Give Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery a phone call at (805) 243-0640 Contact Us
Give Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery a phone call at (805) 243-0640 Contact Us

Deep Plane Facelift Surgery in Westlake Village by Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi

As a double board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Tansavatdi focuses exclusively on surgery of the face and neck. Deep plane facelift surgery is one of the procedures she performs most often and is central to her approach to full facial rejuvenation.

Her philosophy is rooted in restoration over reinvention. The goal is not to change who you are. It is to help you recognize yourself again — refreshed, supported, and naturally restored.

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What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift is a surgical technique that repositions the deeper layers of facial tissue, including the muscle-supporting layer and facial fat compartments that descend with age. Unlike more superficial facelift techniques that rely heavily on skin tightening, a deep plane facelift works beneath the SMAS layer to release and elevate the deeper facial structures.

This matters because facial aging does not happen only in the skin. Over time, the cheeks descend, the jawline softens, the nasolabial folds deepen, the jowls become more visible, and the neck loses definition. A deep plane facelift addresses these changes by lifting the deeper tissues more naturally, with less tension on the skin.

Because the skin is not used as the primary lifting force, the result can look softer, more natural, and more expressive.

Before & After Deep Plane Facelift

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Why Dr. Tansavatdi Specializes in Deep Plane Facelift Surgery

Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi has dedicated her practice to surgery of the face and neck. Her work is guided by years of studying facial anatomy, facial aging, expression, contour, and the way tissues move naturally.

Deep plane facelift surgery requires more than technical knowledge. It requires surgical judgment, repetition, artistry, and a deep understanding of how to move facial tissues without distorting expression.

Dr. Tansavatdi studies each patient’s face carefully before surgery. She evaluates the face at rest and in motion, observing expression, smile, cheek movement, jawline support, neck anatomy, and how each area relates to the whole. She also reviews earlier photos of the patient to understand how their face has changed over time.

Those older photos become a blueprint. They help reveal where volume has shifted, where support has been lost, and how the face once held its natural light, contour, and balance.

This is what makes her approach deeply personal. She is not designing a new face. She is studying the patient’s own face and restoring what time has shifted.

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Deep Plane Facelift vs. Traditional Facelift

A traditional facelift (also known as a SMAS Facelift) often focuses on tightening the skin and lifting the superficial layers of the face. While this can improve laxity, it may create visible tension if the deeper tissues are not adequately released and repositioned.

A deep plane facelift works at a deeper level. By releasing facial retaining ligaments and lifting the deeper facial tissues as a more connected unit, the procedure can restore the cheeks, soften the nasolabial folds, improve jowls, and refine the jawline with less reliance on skin tension.

The difference is not simply how much the face is lifted. It is how the lift is created. A deep plane facelift is designed to:

  • Reposition deeper facial tissues
  • Improve descended cheeks
  • Soften deep nasolabial folds
  • Reduce jowling
  • Restore jawline definition
  • Improve the lower face and neck transition
  • Create natural-looking facial support
  • Avoid a tight or pulled appearance
  • Preserve natural expression and movement

For Dr. Tansavatdi, the purpose of a deep plane facelift is not to make the face look “done.” It is to restore harmony in a way that feels believable, balanced, and authentically yours.

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What Areas Does a Deep Plane Facelift Improve?

A deep plane facelift can improve several areas of the aging face, especially when combined with a neck lift or other facial rejuvenation procedures.

Common areas addressed include:

  • Midface descent
  • Sagging cheeks
  • Deep nasolabial folds
  • Marionette area heaviness
  • Jowls
  • Loss of jawline definition
  • Lower face laxity
  • Facial heaviness
  • Neck laxity when combined with a neck lift
  • Overall facial imbalance caused by tissue descent

Many patients seeking a deep plane facelift feel that their face no longer reflects how they feel inside. They may notice that they look tired, heavier, sadder, or older than they feel. Dr. Tansavatdi’s goal is to restore facial support while preserving the patient’s natural identity.

Deep Plane Facelift and Neck Lift

In Dr. Tansavatdi’s practice, a deep plane facelift is often combined with a neck lift because the lower face and neck age together. Treating the face without addressing the neck can leave the result incomplete, especially when jowls, neck laxity, muscle banding, or deeper neck fullness are present. A neck lift may address:

  • Loose neck skin
  • Platysma muscle banding
  • Softness under the chin
  • Loss of neck definition
  • Blunting of the jawline
  • Deeper neck anatomy when needed

In select patients, Dr. Tansavatdi may also perform deep neck contouring to address deeper structures beneath the platysma that contribute to fullness or poor neck definition. This may include anterior digastric reduction or other deeper contouring techniques such as submandibular gland reduction when appropriate. By treating the face and neck together, Dr. Tansavatdi can create a more cohesive result from the cheeks to the jawline to the neck.

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Deep Plane Facelift and Full Face Rejuvenation

Although some patients are candidates for a deep plane facelift and neck lift alone, many benefit from a more comprehensive plan. Dr. Tansavatdi’s Signature Full Face Rejuvenation may combine deep plane facelift surgery with other procedures to restore balance across the entire face. This may include:

  • Deep plane facelift
  • Deep neck lift
  • Deep neck contouring
  • Brow lift
  • Upper eyelid surgery
  • Lower eyelid surgery
  • Ptosis repair
  • Facial fat transfer
  • Lip lift
  • Chin augmentation
  • Skin and recovery support

The purpose of combining procedures is not to do more for the sake of doing more. It is to create balance. When the brow, eyes, cheeks, jawline, neck, and volume changes are evaluated together, the final result can look more natural because no one feature appears isolated or overcorrected. Dr. Tansavatdi selects each procedure with intention so the face looks cohesive, restored, and naturally supported.

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The Tansavatdi Difference

Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi is known for natural-looking facial rejuvenation rooted in artistry, anatomy, and emotional understanding. Her practice is built around the belief that patients deserve to feel seen, heard, and supported through every step of the surgical journey.

Her approach to deep plane facelift surgery reflects the larger philosophy of Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery: restore identity, preserve expression, and support the whole person behind the face. Patients often choose Dr. Tansavatdi because:

  • She specializes in surgery of the face and neck
  • She is double board-certified and fellowship-trained
  • Deep plane facelift surgery is one of her primary specialties
  • She creates natural-looking results that preserve identity
  • She studies the face in motion, not just in still photographs
  • She reviews older photos to understand each patient’s unique aging pattern
  • She takes time in consultation and surgical planning
  • She offers a warm, supportive, women-led practice environment
  • She considers recovery, wellness, lifestyle, and long-term maintenance

For Dr. Tansavatdi, facial rejuvenation is not about making someone look like a different person. It is about helping them feel more like themselves again.

Who Is a Candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift may be appropriate for patients who have moderate to advanced facial aging and want improvement in the cheeks, jawline, jowls, and lower face. Good candidates often notice:

  • Sagging cheeks
  • Deepening nasolabial folds
  • Jowls
  • Loss of jawline definition
  • Lower face heaviness
  • Neck laxity
  • A tired or aged facial expression
  • A face that no longer feels aligned with how they feel inside

Candidacy depends on facial anatomy, health, skin quality, tissue laxity, neck anatomy, prior procedures, and personal goals. During consultation, Dr. Tansavatdi will determine whether a deep plane facelift, neck lift, full face rejuvenation, or another approach is best suited to the patient.

What Happens During a Deep Plane Facelift?

Deep plane facelift surgery is performed with careful attention to the deeper support layers of the face. Incisions are typically placed around the ears and hairline in areas designed to heal discreetly.

During surgery, Dr. Tansavatdi releases and repositions the deeper facial tissues to restore support to the cheeks, lower face, and jawline. The skin is then redraped without excessive tension so the result looks natural and the incisions can heal as smoothly as possible.

The exact surgical plan varies by patient. Some patients require a facelift and neck lift. Others may need deep neck contouring, fat transfer, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or other supporting procedures to achieve the most balanced result.

Every plan is individualized.

Recovery After Deep Plane Facelift Surgery

Recovery after a deep plane facelift depends on the procedures performed, the patient’s anatomy, and the individual healing response. Swelling, bruising, tightness, numbness, and a feeling of pressure are expected during early healing.

Many patients take about two weeks away from regular work, social activity, and daily responsibilities. Swelling and tightness continue to improve over several weeks, and the face gradually softens as healing progresses.

Patients should avoid strenuous exercise, excessive neck movement, heavy lifting, and activities that increase swelling during the early recovery period. Dr. Tansavatdi and her team provide detailed recovery instructions and follow-up care to support healing.

For major events, patients should allow several months for swelling to settle and the result to become more refined.

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Patient Testimonials

"I initially went to meet with Dr. Tansavatdi because she had gotten excellent Yelp reviews. So now I'll pay it forward to someone else trying to find a good plastic surgeon.

I was impressed from the first visit. She took time to understand my goals and reasons for want...

"I initially went to meet with Dr. Tansavatdi because she had gotten excellent Yelp reviews. So now I'll pay it forward to someone else trying to find a good plastic surgeon.

I was impressed from the first visit. She took time to understand my goals and reasons for wanting to change my face (I had just turned 60 and had been developing jowls which bothered me). I told her I wanted it to look natural, and not fake like some movie stars or people my age trying to look 30. She understood, showed me example photos, and suggested I have a deep plane face lift and also consider getting fat injected under my eyes. I had noticed for many years that I had hollows under my eyes, but I didn't know you could do anything about it. I decided to do both. She then clearly explained what I could expect from the surgery and what it would and would not fix.

Throughout the process, I felt I was in good hands, which was important because after all, it's my face! She and her staff were very professional and gave me detailed daily instructions about what to do, eat, and pills to take in the weeks before and the month after the surgery. She had videos I could watch so I knew exactly what to expect. She had several follow up visits with me to make sure I was doing well. The areas under my eyes were bruised and puffy for a while, so she injected them with something and zapped them with a laser (no extra charge) to speed up healing.

Now it's 4 months after the surgery, and I am so happy with the results! I no longer have jowls, and I'm so glad I took her advice about the hollows under my eyes because my face looks much younger and healthier with those gone. A few weeks ago, I was getting dressed up to go out and looked at my face in the mirror and thought, "I look pretty!" It had been many years since that thought had popped into my head.

I'm very glad I chose to trust her with my face."

S.M.

"I cannot possibly find enough good things to say about Doctor T and her entire staff. Dr. T did a rhinoplasty and deep neck lift for me. The results are outstanding. She is so knowledgeable and professional. She pays the very most attention to detail. She is kind and she is a...

"I cannot possibly find enough good things to say about Doctor T and her entire staff. Dr. T did a rhinoplasty and deep neck lift for me. The results are outstanding. She is so knowledgeable and professional. She pays the very most attention to detail. She is kind and she is attentive. Her staff is also unparalleled. Prepare to be WOW'ed by your experience and results!"

Jordan B.

This review is from my mother Rose who recently had a comprehensive facelift and both a upper and lower eyelid lift. She found Dr. T through Yelp based on all her fantastic reviews and honestly couldn't agree more. Dr. T is professional, thorough, understanding and makes sure ...

This review is from my mother Rose who recently had a comprehensive facelift and both a upper and lower eyelid lift. She found Dr. T through Yelp based on all her fantastic reviews and honestly couldn't agree more. Dr. T is professional, thorough, understanding and makes sure you are comfortable with all aspects of your procedure. Not only is Dr. T fantastic at what she does but she is an expert in her field. My mother was beautiful before her surgery and Dr. T enhanced my mothers natural beauty in a way that captured how she felt inside! 50 going on 35! Our family will continue to recommend Dr. T and her wonderful staff to all our friends and family! If you are feeling apprehensive or unsure Dr. T will provide you with all the answers you need to start this new chapter in your life! I should also mention her new facility is so beautiful! You can see all the hard work Dr.T and her staff put into it to make her clients feel welcome!

Abby B.

“I have worked with many surgeons as an RN. I wouldn’t go to anyone else for my face! I am almost one year post op and look great.”

Dana K.

"Great team & masterful plastic surgeon specializing in face & neck. I had many consultations all around & after seeing Dr Tansadvati’s work, meeting her & her staff I was convinced I was in the right place & in the best hands. I highly recommend Dr T. beca...

"Great team & masterful plastic surgeon specializing in face & neck. I had many consultations all around & after seeing Dr Tansadvati’s work, meeting her & her staff I was convinced I was in the right place & in the best hands. I highly recommend Dr T. because she will tailor her work according to your individual needs & provide a natural result. She’s got the artistic eye & skill to make you look your best and conserve your natural expression. People will wonder and only the daring will ask: “How is it that you look so good. What is your secret?”"

Giga A.

"Dr. Tans did an amazing job on my upper/lower eyelid surgery! I’m so pleased and happy at how it turned out. Dr. Tans and her staff were wonderful and treated me with kindness and respect. I totally trust her and will definitely be back for another procedure! Thank you for gi...

"Dr. Tans did an amazing job on my upper/lower eyelid surgery! I’m so pleased and happy at how it turned out. Dr. Tans and her staff were wonderful and treated me with kindness and respect. I totally trust her and will definitely be back for another procedure! Thank you for giving me back my confidence!"

Susie L.

"I just loved Dr. T and her team. Everyone is wonderful and really care about their patients. I am 57 and got an endoscopic deep plane facelift with fat transfer, underbleph and eye brow lift and i am very happy with the results. It has been a month and so far so good. No pain...

"I just loved Dr. T and her team. Everyone is wonderful and really care about their patients. I am 57 and got an endoscopic deep plane facelift with fat transfer, underbleph and eye brow lift and i am very happy with the results. It has been a month and so far so good. No pain at all. Dr. T has magic hands; she is excellent a what she does and she is a master in endoscopic surgery. I definitely recommend her and her staff. You will be in great hands with her."

Diana P.
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Recovery Support at Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr. Tansavatdi’s approach to recovery is highly supportive and structured. Patients may receive guidance on wound care, activity restrictions, scar care, swelling management, nutrition, supplements, and wellness habits that support healing.

For facelift and full facial rejuvenation patients, recovery support may include services such as nursing care coordination, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, lymphatic drainage massage, red light therapy, and personalized postoperative instructions when appropriate.

The goal is to help patients feel supported not only on surgery day, but throughout the entire healing process.

How Long Do Deep Plane Facelift Results Last?

Deep plane facelift results are designed to be long-lasting because the deeper facial tissues are repositioned rather than relying only on skin tightening. While no procedure stops the natural aging process, a well-planned deep plane facelift can create meaningful improvement for many years.

Longevity depends on several factors, including skin quality, bone structure, lifestyle, weight stability, hormone changes, sun exposure, genetics, and ongoing maintenance.

Dr. Tansavatdi often discusses long-term skin health, wellness, and nonsurgical maintenance as part of a complete facial rejuvenation plan.

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Deep Plane Facelift Cost

The cost of a deep plane facelift varies depending on the patient’s anatomy, surgical complexity, anesthesia, facility fees, recovery needs, and whether additional procedures are performed.

Because Dr. Tansavatdi customizes every surgical plan, pricing is provided after consultation. This allows the quote to reflect the actual procedures recommended and the level of care involved.

At Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery, pricing reflects more than surgical time. It reflects years of focused experience, detailed planning, surgical judgment, complication awareness, recovery support, and long-term follow-up.

A deep plane facelift is a significant investment. For the right patient, it can also be one of the most meaningful investments in confidence, self-recognition, and how they move through the world. For more information on pricing, visit our pricing page.

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Schedule a Deep Plane Facelift Consultation

If you are considering a deep plane facelift in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, Southern California, or are traveling from out of state or outside the country, your journey begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi.

During consultation, Dr. Tansavatdi will listen to your concerns, study your facial anatomy, review older photos when available, evaluate your face and neck together, and explain which surgical plan may best restore natural balance. To schedule a consultation with Tansavatdi Facial Plastic Surgery, please contact our office.

Frequently Asked Questions Deep Plane Facelift

What is a deep plane facelift?

A deep plane facelift is a facial rejuvenation procedure that repositions the deeper facial tissues beneath the SMAS layer. It is designed to improve the cheeks, nasolabial folds, jowls, jawline, and lower face with less reliance on skin tension.

How is a deep plane facelift different from a traditional facelift?

A traditional facelift often focuses more on tightening the skin and superficial layers. A deep plane facelift releases and repositions deeper facial tissues, allowing the face to be lifted in a more natural and supported way.

Why does Dr. Tansavatdi prefer the deep plane facelift technique?

Dr. Tansavatdi prefers the deep plane approach because it allows her to restore deeper facial support, improve the midface and jawline, and create natural-looking results without relying on a tight skin pull.

Does a deep plane facelift include the neck?

A deep plane facelift is often combined with a neck lift because the lower face and neck age together. Dr. Tansavatdi will evaluate whether a neck lift, deep neck contouring, or other neck procedures are needed for a balanced result.

Will I look pulled after a deep plane facelift?

The goal is to avoid a pulled or tight appearance. Because a deep plane facelift repositions deeper tissues rather than simply tightening the skin, the result can look more natural and expressive when performed with the right technique and judgment.

How long does recovery take after a deep plane facelift?

Most patients take about two weeks away from work and social activity. Swelling, tightness, and numbness improve gradually over several weeks, with continued refinement over several months.

How long do deep plane facelift results last?

Results vary by patient, but deep plane facelift surgery is designed to create long-lasting improvement because it repositions deeper facial tissues. Aging continues naturally, but patients often enjoy meaningful improvement for many years.

Can a deep plane facelift be combined with other procedures?

Yes. Dr. Tansavatdi often combines deep plane facelift surgery with neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, facial fat transfer, deep neck contouring, or other procedures as part of full face rejuvenation.

Am I too young for a deep plane facelift?

Age alone does not determine candidacy. Some patients in their 40s or 50s may be candidates if they have facial descent, jowling, or neck changes. Others may not need surgery yet. Dr. Tansavatdi will evaluate your anatomy, goals, and timing.

Why do patients travel to Dr. Tansavatdi for deep plane facelift surgery?

Patients travel to Dr. Tansavatdi because she specializes in facial plastic surgery, performs deep plane facelift surgery frequently, and is known for natural-looking results that preserve identity. Her consultation process, recovery support, and personalized planning are also important reasons patients seek her care.

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You deserve a plastic surgeon who sees you for who you truly are. Contact Dr. Tansavatdi today to learn more about her practice and schedule your private consultation.

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