What is a deep plane facelift?
A deep plane facelift repositions facial tissues beneath the SMAS, the supportive layer under the skin. Selected retaining attachments are released so the cheek and lower-face tissues can be lifted together. The aim is to improve descended contours without relying on skin tension alone.
The technique name describes part of the operation. Your facial anatomy, skin quality, neck contours and goals determine the full surgical plan.
Refinement where it matters to you
Patients often begin with a specific concern: a jawline that has lost definition, jowls that feel unfamiliar, or cheeks and facial folds that look different from how they remember. A consultation connects those concerns to the structures that surgery can address.
A facelift can improve tissue descent and contour. Skin texture, eyelids and volume loss may need a separate discussion so that the plan addresses the whole face thoughtfully.
A plan shaped around your face
Dr. Darren Smith is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has completed fellowships in both craniofacial surgery and aesthetic surgery. This combination brings training in the underlying facial framework together with a focus on aesthetic refinement.
Bring photographs of yourself from earlier years and describe the features you want to preserve. The most useful conversation is about your goals and proportions, as well as the technique.
Dr. Smith is also a named co-inventor on a U.S. patent for predicting how facial soft tissue moves when underlying bone is repositioned—a contribution to the simulation of craniofacial surgery.
A patient’s facelift experience
Hear a patient describe her facelift and neck lift experience with Dr. Smith.
One patient’s experience. Individual results vary.
Deep plane, SMAS, preservation and mini facelift
These terms describe different aspects of facelift planning and are not always mutually exclusive. Deep plane refers to the tissue plane used during dissection; the SMAS is an anatomical layer that several facelift techniques address.
Dr. Smith’s preservation facelift uses deep-plane ligament release with limited skin undermining. It combines deep tissue repositioning with a more limited separation of the skin from the tissues beneath it. A mini facelift describes a different consideration: a more limited operation. The appropriate scope depends on your face and goals.
Is a deep plane facelift right for you?
Suitability depends on facial tissue descent, skin quality, overall health and what you want to change. Age alone does not decide the operation. Prior surgery, fillers, medications and nicotine use are part of the consultation discussion.
An examination helps determine whether a facelift, a neck-focused procedure or another approach best matches your concerns.
Plan your recovery around real life
Plan for swelling, bruising and a period away from demanding activities. Looking comfortable in public, returning to work and resuming exercise are different milestones; the timing also depends on any combined procedures.
Discuss upcoming events, travel and the physical demands of your work before choosing a surgery date. Your plan should include follow-up visits, help during early recovery and individualized instructions for activity and incision care.
Deep plane facelift cost in NYC
Your quote depends on the extent of facial and neck treatment, anesthesia and any additional procedures. Ask for an itemized plan that makes the surgical scope and fees clear.
A $500 fee secures your consultation and is credited toward your procedure. The consultation is where you can compare the proposed changes, recovery plan and financial details with your priorities.
Care and safety
Facelift surgery carries risks, including bleeding, infection, nerve injury, scarring and asymmetry. Dr. Smith reviews the considerations relevant to your health and surgical plan before you decide. Healing and results vary.
Your Manhattan consultation
Meet Dr. Smith at the Ritz Tower, 111 East 57th Street, New York. Discuss your face and neck together, the features you want to retain, and how the proposed operation fits your goals.
If you are traveling to NYC, ask the team about consultation arrangements and the follow-up schedule before making travel plans.
Your questions, answered
Is a deep plane facelift the same as a SMAS facelift?
The SMAS is a supportive anatomical layer addressed by several facelift techniques. A deep plane facelift works beneath it and lifts connected tissues together. Other SMAS approaches treat this layer differently; the technique should be explained in relation to your anatomy.
Does a deep plane facelift include a neck lift?
Face and neck treatment can be planned together, but the name deep plane facelift does not specify every step of neck surgery. Ask what your proposed operation includes and whether a separate neck component is recommended.
Will a facelift treat my eyelids or skin texture?
A facelift primarily addresses tissue descent and facial contours. Eyelid concerns, sun damage and fine surface lines may call for separate treatments, which can be discussed as part of a coordinated plan.
How long do deep plane facelift results last?
Facelift results evolve with continued aging. Anatomy, skin quality, the operation and healing all influence durability. A fixed number of years cannot predict an individual result.
How do I arrange a consultation?
Contact the Manhattan practice to discuss an appointment with Dr. Smith. A $500 fee secures the consultation and is credited toward your procedure.