Facial Rejuvenation Surgery

Deep Plane Facelift

Repositioning the SMAS and deeper tissues as a single unit rather than tightening skin — the technique behind natural, durable facelift results.

At a glance

Operating time: 4–6 hours
Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia
Hospital stay: 1 nights
Back to desk work: approx. 14 days
Social recovery: approx. 21 days

About this procedure

BeforeAfter

A deep plane facelift treats facial sagging not by pulling the skin tight but by releasing the musculo-fascial layer beneath it (SMAS) and the retaining ligaments that tether the face to the bone. The skin and the deep tissues beneath it are repositioned as one unit, against the direction in which they have descended with age. Because the tension is placed on the deep layer rather than the skin, a pulled look is not the aim.

Surgical approach and technique

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia and takes about 4–6 hours. The incision starts inside the hairline at the temple, follows the natural crease in front of the ear and continues behind it. The retaining ligaments are released and the midface tissues are moved vertically back to their anatomical position, working along the course of the facial nerve branches. Where appropriate, a neck lift, eyelid surgery, a brow lift or fat grafting can be planned in the same session. One night is spent in hospital after surgery.

Who is it for?

Assessed in adults with sagging of the midface and cheek, a deepening nasolabial fold and loss of definition along the jawline, whose general health allows general anaesthesia. It can also be planned as a revision in patients who have had a previous facelift. The final decision is made at examination.

Recovery

Swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first week, when you sleep with your head raised. Return to desk work is usually possible in about the second week and to social life in about the third. Swelling can take 3–6 months to settle fully as the tissues find their final position.

How it differs from a traditional facelift

	Traditional (skin / SMAS) facelift	Deep plane facelift
Layer worked on	The skin or the surface of the SMAS	Beneath the SMAS; the retaining ligaments are released
Where the tension goes	Mainly the skin	The deep tissues
Areas it addresses	Mainly the jawline and neck	Midface (cheek), nasolabial area, jawline
Operating time	Shorter	Longer (about 4–6 hours)

Who it may not suit

People with uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder
People who cannot stop smoking before and after surgery
People with only early signs of ageing, for whom a more limited procedure may be more appropriate

Preparing for surgery

Smoking and nicotine products must be stopped for a period before and after surgery.
Blood thinners and some herbal supplements are stopped for a period before surgery, under medical guidance.
Blood tests and an anaesthetic assessment are carried out.

Recovery timeline

When	What to generally expect
Day 1	One night in hospital, dressing and check-up
Week 1	Swelling and bruising at their most noticeable; sleep with the head raised
Days 7–10	Stitches removed and pre-flight check-up
About week 2	Return to desk work
About week 3	Return to social life; most of the bruising has faded
Weeks 4–6	Return to strenuous exercise, with the surgeon's approval
Months 3–6	Swelling fully settles and the tissues find their final position

For patients travelling from abroad

We recommend staying in Istanbul for 10–14 nights. The flight home is usually planned for day 7–10, after the final check-up.

Possible risks

Like any surgery, a deep plane facelift carries risks, and all of them are shared with you in writing before the operation:

Haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin)
Weakness in branches of the facial nerve, usually temporary
Temporary numbness around the ear
Infection
More visible scarring
Asymmetry
Delayed wound healing (smoking increases this risk)
Risks related to anaesthesia

Back to desk work: approx. 14 days. Social recovery: approx. 21 days. Depending on the scope of surgery you should plan for between 6 and 12 nights. The exact figure is confirmed in writing with your treatment plan.

The information on this page is general and does not replace medical advice. Timings and recovery vary between individuals; a definitive plan can only be made after examination.

Frequently asked questions

At what age is a deep plane facelift done?

There is no set age. The decision depends on how far the tissues have descended, not on age.

How long does the effect last?

Surgery does not stop ageing. How long the effect lasts varies from person to person, depending on tissue structure, skin quality, weight change and lifestyle.

Will there be scars?

The incisions are placed along the hairline and in the natural creases around the ear. Every surgical incision leaves a scar; these usually become less visible over time.

Will my facial expressions be affected?

The surgery works along the course of the facial nerve branches, with the aim of preserving natural expression.

Can it be combined with a neck lift?

Yes. When the jawline and neck are assessed together, they are often planned in the same session.

Is it painful afterwards?

In the first days there is a feeling of tightness and tenderness, which is controlled with prescribed pain relief.

I have had a facelift before. Can it be done again?

Yes. A revision facelift is assessed separately; the technique of the previous operation and the condition of the tissues shape the plan.

Facelift, fillers or a thread lift?

Fillers replace lost volume; a thread lift raises tissue to a limited extent and for a limited time. Neither corrects the sagging muscle-fascia layer beneath the skin or the ligaments that support the face. Where the face and neck have clearly sagged, that is what a surgical facelift does. For mild changes non-surgical treatments may be enough; which suits you is decided at examination.

How much does it cost?

The fee is given according to the personal plan set after examination. The quote covers the operation, anaesthesia, hospital, medication, transfers and follow-up visits.

A personal assessment for this procedure

Share your photographs and let us plan the right technique and timeline together.

Request a consultation