What is it?

Surely you know someone who feels that they have excess skin in the region of the cheeks, or that over time has felt that their face has lost elasticity and the skin hangs at jaw level or after losing weight, has noticed that the skin is now more flaccid than before.

Facial lifting helps to improve the appearance of skin that is "hanging" on the face, giving a more youthful appearance, and is usually performed together with other complementary treatments.

There are different techniques to perform a facelift. Dr. Vargas uses the Deep Plane facelift technique which means that all the facial and neck muscles are re positioned resulting in a more natural and youthful look.

Recovery time

3-4 weeks. During this period, a special bandage or chin strap is required, which wraps around the face and head, allowing the tissues to deflate more quickly. The post-operative diet does not require special modifications, except to avoid spicy or salty foods.

Regarding sleep position, patients who undergo a facelift are recommended to sleep on their backs for the first 2-3 weeks with 2 or 3 pillows to help reduce facial swelling.

It is important to note that after a facelift, the face may appear swollen, bruised, and with slight asymmetries for the first 3 weeks. This is completely normal and expected as part of the healing process, especially during the first week post-surgery. During the second week post-surgery, swelling begins to subside by approximately 50%, and bruising will still be visible. From the third week, swelling will be reduced by 70 to 80%, and bruising will almost completely disappear between this and the 4th week. From the 5th or 6th week, the bandage can be used only during the day and removed at night.

The scar requires special care such as:

• Preventing crust formation.
• Avoiding or protecting from sun exposure.
• Applying special creams or medications recommended by your surgeon to prevent the scar from becoming visible.

Stiches removal

5 days after surgery

Alternative or additional treatments

It is common to perform this surgery along with other procedures that help improve the aesthetics of the eyes such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), lip lift, and/or fat transfer in regions such as the cheekbones, cheeks, chin or even on the earlobes to give an overall rejuvenated look.

Other additional treatments that can be performed are peelings, botulinum toxin, or hyaluronic acid injection.

Candidates

Candidates for this type of procedure are usually men or women who have some laxity of the facial skin on the cheeks or cheekbones. There is no defined age to say that a patient is a candidate for this procedure since it does not depend on this but on the characteristics of the skin they have at the time of the assessment.

A deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique that goes beyond simply tightening the skin. It addresses the underlying structures of the face, including the muscles, fat, and ligaments. Instead of just pulling back the skin, the surgeon lifts and repositions the entire composite unit of skin, muscle, and fat. This allows for a more comprehensive and durable rejuvenation, creating a natural, refreshed appearance without the "pulled" or "stretched" look often associated with traditional facelifts. The technique is particularly effective for treating deep nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and jowls, providing a lasting solution for more severe signs of aging.

The deep plane facelift is a highly intricate procedure that requires an extensive understanding of facial anatomy. This is because the surgeon works in a deeper layer of the face, carefully navigating around important nerves and blood vessels. For this reason, not every plastic surgeon is trained to perform this specific technique. It requires specialized fellowship training and a great deal of experience to execute safely and effectively.

Dr. Edgar Vargas is one of the few surgeons with the advanced training and expertise required for this procedure. He received specialized training in the deep plane facelift technique at the Mayo Clinic. This specialized fellowship, combined with his broad experience in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, ensures that Dr. Vargas provides not only beautiful but also safe and long-lasting results for his patients. His commitment to continuous learning and precision in his work has earned him a reputation for excellence in the field of plastic surgery.

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 The deep plane facelift is ideal for patients who:

• Have moderate to severe sagging in the midface, jowls, or neck.
• Want a more natural-looking result than what traditional facelifts can offer.
• Are in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the outcome.
• Are looking for long-lasting results and are willing to invest in a more complex procedure.

It’s  important to note that the deep plane facelift is not a  one-size-fits-all solution. During your consultation, I’ll evaluate your  facial anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals to determine if this  procedure is right for you.

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Recovery from a deep plane facelift is similar to that of a  traditional facelift, though some patients may experience slightly more  swelling and bruising due to the deeper tissue manipulation. Here’s what  you can expect:

• Initial Recovery:
  
  • Swelling  and bruising are most noticeable in the first 1–2 weeks. Most patients  feel comfortable returning to light activities after 10–14 days.

• Final Results:
  
  • While  you’ll see noticeable improvements immediately, the final results will  emerge as the swelling subsides, typically within 3–6 months.

• Longevity:
  
  • With  proper care, the results of a deep plane facelift can last 10–15 years  or more, making it a worthwhile investment for many patients.

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