How Long Is Recovery After a Deep Plane Facelift?
Recovery after a deep plane facelift depends on your anatomy and healing process, as well as…Read On
TLKM Plastic Surgery
737 North Michigan Avenue #1500
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 788-2560
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
If you want a highly advanced, natural-looking option for facial rejuvenation, a deep plane facelift performed by Dr. Thomas Mustoe, founder of TLKM Plastic Surgery in Chicago, stands apart. His technique lifts the deeper structural layers of the face, especially the midface, jawline, and neck, as a single integrated unit, helping ensure subtle, refined, and natural-looking outcomes. A key element that sets his technique apart is the use of IV sedation instead of general anesthesia, for a safer, gentler surgical experience with a faster, more comfortable recovery.
Few surgeons possess Dr. Mustoe’s in-depth understanding of facial anatomy and artistic precision. He is dual board-certified in plastic surgery and otolaryngology, completed residency training under Nobel Prize-winning surgeon Dr. Joseph Murray, and has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 30 consecutive years. Dr. Mustoe has performed more than 3,500 deep plane facelifts, one of the highest volumes in the country. His technique has been published in peer-reviewed journals and adopted by surgeons nationally and internationally.
A facelift performed by Dr. Mustoe leaves you looking refreshed without revealing any evidence of surgery. Close friends, family, and colleagues will notice you look 10 to 15 years younger, without knowing why. The longevity and quality of his results are reflected in the fact that approximately 30% of Dr. Mustoe’s deep plane facelift patients return for a second procedure, typically after 10 to 15 years.
Before & After
Case: 1 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Photos
Before & After
Case: 2 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Photos
8 months post-op
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Photos
The 55-year-old female patient pictured above was driven by considerable changes of aging, particularly evident in the areas around the jowls and cheeks, thin lips, the early appearance of vertical lines around the mouth, and changes in her neck. This active runner and yoga enthusiast sought out the exceptional Facelift/Minilift by Dr. Mustoe... Read More
Before & After
Case: 4 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Photos
At the vibrant age of 71, this patient elected to undergo several procedures with Dr. Thomas Mustoe to preserve her natural beauty and active lifestyle, without an overly tight or pulled appearance. Her personalized facial rejuvenation included a deep plane facelift/minilift, neck lift, upper blepharoplasty, brow lift, and fat grafting around... Read More
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Photos
✨ Refreshed & Rejuvenated ✨
Deep plane facelift with perioral fat grafting, upper blepharoplasty, and lower eyelid fat grafting for a natural, youthful transformation. Subtle enhancements, powerful results. 💫👁️💉
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep Plane Facelift, Upper Blepharoplasty, Perioral & Lower Eyelid Fa... Read More
Deep plane facelift with perioral fat grafting, upper blepharoplasty, and lower eyelid fat grafting for a natural, youthful transformation. Subtle enhancements, powerful results. 💫👁️💉
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep Plane Facelift, Upper Blepharoplasty, Perioral & Lower Eyelid Fa... Read More
Before & After
Case: 6 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Photos
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep plane Facelift, upper blepharoplasty, temporal brow lift.
Procedure Time: 3.5 hours
Anesthesia: IV Sedation and local anesthesia
Recovery: 7-10 days
Back to Work: 1-2 weeks
Exercise: Avoid strenuous activity for 1 week
Provider: Dr.... Read More
Procedure Type: Deep plane Facelift, upper blepharoplasty, temporal brow lift.
Procedure Time: 3.5 hours
Anesthesia: IV Sedation and local anesthesia
Recovery: 7-10 days
Back to Work: 1-2 weeks
Exercise: Avoid strenuous activity for 1 week
Provider: Dr.... Read More
Before & After
Case: 7 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Photos
Meeting the subtle changes of aging with courage and resolve, this 43-year-old professional woman decided to opt for a deep plane Facelift/Minilift by Dr. Mustoe in Chicago. Her primary motivation was not to alter her appearance drastically but to look fresher and effortlessly turn back time by ten years, all while keeping any evidence of hav... Read More
Before & After
Case: 8 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift Before and After Photos
At age 62, this patient sought to make her outward appearance better reflect her active and vibrant lifestyle. After having her primary facelift over a decade ago, she decided to pursue another procedure, opting for a secondary deep plane facelift, along with perioral fat grafting and ablative laser with spot dermabrasion around her mouth. Sh... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
I love precise surgical dissection and the complexity of facelift procedures, which involve hundreds of steps, all of which make a difference. I am continually looking to refine and improve my outcomes, which makes the surgery fresh and interesting even after more than 35 years.
-Dr. Thomas Mustoe
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
Traditional facelifts focus primarily on pulling the skin or tightening the surface muscles without completely releasing them from their deeper attachments. A deep plane facelift works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). By treating the skin, fat, and superficial muscle layer as an integrated unit, Dr. Mustoe can more completely release the retaining ligaments (vertical-oriented collagen fibers that anchor the superficial muscle fascia layer in place). This creates the most natural lift and achieves comprehensive rejuvenation in the midface.
Dr. Mustoe’s innovative approach also addresses the platysma muscle in the neck, which is continuous with the SMAS in the face. By lifting these tissues together in the same vertical and slightly oblique direction, he avoids the pulled or overly tight look in the lower face, characteristic of so many facelifts.
Compared to mini or mid-facelifts, the deep plane technique offers more extensive rejuvenation of the midface, lower face, and neck. Results allow your face to move naturally with facial expression and tend to last significantly longer. This is because the superficial muscle layer is truly released, repositioned, and any excess removed. While simpler techniques tend to rely on sutures that are unable to hold tension long-term, Dr. Mustoe’s true repositioning delivers results that are both durable and natural in appearance.
Are You a Good Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?
Ideal candidates are typically in their 40s to 70s with noticeable aging in the lower face, neck, or midface. Most are looking for a meaningful improvement in their appearance without sacrificing their natural look.
This procedure may be right for you if you’re concerned about:
- Sagging cheeks or midface volume loss
- Jowling or a softening jawline
- Loose neck skin or visible neck bands
- Deep nasolabial folds or marionette lines
During your consultation, Dr. Mustoe performs a comprehensive facial evaluation and develops a fully personalized treatment plan based on your facial structure, aging pattern, and goals.
Why Choose Dr. Mustoe for Your Deep Plane Facelift?
Dr. Mustoe is recognized among Chicago’s top plastic surgeons—and internationally—as a leader in advanced facial surgery with an approach that comprehensively addresses the aging face.
Instead of making incisions under the chin or tightening muscles in the center of the neck, Dr. Mustoe’s signature approach carefully releases supporting ligaments and lifts the neck muscles in a way that follows the natural aging process (instead of working against it). This technique dramatically improves the lower neck’s appearance while avoiding tension and distortion in the midface.
Here’s what sets the deep plane facelift experience with Dr. Mustoe apart:
- Uses IV sedation instead of general anesthesia for greater safety and comfort
- Comprehensive release of the SMAS layer, preventing tension that causes unnatural-looking results
- No incision under the chin (submental incisions) or central neck muscle tightening (platysma plication)
- No drains and minimal compression dressings
- Sharp dissection techniques that reduce bruising and swelling
- Anatomic precision that minimizes visible scarring and helps prevent facial distortion
- Reduces surgery time to 2 ½ hours versus the typical 4 to 5 hours
- Shortens downtime, accelerating the return to normal activities
- Minimizes visible scarring, reducing the likelihood of scar revision
- Customizes each lift to the patient’s unique facial anatomy
- Achieves natural-looking results that preserve your identity and avoid a “pulled” look
- Results are long-lasting, up to 10 to 15 years or longer
Many patients say friends and family never suspect they’ve had surgery, only that they look refreshed and youthful. These subtle yet transformative results are why Dr. Mustoe is widely considered the best deep plane facelift surgeon in Chicago.
Dr. Thomas Mustoe: A Pioneer in Deep Plane Facelift Surgery
Dr. Mustoe has performed more than 3,500 deep plane facelifts over the last three decades. Since first adopting the approach in 1989, he has continued to refine his technique, introducing advanced modifications that improve safety, comfort, and aesthetic outcomes.
Highlights of Dr. Mustoe’s professional contributions include:
- Dozens of peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapter on facial plastic surgery
- Recognized speaker and educator at elite national and international conferences
- Approximately 1,000 5-star reviews touting his exceptional surgical expertise and patient approach
- Master of treating the aging face as a cohesive unit for comprehensive rejuvenation
Dr. Mustoe’s legacy is built not just on surgical excellence but also on continued innovation and a relentless commitment to achieving the most natural, lasting, and refined facelift results possible.
His trailblazing approach and innovative surgical contributions have been widely recognized in respected medical texts and peer-reviewed journals. His signature techniques have shaped the field and continue to influence how surgeons approach facial rejuvenation today. Highlights of Dr. Mustoe’s published facelift-related work include:
Textbook: “Aesthetic Head and Neck Surgery,” Samuel J. Lin and Thomas A. Mustoe, co-editors
Article: “Modified Deep Plane Rhytidectomy With Lateral Approach to the Neck” (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2010)
Article: “The Staged Facelift: Addressing the Biomechanical Limitations of Primary Rhytidectomy” (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2012)
Article: “Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Skin, SMAS, and Composite Flaps as They Pertain to Rhytidectomy” (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2002)
A Comprehensive Approach To Treating the Aging Face
For optimal results, Dr. Mustoe may recommend combining your deep plane facelift with additional procedures such as:
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
- Lateral brow lift
- Neck lift
- Fat transfer to restore youthful volume
- Laser treatments, dermabrasion, or chemical peels to refine skin texture
- BOTOX® Cosmetic or fillers to smooth wrinkles and creases
These options help enhance and maintain your facelift results for a more youthful, refreshed, and natural-looking appearance.
Accelerated Recovery & Healing: What To Expect
Thanks to Dr. Mustoe’s meticulous techniques and use of local anesthesia with sedation, patients typically enjoy a faster, more comfortable recovery. Key benefits of his approach include:
- Minimal bruising and swelling
- No drains or extensive wound dressings
- Sedation instead of general anesthesia for quicker wake-up and less postoperative fog
- Most patients return to social activities within 10 to 14 days
Many patients can resume work and appear fresh-faced on Zoom calls within a week.
Deep Plane Facelift FAQ
What are the risks associated with a deep plane facelift?
As with any surgery, a deep plane facelift may pose rare risks such as scarring or nerve injury. However, in my career, I have never had a patient experience a permanent nerve injury, unplanned hospital admission, or any other serious health issue related to surgery. My advanced techniques and careful approach are designed to minimize risks, ensure your safety, and help you achieve a natural, lasting result.
How long does a deep plane facelift last?
Results typically last 10 to 15 years. Due to the deep repositioning of structural tissues, you’ll age subtly yet gracefully.
Do you still look natural after a deep plane facelift?
Yes. The hallmark of Dr. Mustoe’s work is a refreshed appearance that avoids tightness or obvious signs of surgery. His goal is for your family and closest friends to notice you look younger and better, not different. In other words, you will receive compliments on your “fresh-faced” look without people ever questioning if you’ve had “work done.”
Does a deep plane facelift leave scars?
While scarring is a common concern, it’s rarely an issue for Dr. Mustoe’s patients. Thanks to his meticulous deep plane technique, which places all tension on the deeper tissue layers—not the skin—incisions heal with minimal visibility. Scars are carefully placed along natural creases, inside the ear, and along the hairline, making them well concealed. In most cases, even patients with short hair can return to social activities without others noticing any signs of surgery.
Begin Your Facial Rejuvenation Journey With Dr. Mustoe
If you’re considering a deep plane facelift in Chicago and want natural-looking, long-lasting results, consult the region’s most experienced facial plastic surgery expert. Use the online form to request a consultation with Dr. Mustoe or call us at (312) 788-2560.
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