Would I be a good candidate for a vertical deep plane face/neck lift? (photos)

I believe that you need a complete revision of facelift/necklift with facial fat grafting. I would highly recommend seeing a board eligible or board certified plastic surgeon for a physical exam and accurate analysis with safe recommendations for potential surgical options. Best of luck!

You are definitely a good candidate for a deep plane facelift. The idea of a true vertical lift is primarily for the cheek area. All good facelift surgeons will lift your face and neck in a vector of pull that goes from the corner of your mouth to the top of your ear, so at about a 60 degree angle. This looks very natural and not windswept, which as you mentioned is not a good look! Hope that helps!

Yes. You would likely be a candidate based on your photos. For a comprehensive facial rejuvenation procedure you would also require buccal fat removal, platysmaplasty, upper and lower eyelid surgery and at least a temporal brow lift. Deep plane surgery is not truly "vertical". However, it is much more vertically oriented than traditional SMAS techniques will allow. The vector and amount of dissection (including dividing the retaining ligaments) is what allows the deep plane facelift to yield far superior results.

Good morning from Washington DC,Thank you for your question! You appear to be an excellent candidate for a deep plane lift. The term "vertical" lift is a brand name but generally speaking, newer deep plane techniques completely avoid the windswept look. This is because the deep plane technique releases the anchoring ligaments of the SMAS so we can reposition that sheet of connective tissue/muscle both up and back. Since all of the tension is on that deeper layer, none of the tension is on the skin which effectively prevents the whole windswept look. I would take a look at your prospective surgeon's before/afters and you can get a great sense of whether their results appear pulled or not. Best of luck and I hope this helps! Jigar Sitapara, MDChevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question and photos. An in-person facial evaluation is always necessary to determine the right facelift technique for every patient. The surgeon you choose may also prefer certain techniques, depending on their level of skill and training. That said, vertical facelifts are highly popular among men and women with extensive facial sagging, heavy jowls, and deep marionette lines. Combining this procedure with a neck lift may take years off of your appearance, as long as you seek treatment from a well-trained surgeon. I strongly recommend visiting a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with experience performing vertical facelifts if you’re interested in this procedure to ensure your expectations are met.

Yes definitely. A deep plane Face lift with adequate ligament release will lift your prolapsed fat from the midface and jowls and revolumise your cheeks and malar areas and a nice jawline. Your neck will improve with a lateral platysma pull but for optimal neck results you will also need an anterior neck approach for deep neck contouring. If your are a non smoker and in good health and you would make a great candidate for this procedure. Best wishes

I perform plastic surgery exclusively on the eyes and face. Patients typically wants a crisp jawline, sharp neckline, resolution of the jowls, lifting of the midface, and improvement in the appearance of their skin.

I've performed many different types of facelifts and I almost exclusively perform the extended Deep-plane vertical face/neck lift on my patients. To improve the skin appearance I typically recommend laser resurfacing or a chemical peel.

Dear petunia52,
Thank you for uploading your photos. You appear to be an excellent candidate for a deep plane face and neck lift. Modern day deep plane facelift surgery releases the ligaments tethering the SMAS layer, which allows the face to be repositioning in an upwards and back position. This deeper dissection removes tension off the skin, thus preventing the windswept look. A deep plane facelift will improve your midface ptosis, nasolabial folds, jowls and redefine the jawline contours and neck contour. I hope this helps answer your question.
All the best,Dr. Sanan, MDFacial Plastic SurgeryLos Angeles, CA

In our practice, the goal of a lower face and neck left procedure is to tighten loose facial and neck skin, tighten loose facial and neck muscles, lift the jowls, and remove fat deposits neck which can be located above and below the platysma muscle in the neck itself. A platysma-plasty is also performed to significantly improve the jawline. Choose your facelift surgeon wisely based on extensive experience producing natural results. Study their facelift photo Gallery very carefully.

There are a variety of procedures that are called “facelifts.” A well performed facelift which elevates and supports the deeper tissue of the face called the SMAS as well as removing the excess loose skin and adding appropriate amounts of volume to deficient areas of hollows and depressions not only turns back the clock, but also slow the aging process.

Good natural appearing results can be achieved with either technique, a SMAS or Deep plane, in the appropriate patient. What is more important than the specific technique is the experience and artistry of the plastic surgeon.

Some surgeons claim that “Deep Plane Facelifts” last longer and are more natural but there is no valid scientific evidence to support those claims.

I would suggest your plastic surgeon be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with who has all of the modalities of treatment available. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person. Facial rejuvenation needs to be individualized. What would be an ideal approach for one patient is not necessarily the same for someone else. Based on the examination and discussion at the consultation, you should have a better understanding of the various options that can achieve the best cosmetic result for you.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California