Deep Plane Facelift Surgery in Baton Rouge, LA
A Structural Approach to Facial Rejuvenation With Dr. Jon Perenack
Facelift surgery can help improve jowls, sagging skin, and loss of jawline definition for a more refreshed, natural-looking appearance.
Dr. Jon Perenack, an internationally recognized lecturer, author, and surgeon in the area of facial cosmetic surgery, helps patients at the Williamson Cosmetic Center explore options in facelifts: deep plane facelift and structural neck lift options based on their goals.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the lower face, jawline, and, often, the upper neck. It is designed to address concerns such as jowls, sagging skin, loose facial tissue, and reduced jawline definition. Depending on facial anatomy and aesthetic goals, Dr. Jon Perenack may recommend a deep plane facelift, a more traditional facelift, a structural neck lift, or a combined surgical approach.
Unlike treatments that only improve the surface of the skin, a facelift addresses deeper facial support and involves muscle balancing, fat contouring, and tightening skin laxity. As a result, it can create more noticeable and longer-lasting improvement for patients who want surgical facial rejuvenation.
What Can a Facelift Improve?
A facelift can improve several common signs of facial aging, especially in the lower face and jawline. Many patients begin considering facelift surgery when they notice that their facial contours no longer reflect how youthful or energetic they feel.
A facelift may help improve:
- Jowls along the jawline
- Sagging skin in the lower face
- Loss of jawline definition
- Midface elevation
- Loose skin near the upper neck
- Facial laxity caused by aging
- A tired or aged lower face appearance
- Softening between the face and neck
In many cases, facelift surgery is not about changing your face. Instead, it is about restoring a cleaner definition, improving facial balance, and helping the lower face and neck look more refreshed.
Facelift Before and After Results
Types of Facelift Procedures
Not every patient needs the same type of facelift. Dr. Perenack believes that the best surgical plan depends on skin quality, facial structure, aging pattern, and the degree of correction desired.
Deep Plane Facelift
The deep plane facelift is Dr. Perenack’s signature facelift technique that addresses deeper facial support structures from the midface to the jawline to the clavicles. Rather than focusing only on tightening the skin or limited SMAS elevation, this approach repositions the deeper facial tissues to improve laxity, extending from the midface down to the jowls, naturally and predictably improving the contour of the entire face from the cheeks down. The deep plane facelift also always includes tightening of the neck with an accompanying structural necklift.
Incisions are placed both in front of and behind the ears, with another incision under the chin. The deeper planes are lifted and tightened, with liposculpture performed as needed. Excess skin is removed, and the incisions closed. While drains are rarely used, a wrap around the head is placed for gentle compression for about 7 to 10 days.
A deep plane facelift may be appropriate for patients with more advanced signs of aging or those who need more comprehensive lower face rejuvenation. However, it is not the right choice for every patient. The best option depends on the amount of tissue descent, skin laxity, facial anatomy, and desired level of correction.
Traditional Facelift
A traditional facelift, sometimes called a “SMAS lift,” may be recommended for patients with laxity of the lower face and neck, but who also have a history of previous surgery or trauma that may have significantly altered facial anatomy, making the deep plane lift less ideal. This approach can improve the jawline and lower face while helping create a more rested appearance.
Similar to the deep plane lift, a traditional SMAS lift is always combined with a structural neck lift.
Mini Facelift
A mini facelift is a more focused surgical approach that can improve early signs of aging in the lower face and jawline. It has some effect on mild laxity just beneath the chin and no effect on loose skin of the lower neck. It may be appropriate for patients with mild jowling, early skin laxity, or subtle loss of facial definition. Incisions are placed in front of the ears, and the SMAS is tightened using a suture technique. Liposuction is performed as necessary, excess skin is removed, and incisions closed.
Mini facelift recovery may be shorter for some patients, especially when the surgical plan is more limited. Even so, healing varies, and patients should follow their post-operative instructions closely for the best recovery experience.
EXPERT FACIAL COSMETIC SURGEON DR. JON PERENACK
Common questions about Facelifts
What does the Deep Plane Facelift involve?
An incision which lies in the natural crease in front of and behind the ear is made. The skin is lifted and the deeper muscular plane is fully elevated. This allows for passive elevation and natural lifting of the full mid and lower face. Excess fat may be removed with a tiny instrument designed for facial liposuction. The Deep Plane Facelift always incorporates a structural Necklift. This is done through a midline incision under the chin. After contouring of deeper structures the incisions are then closed using fine sutures. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes 4 to 5 hours.
Who are the best candidates for a Deep Plane Facelift?
Ideal candidates for surgery are men and women in good health who have mild to moderate lower facial and/or neck laxity. It is equally well suited for the “younger” patients seeking tightening of the lower face to stay ahead of the aging process as well as the “older” patient who wants improvement of the lower face.
Are the results of a Deep Plane Facelift permanent?
Following surgery, the normal aging process resumes. Your lifestyle choices, bone structure, skin type, sun exposure, and heredity all play a part in determining how many years it may last. We recommend doing a Morpheus 8 treatment once per year to help maintain your results. In general, patients who love their facelift procedure might consider a touch-up procedure in 8 to 10 years.
Are there alternatives to a surgical facelift?
We find that there has not been a technology devised that can match the facelift. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! As caring professionals, we are constantly evaluating new technologies to help our patients look younger with little or no downtime. Many technologies promise facelift results with no recovery. While these techniques may offer some benefits (ex: we offer Morpheus 8 for the patient who needs small correction), we find that the most reliable, effective and cost-beneficial result for lower face and neck rejuvenation still comes from the facelift. When exploring these options, always be sure to ask the doctor to show you more than a few standardized before and after pictures of his results, at least 6 months after the procedure. Do not rely on photographs that come from a technology company.
When can I go back to work after a facelift?
Following surgery, many patients may have some bruising and swelling for several days. It is typically on the lower face or below the jawline. A support strap is worn for 7 days all the time and then just at night for a second week. Most patients take a week to 10 days away from normal activities.
Common questions about Neck Lifts
How is the neck lift procedure performed?
The Structural Necklift is done through a midline incision under the chin. After contouring of deeper structures (deep fat pads, submandibular glands, digastric muscles) the platysma is tightened, and superfical fat is contoured. Occasionally, incisions are made behind the ear to allow lateral tightening of the platysma and superior skin tightening. The incisions are then closed using fine sutures and clips. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 2 hours.
What about recovery?
Following a necklift, you will experience some bruising and swelling for several days. Mild discomfort is usually easily controlled with medication. Keeping your head elevated and applying cold compresses for a day or two will keep swelling to a minimum. The scar is well hidden in behind the ear in the natural skin fold and is relatively inconspicuous. Most people can return to work after a week.
Are necklifts safe?
A necklift has proven to be a safe and predictable cosmetic procedure. Dr. Jon Perenack takes the time during consultation to provide you with all the necessary information to make an informed decision. Additionally, you are required to meet with our nurse and anesthesia provider for a pre-operative meeting to review your health history and any other pertinent history needed to provide you with a safe and successful outcome.
