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.

It's a good question. There are many different ways to perform facelifts. The main thing is to find a surgeon who is able to provide results that you find pleasing. The surgeon should assess your entire face to determine a personalized treatment plan for you. It's important to assess the forehead, the position of your eyebrows, your eyelids, signs of aging in your face including sagging tissues and loss of volume, and signs of aging within the neck. A comprehensive facelift should re-elevate sagging tissues of the face, improve jowling, increase fullness in the cheekbone area, soften the nasolabial fold and marionette lines, and create a more youthful appearance and contour of the neck.Other procedures are commonly performed at the time of the facelift. These include transferring your own fat into the face to restore lost volume. Brow lift or eyelid surgery can be performed. Some surgeons will perform laser resurfacing at the time of a facelift. A well done facelift should leave the patient looking more youthful and refreshed. Unless they're told many friends and acquaintances often do not know that patients have had surgery. The patient should not appear "pulled" or "done." There should be no distortion of the hairline or ear.As with any cosmetic procedure, consider consultations with multiple surgeons to determine how best to obtain your goals.

This would be better answered by a physical examination. It's difficult to say which would be best for you without seeing you.

There areseveral different types of facelift techniques that are currently performed byfacelift surgeons. The most important factor is that the technique that is usedby a facial surgeon will create a youthful, natural with long lasting result.Experience is the key in facial rejuvenation. Vectors of facial tightening varyfrom patient to patient. For a 50-year-old patient, I would not apply the samevector and tension that I normally apply to a 70-year-old face. In addition,direction of vectors must be modified during secondary or tertiary facelift toavoid artificial look. I have performedwell over 2500 facelifts and published a specific technique that describe therotational angles and amount of tension that must be applied during SMASplication to avoid over or under tightening. A well-performed neck lift during facial rejuvenation is the paramountin a youthful-appearing face. I apply gradual tension on my SMAS as follow: startingat temple area there is only 20-30% tension on muscle plication, once at thejawlines the muscle is tightened 100%. This prevent pulled looked at the cornerof mouth. In neck area the muscle must be tighten with greater tension than100%, depending on the neck laxity. Lookat the doctor’s before and after pictures, a talented and experienced faceliftsurgeon will have a smooth and well-contoured neck that enhances the faceliftresults. There is no substitute inexperience and artistic eyes.

Both surgeons sound competent.  It's really a matter of which surgeon you feel most comfortable with.  The selection of the right surgeon is more important than minor differences in how they loan to proceed.  Go back for second consults and see which one you like better.

The treatment of facial aging
should be individualized based on the patient’s aesthetic goals, anatomic
findings and social situation.  No
two patients are exactly alike and because of this appropriate treatment
depends on the patients specific anatomic needs.  In your case it’s virtually impossible to make a
recommendation without pictures or a physical examination.

When choosing a facelift technique,
the analysis of the patient’s anatomy and how it’s effected by
the aging process is critical. 
Careful analysis will determine the type of procedure that will optimize
your result.

Each of the procedures that you
mention has a place in the management of facial aging.  There utilization is dependent upon the
surgeons analysis of the patients anatomy and how it’s been effected by the
aging process.

Although, the type of procedure
chosen is important, the selection of a plastic surgeon is even more
important.  It’s important that you
consult a board certified plastic surgeon with experience performing facial
rejuvenation surgery.  Make sure
you review pre and post-operative pictures and have an opportunity to get
comfortable.  This surgeon should
be able to formulate a treatment plan that’s specific for your anatomic
findings and meets your aesthetic goals.