Reverse Facial Aging with a Customized Deep Plane Facelift by Dr. Demetri

A deep plane facelift is ideal for individuals seeking a more comprehensive and long-lasting facial rejuvenation. Candidates typically include:

• Individuals experiencing moderate to severe skin laxity in the midface, jawline, and neck
• Those with deep nasolabial folds and sagging jowls
• Patients who desire a natural-looking lift without a "pulled" appearance
• Healthy non-smokers with realistic expectations about surgery and recovery
• Individuals looking for a more advanced alternative to a traditional facelift

A thorough consultation with Dr. Demetri will assess your facial anatomy, skin elasticity, and overall health to confirm your compatibility with facelift surgery and the potential results. If you are a candidate, Dr. Demetri and his team will provide a detailed treatment plan and instructions to follow to prepare for your procedure.

Dr. Demetri performs outpatient surgery in the fully equipped operating room located in his Tampa clinic, with advanced facelift surgery typically lasting three to four hours. On the day of your procedure, you will meet Dr. Demetri’s surgical team. This includes our board-certified anesthesiologist, operating nurse, and surgical assistant. Once you are in the operating room here’s generally what to expect:

• An intravenous line is started to begin administering twilight sedation that will keep you fully comfortable throughout the procedure. Once you are comfortably sedated, lidocaine is injected into the face and neck to reduce discomfort later that same day.
• Precise incisions that will be barely visible once healed, are made within the hairline and around the ears. Then the deeper layers of tissue, muscles, and ligaments are lifted back to their youthful position to ensure a natural-looking outcome.
• The overlying skin is repositioned and meticulously trimmed and tightened, ensuring there will not be skin tension that looks unnatural. If needed, small drains may be put in place for a few days to handle excess fluid and help with swelling.
• Incisions are closed with fine sutures and covered, you may have compression wrapping or a chin strap to help with support and healing.
• Post-operative monitoring for a couple of hours in our recovery area before being discharged to the care of a friend or family member who will provide transportation and stay with you overnight. If needed, one of our registered nurses can help care for you as well.

Below is a general timeline, however, the amount of time downtime and healing needed by individual patients for facelift recovery can vary based on the details of their case. Diligently following our pre-and-post surgical instructions are both essential ways for ensuring a smooth recovery, avoiding complications and achieving the best result.

DAYS 1-5:

• Apply cold packs around your face and neck to help reduce swelling.
• Sleep with your head elevated by placing several pillows behind you.
• No showering the day after surgery with your drains.
• Your drains will be removed in a couple of days depending on the output.
• On the second day after the procedure, you may shower and wash your hair, even if the drains are still in place.
• Swelling will increase up to the fourth or fifth day after your surgery and then start to subside.

WEEKS 1-2:

• On day eight we typically remove your sutures.
• It is safe to resume light activities such as neighborhood walks.
• Do not drive if you are still taking pain medications. Once you feel your strength is back, then you can drive.
• Makeup may be applied after about day ten.
• The bruising and swelling will be significantly improved by week two. We typically say you are “restaurant ready” in about 10-14 days.

WEEK 3:

• At this point, you may resume moderate exercise.
• There will be a big improvement in swelling and bruising after the third week.
• You can return to a regular skin care routine.

WEEKS 4-6+:

• Most patients resume strenuous activities.
• Return to the office for your complementary Morpheus8 treatment, typically performed 10 weeks post-procedure. This helps with any persistent inflammation and further improves your skin texture.

The results of a deep plane facelift are known for their longevity, typically lasting ten or more. Factors that influence the duration of results include:

• Individual skin quality and elasticity
• Lifestyle choices, such as sun exposure and smoking
• Proper skincare and maintenance treatments
• Eating healthy and staying hydrated

Periodic skin treatments with lasers or radiofrequency energy designed to repair surface damage and increase collagen and elastin growth in deeper tissues offer an effective and non-surgical solution to help you maintain a more youthful appearance.

Yes! Many patients choose to combine a facelift with a brow (forehead) lift, addressing aging in both the upper and lower face for more comprehensive and balanced results. After sufficient healing has occurred, injectable treatments with our wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers can also be an ideal way to optimize your initial facelift results or fresh them after a few years.

The average cost of a deep plane facelift performed by Dr. Demetri ranges between $20,000 - $35,000 and is based on each patient’s individual needs, a personalized price quote is provided during the consultation. Included with your facelift procedure are a number of non-surgical treatments designed to improve the overall appearance, quality, and structure of your facial skin.

Yes! Dr. Demetri is pleased to offer the patients the convenience of financing their facelift surgery through a nationally trusted lender. For more information or to schedule a consultation contact our office today, our billing team will happily assist you with information on financing and the payment methods we accept.

Yes! Whether you are traveling from outside of the state or from another area of Florida, we can help you plan your transportation, accommodations and aftercare as needed. All patients can choose to confirm their candidacy for a procedure through our virtual consultation process, contact our office today for more information on how to get started.