at before and after photos of patients who have had similar procedures done--you can even ask to speak to their patients who have had the same surgery. When you look at the before and after photos, decide which patients look better to you. Remember, the doctors are showing you their BEST results. Go with the one who listens to you, where the staff treats you well, and shows you after photos that look natural. Also have a look at their staff to see if they look natural or "done."

The specific technique used for a facelift is generally not as important as the skill of the surgeon performing it. Each individual is different and will benefit from a different type of treatment, and the key is finding a surgeon who understands this and will tailor an approach based on your specific concerns and goals. Different surgeons may prefer different facelift approaches, but ultimately the results are what matter.I would look for a double board certified facial plastic surgeon, as these types of surgeons devote their entire career to facial procedures, and thus tend to have the most experience and are able to obtain the best results. You can look at before and after photos, read testimonials, and of course see the surgeon in person for a consultation in order to help make your decision.

At 56, in my opinion you are unlikely to achieve the best possible and most durable results with a traditional SMAS type facelift alone.  In my hands, sub-SMAS or deep plane facelift achieves the best and most durable results.  The neck is almost always addressed as well.  The exact vector achieved can vary between individuals; I always evaluate that first in the consultation and then during the procedure itself, to ensure we achieve the best possible results for each individual patient.  I also perform a lateral platysmal (neck muscle) suspension to the area behind the ear that helps to improve the longevity of your results.  Elevating the neck skin from the muscle below the jawline, from the ear to the chin, is crucial to redraping the skin the best and therefore getting the best neck results.  This all takes some additional time and experienced hands to do it well, but if you want the best results, it is well worth it.Lastly, be sure to consider volume restoration along with the lifting; for most patients, I achieve the best results when the patient addresses the volume loss as well.  This can be done either at the time of the lift (ideally) or any time thereafter, and with either your own best filler (your fat) or with synthetic fillers.

I would advise you not to focus on the technique as much as the surgeon. I have worked with many surgeons around the world and they all have their own variation on sound surgical principles. These can be given different names (MACS, SMASectomy, SMAS plication, deep plane etc) but what really matters is the ability and experience of the surgeon with that technique. A good surgeon will get you a good result.