No patient who has had cosmetic surgery wants to show it. This prevents a challenge to the surgeon – how to change a patient’s look, without the patient looking changed. The solution is to stick with procedures that render natural results. Patients then look younger, more refreshed, more energetic – and still themselves. With facelifts, the key to understanding this outcome is knowing what happens to the two layers of facial soft tissue. The outermost layer is, of course, the skin. Below this is the second layer, which is composed of tough, thin connective tissue.
These layers differ in their physical traits. Skin is flexible and relatively weak, and can be stretched. The connective tissue, in contrast, cannot be stretched; it is strong enough to provide the “foundation” for the facial skin. Surgically, these traits are important. If the skin is lifted alone, it will soon develop severe stretch marks as gravity pulls it down. Lifting the connective tissue, though, will provide long lasting and predictable results because it is so strong and inflexible. Also, if the connective tissue layer is tightened, the skin will be gently tightened with it.
It makes sense, then, that when most of the tightening force is given to the connective tissue, the overall result will be durable and natural. The best way to isolate, and tighten, the connective tissue is referred to as a “deep plane” technique, and was advanced by my fellowship mentor, Dr. Frank Kamer. During my fellowship, I learned the intricacies of this effective procedure, and I am now making it available to my patients at the Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgery Medical Clinic. Not all surgeons do deep plane facelifts; in fact, many simply pull the connective tissue without isolating it, and the results of these “mini-lifts” or “no downtime facelifts” are arguably much less durable. Usually, a patient who undergoes a deep plane facelift will notice a return of jowls and sagging skin in about ten to twelve years – a long time! That is why I believe that when a facelift is to be done, it should be done correctly. For almost all patients, I feel that the correct method is the deep plane lift. During your consult, you will learn more about this option, and how you can continue to look like yourself after your facelift – just better.
