“SMAS” vs. “Deep plane” vs. “SMAS deep plane” facelift...which is best?

You are correct that there are various words that are used to describe facial rejuvenation. Then, you have to consider the skill set of your doctor and the communication process. Communication  is important in that your expectations and recovery process need to have this in line. Seek out multiple consultations from board certified plastic surgeons before you have surgery.Sincerely,

Michael Kulick MD

   Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

   Member of ASPS, ASAPS
   Recipient of the Klingbeil Award – Teaching Safe Techniques and Advanced Technologies

Dear weewers,
Thank you for your question. As you have found in your research, there are many techniques to facelift. Surgeons may also slightly alter how they word certain facelift procedures such as facelift versus mini facelift to distinguish the extensiveness of the procedure and for marketing purposes. I recommend you seek an in-person consultation with a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who specializes in facelift who can perform a thorough examination and discuss with you the best surgical technique. The technique they may recommend depends on their experience and your anatomy. The deeper techniques have an advantage of being able to suspend the deeper tissues for a more dramatic result but are usually associated with more swelling and downtime. No one technique is considered the best for all patients. I strongly recommend you consider a facelift that does more than resuspend the skin. A successful facelift needs to address the SMAS layer at the minimum as this is a key suspensory layer in the facial layers of the face.