A deep plane facelift plastic surgery improves facial aging by lifting the deeper tissues that cause sagging, rather than just tightening the skin. By working below the surface, this technique creates natural-looking results that last longer and allow your face to move and express normally.
Deep Plane Facelift
Before and After Photos
Each patient is unique and individual results may vary*.
ACTUAL DEEP PLANE FACELIFT PATIENT
A deep plane facelift is an advanced facial rejuvenation procedure designed to correct sagging that occurs in the deeper layers of the face, not just at the skin level. Instead of tightening loose skin, this approach restores facial support by repositioning the tissues that naturally shift downward with age.
Because the deeper structures are addressed, a deep plane facelift can improve the cheeks, jawline, and neck in a more natural and lasting way. Patients typically look refreshed and well-rested rather than tight or “pulled.”
Non-surgical treatments, such as fillers or Botox can help soften lines or restore small amounts of volume, but they cannot correct true skin laxity, heavy jowls, or significant neck sagging. When aging changes are structural, a surgical deep plane facelift is often the most effective option.
Because many patients research several options before choosing surgery, it’s helpful to understand how the deep plane facelift compares with other facelift techniques.
Dr. Andres Bustillo has been performing deep plane facelift surgery for more than fifteen years and devotes a significant portion of his practice to this advanced technique.
His approach focuses on restoring facial structure in a balanced way rather than creating the strongest possible pull.
Dr. Bustillo carefully evaluates how each face has aged and determines how much correction is needed in the midface, jawline, and neck to achieve a natural result. His goal is to help patients look like a younger version of themselves—without changing their facial identity or expression.
Deep plane facelift surgery can also be combined with other facial procedures when appropriate, such as eyelid surgery or fat transfer, to create a more complete and harmonious rejuvenation while still maintaining a natural appearance.
During a deep plane facelift in Miami, Dr. Bustillo designs incisions to follow natural contours around the ear and hairline so they heal discreetly. Incisions typically begin in the hair at the temple, continue around the ear, and extend into the hairline behind the ear.
Through these incisions, Dr. Bustillo carefully:
By lifting and supporting these deeper structures rather than pulling on the skin, the deep plane facelift creates a smoother, more natural result across the face and neck.
Depending on individual needs, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation and is attended by board-certified anesthesiologists. Surgery typically lasts three to four hours and is performed on an outpatient basis in Dr. Bustillo’s Miami-based, AAAASF-certified surgical facility.
See the incredible 3-month transformation of our patient following her Deep Plane Facelift with Dr. Andres Bustillo. This video highlights how repositioning the underlying muscle (SMAS) creates a more defined jawline, softer nasolabial folds, and a refreshed appearance while preserving the patient’s natural features.
By addressing the deeper structural layers rather than just tightening the skin, we achieve a rejuvenated look that moves naturally with your expressions.
Questions about your procedure?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Andres Bustillo.
Most patients notice a meaningful improvement in their facial contour and neck profile within the first few weeks after surgery, once the initial swelling begins to subside. Typical timeline:
Because the deep plane facelift addresses deeper structures and releases the retaining ligaments, results are generally more durable than surface-level techniques. While no facelift can stop the natural aging process, many patients enjoy the benefits of their deep plane facelift for ten years or more, aging from a more youthful starting point.
The cost of a deep plane facelift in Miami can vary depending on:
Deep plane facelift is the most advanced and technically demanding facelift technique Dr. Bustillo offers, and it typically represents a higher investment than a mini facelift or limited-scope procedure. Your fee may include:
A personalized quote is provided after a thorough in-office consultation and exam. Many patients view deep plane facelift as a long-term investment in their appearance, often replacing the need for multiple smaller procedures over time.
As with any surgery, a deep plane facelift carries potential risks, although serious complications are uncommon in healthy patients under expert care. Possible risks include:
Dr. Bustillo minimizes these risks by:
During your consultation, potential risks and how they apply to your individual situation will be discussed in detail so you can make an informed decision.
A deep plane facelift is best for patients who have moved beyond what fillers, skin treatments, or mini facelifts can reasonably correct. Ideal candidates typically have:
While many deep plane facelift patients are in their 40s to 70s, chronological age matters less than overall health and the degree of structural aging. Healthy, medically cleared patients in their 70s or 80s can also be excellent candidates.
A deep plane facelift is not the right solution for everyone. Patients who may not benefit from this procedure include those who:
During consultation, Dr. Bustillo carefully evaluates whether a deep plane facelift is truly appropriate or whether a less invasive or alternative approach would be safer and more effective.
There is no strict upper age limit for a deep plane facelift. While many patients are between their 40s and 60s, healthy individuals in their 70s or even 80s can benefit if they are medically cleared and have appropriate expectations.
A facelift cannot stop aging altogether, but it can significantly reset the facial clock. Many patients report lasting satisfaction with their results ten or more years after surgery.
Based on Dr. Bustillo’s experience performing deep plane facelift surgery, early swelling is most noticeable in the cheeks and midface, since the procedure works in the deeper layers of the face. This swelling is expected and gradually improves over the first few weeks as the tissues settle.
Patients typically describe a feeling of tightness rather than significant pain, especially along the jawline and neck. In Dr. Bustillo’s patients, this sensation softens steadily as healing progresses and is usually well controlled with prescribed medication.
Final results continue to mature as healing completes. In Dr. Bustillo’s experience, patients are most appreciative of their results once swelling has fully resolved and facial movement feels completely natural again.
ACTUAL DEEP PLANE FACELIFT PATIENT
Deep plane facelift is a more advanced procedure, so careful preparation is essential for safety and smooth recovery. Like all facelift patients, deep plane facelift candidates must complete pre-operative labs and obtain medical clearance from their primary care physician. In general, patients will:
You’ll receive a detailed, written pre-operative plan tailored to your medical history.
Following both pre- and post-operative instructions closely is essential to reduce the risk of complications and achieve the best possible outcome.
During a deep plane facelift consultation, Dr. Bustillo’s goal is not simply to confirm that you “need surgery,” but to determine whether a deep plane facelift is truly the right level of correction for you. He will:
If a deep plane facelift is recommended, he will explain why that technique is preferred over more limited options in your specific case.
Dr. Bustillo will explain the potential results of deep plane facelift surgery, outline the recommended surgical plan, and review expected recovery and risks. You will have ample time to ask questions and feel confident that your plan is tailored to your anatomy and goals.
For more than fifteen years, Dr. Bustillo has performed deep plane facelift surgery in his AAAASF-certified surgical facility in Miami, Florida. Patients travel from throughout South Florida and beyond for his natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Why Choose Deep Plane Facelift Expert Dr. Bustillo?
A deep plane facelift is a highly specialized procedure that requires advanced training, precise anatomical knowledge, and extensive surgical experience. Dr. Andres Bustillo:
Dr. Bustillo performs deep plane facelift surgery in his Miami-based, AAAASF-certified surgical facility and works with board-certified anesthesiologists to prioritize patient safety and comfort. Patients visit from Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, and surrounding South Florida communities for advanced facial rejuvenation.
A deep plane facelift is one of the most comprehensive facelift techniques available today. Rather than relying on pulling or removing excess skin alone, the deep plane approach works beneath the SMAS (the superficial muscular aponeurotic system) to elevate the deeper muscles, fat, and ligaments of the face. By repositioning these structures, the entire face can be lifted in a natural way, improving the cheeks, jawline, and neck with longer-lasting support.
The cost of a deep plane facelift in Miami varies based on the extent of correction needed, whether additional procedures (such as eyelid surgery or fat transfer) are performed, and the time required in the operating room. After your in-person consultation and examination, you will receive a personalized quote that includes surgeon’s fee, facility fee, and anesthesia.
Most patients experience the majority of swelling and bruising in the first one to two weeks. Many feel comfortable returning to light work and social activities around two weeks after surgery. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are typically resumed around three weeks post-op. Final results continue to refine over several months as the tissues fully settle.
Because a deep plane facelift addresses deeper facial structures and releases retaining ligaments, the results tend to last longer than more superficial techniques. While individual experiences vary, many patients enjoy the benefits of their rejuvenated appearance for ten years or more, while continuing to age naturally.
During a deep plane facelift, Dr. Bustillo lifts and repositions the muscles, fat, and ligaments beneath the SMAS layer. The cheek fat (malar fat pad) is elevated back to its youthful position, the jowls are softened, and the platysma muscle in the neck is tightened. By releasing the retaining ligaments that tether these tissues, the deep plane facelift can more effectively elevate the midface and create a well-defined neck than more limited SMAS techniques.
Traditional SMAS facelifts typically tighten or fold the SMAS without fully releasing all of the facial retaining ligaments. An extended deep plane facelift goes a step further by releasing these ligaments and lifting the midface and lower face as a unit. This can result in more powerful elevation of the cheeks, better improvement of nasolabial folds and jowls, and a more natural, less “pulled” appearance.
All surgical procedures leave scars, but one of Dr. Bustillo’s goals is to make them as discreet as possible. Incisions are strategically placed along natural creases around the ear and within the hairline. Over time, these scars typically soften and fade, becoming difficult to detect in most social situations. Proper scar care and sun protection after surgery further support good healing.
If you live near Miami, Dr. Andres Bustillo offers Deep Plane Facelift among its services and is conveniently located at 6705 Red Rd #602, Miami, FL 33143.
Written and reviewed by Andres Bustillo, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon in Miami, FL
Facial Plastic Surgeon in Miami, FL
