Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift is one of the most advanced techniques available for facial rejuvenation. Instead of simply tightening the skin, Dr. Jules Feledy repositions the deeper structures of the face, the muscle, fat, and connective tissue that actually hold everything in place, so results look natural and hold up for years. Patients at Belmont Plastic Surgery in Chevy Chase, MD and Stafford, VA choose this approach when they want a refreshed appearance without the pulled or windswept look that can come with older facelift techniques.
A More Natural Way To Turn Back Time
Most people think of a facelift as a way to tighten loose skin. A deep plane facelift takes a different approach. Instead of pulling only the skin, Dr. Feledy lifts the skin, muscle, and fat as one connected layer and moves it back into a more youthful position. This layer, known as the SMAS, is what actually supports the structure of your face. When it is repositioned rather than just tightened from the surface, the results tend to look like you, only rested and refreshed, not stretched.
This technique is especially effective for correcting sagging jowls, deep nasolabial folds (the creases that run from your nose to the corners of your mouth), and a heavy or hollow-looking midface. Many patients combine it with a neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery for a more complete rejuvenation.
Look Refreshed, Not Redone
Is A Deep Plane Facelift Right For You?
Good candidates are usually in their mid-40s through 60s or beyond, in good general health, and dealing with moderate to significant sagging in the jowls and midface. Because a deep plane facelift is a more involved procedure than a traditional facelift, Dr. Feledy will want to review your health history closely during your consultation, including whether you smoke, take blood thinners, or have a history of blood-clotting issues or excessive scarring. Non-smokers with realistic expectations about their results tend to be the happiest with this procedure.
"Coming to see Dr. Feledy for a facelift changed my life. I think I look ten years younger."
— B.R., Belmont Plastic Surgery patient
A Personalized Plan, From The Start
Your consultation starts with a conversation, not a checklist. Dr. Feledy will ask what bothers you most when you look in the mirror and what you are hoping to see change. He will examine your skin and facial structure, take photos for planning purposes, and walk you through whether a deep plane facelift, or a combination of procedures, makes the most sense for your goals. This is also the time to ask questions about anesthesia, recovery, cost, and financing.
Precision Beneath The Surface
A deep plane facelift is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes longer than a traditional facelift, often four to six hours, depending on whether additional procedures are done at the same time. Dr. Feledy places incisions along the hairline at the temples, around the ear, and into the lower scalp, similar to a traditional facelift. From there, he works beneath the SMAS layer to release and reposition the muscle, fat, and skin together as a single unit. Because the skin is not being pulled on its own for tension, it can be redraped naturally over the repositioned tissue, and any excess is trimmed away. Most patients go home the same day or stay for one night of observation.
Healing On Your Terms
Because a deep plane facelift works on a deeper layer of tissue, initial swelling and bruising can be a bit more noticeable than after a traditional facelift, though most patients say the discomfort itself is manageable. A small drain may be placed for the first day or two to help with fluid buildup. Most patients feel comfortable returning to light activities within 10 to 14 days, with the bulk of swelling resolving over the following few weeks. Strenuous exercise should wait about six weeks, and sun protection matters for several months while the skin fully heals.
Results That Last
Because the deep plane technique addresses the structural support of the face rather than just the skin, results tend to hold up longer than those from a traditional facelift, often for a decade or more. A deep plane facelift will not stop the clock on aging, but it can meaningfully turn it back and keep you looking like yourself for years to come. Incisions are placed carefully along the hairline and behind the ear, so any scarring is well hidden once healed.
Ready For The Next Chapter?
If you are ready to explore whether a deep plane facelift is right for you, Dr. Jules Feledy and the team at Belmont Plastic Surgery are here to help. Board-certified and trained at Mount Sinai and MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Feledy brings more than 15 years of experience and thousands of procedures to every consultation.
Call our Chevy Chase, MD office at (301) 654-5666 or our Stafford, VA office at (540) 891-0040 to schedule your consultation.
"The key to a successful facelift is finding out exactly what the patient wants and really looking at all aspects of how to achieve this."
— Dr. Jules Feledy
A traditional facelift primarily tightens the skin and the layer just beneath it. A deep plane facelift goes further, releasing and repositioning the muscle, fat, and skin together as one connected unit. This typically produces a more natural look and longer-lasting results, though it is a more involved procedure with a somewhat longer recovery.
Most patients describe pressure and tightness rather than sharp pain. Swelling and bruising are more noticeable in the first week or two than with a traditional facelift, but discomfort is generally well managed with medication and eases within a few days.
As with any facelift, risks can include injury to the facial nerves, infection, bleeding, and scarring. Choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon like Dr. Feledy, who has performed thousands of procedures, is one of the best ways to minimize these risks.
A deep plane facelift is considered a cosmetic procedure and typically is not covered by insurance. Our patient coordinators can walk you through financing options, including CareCredit, which offers plans from $300 to $25,000 with manageable monthly payments.
Because the deep plane technique repositions the underlying support structures of the face rather than just the skin, results often last longer than a traditional facelift, in many cases a decade or more, depending on your skin, lifestyle, and the natural aging process.
Belmont Plastic Surgery offers financing through CareCredit, with plans ranging from $300 to $25,000 and low minimum monthly payments, so you can move forward with your procedure on a timeline that works for you.
EXPLORE FINANCING OPTIONS
If any of our patients need it, we are happy to offer CareCredit. For financing from $300 to $25,000, CareCredit offers several plans with low minimum monthly payments that should be able to fit into most budgets.
EXPLORE FINANCING OPTIONS
Schedule your consultation today
The surgeons at Belmont Plastic Surgery are here to help you take the next step on your aesthetic journey. Whether you want to restore what has been lost or improve upon what you already have, our surgeons will help you make the best possible choices for your care and deliver excellent results. Every day is an opportunity to live a more beautiful life. Seize your opportunity today with a consultation at Belmont Plastic Surgery.
5530 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 814, Chevy Chase MD 20815
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