Our annual Most Worth It list recognizes the most-loved aesthetic procedures—from noninvasive tweaks to the gold standard in surgery—as chosen by RealSelf community members like you. This story highlights one or more of the 44 Most Worth It honorees for 2022; you can see the full list and learn more about patients’ favorite procedures here.
The Real Housewives of New York City’s Sonja Morgan is known for her candor—and whether it’s losing a tooth on camera or admitting she went “too far” with liposuction, she has never shied away from sharing the intimate details of her body with the world. So when rumors began circulating in early July about the reality TV star’s new look, many expected her to open up about any cosmetic surgery she might have undergone to achieve it; on Monday, she did. Taking to Instagram, Morgan announced that she had a lower facelift and neck lift after season 12 of RHONY wrapped, writing, “I just wanted to be rid of the wrinkling on my neck and the jowls that were starting to form.” She said the procedures were a “no-brainer,” that “gravity had taken its toll,” and that she was exhausted and needed a “pick-me-up.”
Morgan didn’t undergo just any facelift though; she opted for a deep plane facelift and entrusted board-certified New York City facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono to do it. As the reality star explained in her Instagram post, the deep plane method differs from a traditional SMAS facelift in that it goes underneath the muscle and connective tissue layers and lifts them, alongside the skin, as one unit rather than individually, which some doctors believe leads to more natural-looking results.
Like its SMAS alternative, the deep plane facelift’s results can last up to 10 years, and patients can expect an estimated two-week recovery time, with immediate results appearing as soon as the bandages are removed. This method does, however, carry slightly more risk, according to certain studies and surgeons, since its deeper nature means the potential for nerve damage is somewhat higher. (This is a point of debate among facelift surgeons.) Morgan’s surgery, including her neck lift, had a hefty $75,000 price tag, though most facelifts typically range between $5,000 and $23,000). The price will vary depending on the surgeon and complexity of the procedure.
Both deep plane and SMAS facelifts are working toward the same goal of tightening the lower two-thirds of the face, and in patients under 70 years old, studies have found no major differences in the outcomes of each, even over a 10-year period. The technique a surgeon recommends is therefore ultimately dependent on a number of outside factors, including their depth of experience and comfort level with each. And as with all cosmetic work, it’s important to discuss your individual goals and expectations with your doctor in order to make a sound decision about which procedure will offer the best outcome for your needs.
