Deep Plane Facelift in Denver, CO

A modern, natural facelift

Facelifts have been performed for over 100 years, but for far too long they resulted in an unnatural, pulled look. This is because traditional facelifts predominately target the skin and do not properly address the underlying tissue and musculature of the face. Enter the Deep Plane Facelift.

Performed by a select group of specialized trained surgeons, the deep plane facelift procedure targets the underlying connective tissue and facial muscles. By lifting this tissue directly, there is no need to tug or pull on the skin, creating a restored, more youthful - and more importantly - more natural appearance.

Dr. Emily Misch is one of the leading experts in advanced facelift techniques and is conveniently located near Denver and Englewood. As a top female facial plastic surgeon, she focuses extensively on this renowned surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the underlying facial structure and provide a long-lasting solution to facial wrinkles, sagging skin, and sunken cheeks - all with natural looking results you can only find by choosing Denver's most qualified plastic surgeon.


What is a deep plane facelift?

The deep plane facelift is a facelift technique that focuses primarily on the deeper tissues of the face, a layer called the superficial muscular aponeurotic system. Traditional facelift procedures typically focus on the surface layers of the facial skin without addressing the facial tissue beneath it, which can also sag with time. By manipulating only excess skin, it can create an unnatural appearance when the facial tissues aren't lifted with it. The deep plane approach provides the most extensive and rejuvenating results possible with facial cosmetic surgery, creating a youthful appearance you may have never thought possible.

Who is a deep plane facelift candidate?

You are a candidate for deep plane facelift surgery if you have started developing noticeable signs of facial aging (sagging cheeks, jowls, neck laxity). Most patients are in their mid-to-late 40s or beyond, though some patients may be younger. The ideal age to undergo a deep plane facelift is specific to each person; some people prefer to combat aging early while others prefer to wait until their facial aging is more pronounced. There is no “perfect” time.

You should be overall healthy and a non-smoker. It is also important to have realistic expectations and a positive attitude to help you navigate your recovery!


What are the benefits of a deep plane facelift?

A deep plane facelift will help rejuvenate your face. It addresses the deeper layers of your face to help lift your cheeks, get rid of jowls, soften nasolabial folds, and reduce wrinkles. You will look naturally refreshed, rather than stretched and pulled as many people associate with traditional facelift techniques.

Most deep plane facelifts are combined with a neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery for maximum facial rejuvenation. Together, a deep plane facelift and neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery create a harmonious, more youthful appearance. Results are long-lasting, with most patients waiting 10+ years for additional touch ups, if they ever undergo them at all!

What is deep plane facelift recovery like?

Dr. Misch will see you the day after surgery in her Denver, CO facial plastic surgery clinic to remove dressings. The stitches will be gradually removed over the course of the next 10 days. At 2 weeks, bruising will be nearly fully resolved and swelling will have gone down significantly. At this point, you will feel comfortable running errands and shopping in public. By 4 weeks, you will see substantial improvements in your healing and swelling, with tighter skin, more defined facial features, and a remarkable natural beauty. You will feel comfortable going to parties with friends and family. Dr. Misch takes great care to ensure any incisions are virtually undetectable and well hidden within the natural facial contours - and that they produce minimal scarring.

Your healing will continue, with full, natural results seen around 6 months after facelift surgery. Dr. Misch will be with you every step of the way!

Why choose Dr. Misch for your deep plane facelift?

Through her training with one of the world’s experts in the deep plane facelift technique, Dr. Andrew Jacono, Dr. Misch has performed and assisted in over 400 deep plane facelifts. This is more than some plastic surgeons see in their entire career!

She will provide caring, compassionate treatment, both before and after your deep plane facelift surgery. She is available to answer your questions throughout your recovery. You will truly have someone supporting you every step of the way! Dr. Misch’s deep plane facelift will have you looking the age that you feel while still looking like you! You, improved.

Look and feel better, younger, refreshed. Improved.

Schedule a Consultation

When we feel confident, the people around us notice. Through an individualized, tailor made treatment plan, Dr. Misch can help you feel more self assured.

Deep Plane Facelift FAQs

  • Yes! As we age, our face and neck tissue begins to sag. This creates a fallen midface, jowls, and a loose neck. The shape of our face appears more square, as compared to the heart shaped face of youth. A deep plane facelift repositions your fallen tissues, lifting them back to their prior location, and restoring the heart shaped face of youth.

  • We recommend you wait at least 2 weeks before you return to strenuous exercise. That said, every patient is different, and Dr. Misch will give you a detailed timeline based on your progress.

  • To prepare for a deep plane facelift, you’ll want to avoid blood thinners, arrange a friend or family member to take you to and from surgery, set up a comfortable recovery space at your home, avoid smoking and alcohol, and pick up any prescriptions ahead of time. You’ll also want to take a week or two off work.

    More specifically, there are certain medications that must be stopped prior to surgery. Medications like NSAIDs and aspirin should be stopped at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Additionally, many supplements, such as Vitamin E, gingko biloba, St. John’s Wort, and others, also need to be stopped prior to surgery. Your surgeon should review your medication and supplement list and instruct you on which medications to hold prior to surgery.

    There are some supplements that can be helpful to take prior to surgery. These include Arnica, Bromelaine, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D. Speak with your surgeon directly about these supplements.

  • The results of a deep plane facelift typically last 10-15 years, but it can depend on your age, skin quality, lifestyle, and how well you take care of your skin after surgery. While a deep plane facelift can take a decade or more off your appearance, it can’t stop the natural aging process.

  • You will not feel any pain during the deep plane facelift procedure. We’ll start the procedure by administering general anesthesia. After your deep plane facelift, you may feel some discomfort, but Dr. Misch will prescribe pain medication to ensure you’re comfortable throughout your recovery process.

  • The best age for a deep plane facelift differs from patient to patient. Typically, patients consider a deep plane facelift in their late 40s to early 60s. If you’re seeing significant signs of aging, including lines and wrinkles, creases, and sagging skin, you are likely a good candidate for this procedure.

  • A deep plane facelift elevates a deeper layer of the face, called the SMAS, and releases it from facial ligaments. This allows for full mobilization of the face- which provides a dramatic, yet natural result.

    In a SMAS facelift, some amount of the SMAS layer is also elevated, but typically the SMAS is not released from the facial ligaments. As a result, the face is not able to be repositioned as easily. This can result in less dramatic results or pulling on the skin, which can cause scarring and an unnatural “pulled’ appearance.

  • The full recovery process with a deep plane facelift typically takes several months, but initial recovery takes about two weeks. Most swelling and bruising will be gone after about a month, with the final results visible after 3-6 months.

  • To start, no one NEEDS a deep plane facelift! It simply depends on what your goals are.

    For younger patients with minimal skin laxity, less invasive procedures like neuromodulators, filler, laser, and radiofrequency microneedling may give them the results they desire.

    Once skin has lost its elasticity and has become loose, results from less invasive procedures become fairly minimal and it is likely time to consider a deep plane facelift.

  • Incisions in a deep plane facelift are placed within the curves of the ear and along the hairline.

    By tightening the underlying structures of the face, no tension is placed on the skin in a deep plane facelift, allowing the incisions to heal nearly imperceptibly.

  • Most herbal supplements should be stopped 2 weeks prior to surgery. Any blood thinner or aspirin will also need to be stopped. You should avoid taking NSAIDs for 7 days prior to surgery.

    Supplements like arnica, bromelain, vitamin C, and zinc may be taken prior to surgery, as these can help reduce bruising and swelling.

    Dr. Misch will personally review your medication list prior to surgery and discuss what to and not to take with you directly.

  • In most instances, Dr. Misch places 2 drains, one on each side of the neck, after deep plane facelift surgery. These are removed anywhere from 1-5 days after surgery. Drains are not painful and they significantly help reduce swelling and bruising after surgery.