Deep Plane Facelift
Toronto, ON
You may have noticed that your cheeks sit a little lower or your jawline looks less defined. These changes can be subtle, but that doesn’t make them any less important. A careful examination can show which tissues have shifted and what surgery could realistically change.
A deep plane facelift repositions support beneath the skin to address descended cheeks and lower-face contours. The aim is smoother definition that remains in proportion with your features.
During your consultation, your surgeon examines the cheeks, jawline, skin, and neck, then listens to what you would like to change and preserve. You can discuss whether a deep plane facelift or another facelift technique suits your anatomy and goals. You can review the proposed operation, incision placement, recovery, risks, and a personalized quote before deciding whether surgery is right for you.
A deep plane facelift works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS, a supportive layer connected to facial muscles and soft tissue. Selected retaining ligaments may be released so deeper and overlying tissues can be repositioned together. The skin is redraped, and excess skin removed where needed. Facial structure, skin quality, previous procedures, and healing influence the result. Every incision leaves a scar, although its appearance changes as it heals.
As the cheeks descend, nasolabial folds beside the nose and mouth may deepen. Tissue along the jaw can settle into sagging jowls, softening the transition from face to neck. A deep plane facelift may improve these contours when tissue descent is the main cause. Fine lines, skin texture, facial volume loss, and neck muscle bands need separate assessment. Your surgeon will explain what the proposed lift reaches and what may need another treatment.
When deeper support has shifted, removing loose skin alone may leave the concern untouched. Repositioning underlying tissues can address cheek and lower-face contours. How much definition can be restored depends on tissue descent, skin, and healing.
Skin laxity in the cheeks and jawline can change how the neck appears. When the lower face is lifted, the transition into the neck may look smoother. Loose neck skin and muscle bands, however, may need separate treatment.
Your hairline, skin, facial structure, health, and priorities influence the extent of surgery and where incisions can be placed. You should be able to see where the incisions are planned and understand the likely change, recovery, and trade-offs before proceeding.
Surgery may be worth discussing if descended facial tissues concern you and your health permits an operation. Your medical history, medications, previous procedures, and healing factors all matter. You also need time for recovery.
Age alone does not determine candidacy. Anatomy, health, and expectations matter more. Younger patients may be candidates, while an older patient may be better served by another approach.
If your main concern is texture, fine lines, lost volume, or a small area of excess skin, a deep plane facelift may not address it well. Another facelift technique, fat grafting, dermal fillers, or a skin treatment may address that concern more directly.
If lost volume is the main issue, lifting tissue may leave it largely unchanged. You can discuss that distinction before choosing a treatment.
Bring the changes you have noticed to a consultation. An examination can help you compare the likely benefits, recovery, and risks of the options that apply to you.
Both approaches address support beneath the facial skin. A deep plane technique works beneath the SMAS and may release selected retaining ligaments. SMAS techniques vary in how that layer is tightened or moved. “Traditional facelift” can describe several operations, so the details matter more than the label.
Neither operation has a uniform result. Your anatomy, surgical history, and goals help determine which approach is suitable. Ask which tissues would move and what change you might expect.
A mini facelift generally treats a limited area, often the lower face or jawline. The term does not define the depth, incisions, or tissue movement. Compare the proposed procedures and what each may leave unaddressed.
A facelift may improve the jawline without fully addressing loose neck skin or muscle bands. If the neck concerns you, discuss whether a neck lift belongs in the plan. It can be considered alongside a facelift or separately.
Tell your surgeon what you have noticed and what you hope to change. The conversation also covers your health, medications, past facial procedures, and anything that could affect surgery or healing. It is equally useful to say which features you want to preserve.
Your surgeon will examine your face and may take planning photographs. Discuss the proposed technique, areas treated, incisions, anaesthesia, and recovery. Ask what may improve, what may remain unchanged, and why this approach is recommended.
You can also discuss timing, help at home, risks, and personalized cost. You do not need to settle on surgery before you understand what it would involve.
Give your surgical team a complete list of prescriptions, nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Testing or coordination with another clinician may be needed. Continue prescribed medication unless the appropriate care team tells you otherwise. Let FORM know if you use nicotine, as it can affect healing.
Arrange transportation, help at home, and time away from work. Before surgery, confirm instructions for eating and drinking, medication, incision care, and follow-up appointments. Keep your surgical team’s contact information available.
Facelift surgery at FORM uses general anaesthesia and includes at least one overnight stay. Your team will confirm arrangements and explain early monitoring.
Incisions commonly follow the hairline and contours around the ears. Placement depends on your anatomy and the work planned. They leave scars, which change as they heal. Your surgeon can show you where incisions are expected and explain what care they will need.
Through the incisions, the surgeon reaches the deeper tissues beneath the SMAS. Releasing selected attachments allows the cheek and lower-face tissues to move together. The skin is then redraped over the new contours, with excess skin removed where needed. The exact steps depend on your anatomy.
After the tissues are repositioned, the incisions are closed. Dressings or drains may be used. Your team will explain their care and monitor your early recovery during your overnight stay and follow-up appointments.
Possible complications include bleeding or a haematoma, infection, reactions to anaesthesia, blood clots, altered sensation, persistent pain, poor healing, skin loss, hair loss near incisions, and unfavourable scarring. Facial nerve injury can affect movement and may be temporary or persistent.
Asymmetry, irregular contours, or a result that differs from your expectations are also possible. Further treatment or revision surgery may sometimes be considered. Your surgeon will discuss risks in the context of your health and surgical plan, so you can weigh them alongside the potential benefit.
Swelling, bruising, tightness, and altered sensation can occur. Rest and follow your team’s instructions for head elevation, medication, incision care, and activity. The first days are for healing; they do not show the final contour.
Many people set aside about 10–14 days before desk work or social plans. Much of the active recovery may take around 6–8 weeks, while swelling or changes in sensation can continue longer. A physical job or a second procedure may change that timeline.
Your surgeon will advise when to resume exercise, lifting, and other parts of your routine. Feeling ready to see people does not mean every restriction has ended.
Follow the instructions you receive for cleaning incisions, washing your hair, and using skincare or sun protection. Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing pain, marked swelling, bleeding, fever, or another symptom they have identified as needing attention.
When Will I See Results?
Cheek and jawline contours become easier to assess as swelling and bruising settle. Refinement can continue for several months as tissues heal. Your surgeon will discuss the likely milestones for your operation and review your progress at follow-up appointments.
A facelift changes the position of facial tissues, while aging continues. Skin, volume, and underlying support will keep changing, so the appearance and longevity of results vary. Your surgeon can discuss factors that may affect your result without promising a fixed number of years.
Facelift surgery at FORM costs $13,000 to $25,000 CAD plus HST, with the final quote confirmed at consultation. Cost depends on the surgical plan, anaesthesia, facility and overnight care, and any other procedures performed at the same time. Reviewing the plan and quote together helps you understand what your care would involve and what the quoted amount actually includes.
A deep plane facelift may be combined with a neck lift, eyelid surgery, or brow lift when each addresses a separate concern. The proposed combination should make sense for your anatomy, health, and goals.
Additional procedures can affect anaesthesia, risk, and recovery. Your surgeon will explain the trade-offs and whether a combined operation or staged plan is more appropriate for you.
FORM’s facelift surgeons include Dr. Michael Brandt, MD, MSc, EMBA, FRCSC, a Royal College certified Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgeon specializing in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and Dr. Cory Goldberg, a Royal College certified plastic surgeon with craniofacial training.
Facial descent does not follow a single pattern. Your surgeon examines the cheeks, jawline, neck, and skin before explaining whether a deep plane lift or another facelift technique is likely to address your concern. You can see where incisions might sit and how recovery could differ.
At FORM’s 23,000-square-foot campus at 90 Eglinton Avenue East, you can return to a familiar setting for consultation, surgery at the on-site Toronto Surgery Centre, overnight care, and follow-up.
Every surgery at FORM includes PeriOptimization Essential, our two month program to prepare you for surgery and support your recovery.
At follow-up appointments, your surgical team can assess healing and answer questions about incisions, activity, and the changes still unfolding.
If changes in your cheeks, jawline, or neck are on your mind, a consultation offers a specific recommendation and an opportunity to understand its limits. Discuss recovery, risks, and cost before deciding whether surgery is right for you.
It describes the tissue plane used in the operation. The surgeon works beneath the SMAS to reposition deeper facial tissues with the overlying soft tissue. The steps depend on the surgical plan.
Neither approach is better for every patient. The choice depends on your anatomy, previous procedures, goals, and the operation being proposed.
Not always. A facelift may improve the jawline, while loose neck skin or muscle bands may need a separate neck lift. Ask which areas your procedure would include.
Yes. Incisions leave scars, commonly along the hairline and around the ears. Placement and healing affect how noticeable they become.
Many people allow 10–14 days before desk work or social plans. Physical work may require longer. Your surgeon will help you plan for your operation and recovery.
Previous filler does not automatically rule out surgery. Share what product was used, where it was placed, and when, so your surgeon can assess it.
No. The operation repositions facial tissues, while your skin, volume, and underlying support continue to change over time.
