About the Procedure

As Dr. Yang’s most popular procedure, the Lower Facelift utilizes the tried-and-true Deep Plane facelift technique, with a few modifications. The Lower Facelift procedure provides contouring to the jawline while relocating fat and facial tissue that have begun to sag and gravitate downward. Dr. Yang typically performs this procedure in conjunction with a Necklift to create more dramatic results to the neck and jawline. Dr. Yang performs the Lower Facelift procedure at the Center for Specialty Care under IV sedation.

The Best Candidate for a Lower Facelift

Because the Lower Facelift addresses facial sagging and volume loss on a deeper level, it is recommended for patients with moderate to significant signs of facial aging such as jowling, deep folds and wrinkles, and lower facial sagging. Additionally, patients with cheeks that are sunken or have begun to sag see more youthful cheek positioning following the procedure.

Surgical Technique

The modified deep plane lift is a variation of the standard deep plane lift that does not involve manipulation of the tissues above the lower 1/3 portion of the face. Dr. Yang prefers to offer the modified variation because it results in less “bunching” at the cheeks and eyes that would normally require a browlift to eradicate. Furthermore, because his deep plane facelift does not extend as far up as traditional procedures of this type, the scar is substantially shorter. When performed in conjunction with a Necklift, the procedure includes a platysmaplasty and a small, virtually undetectable incision under the chin.

Recovery

After surgery the sutures are removed by the 8th post-operative day. There will be mild to moderate bruising on the neck that typically migrates down towards the chest and is unnoticeable after the first couple of days with clothing on. The swelling from surgery gradually begins to subside after 2-3 weeks but takes longer to dissipate completely. Patients are able to resume moderate excercise 3-4 weeks following surgery.