Facelift
Northern Virginia and Washington DC area
Deep Plane Facelift
Your face is one of your most prized features—it reflects how you feel inside to the world. Many of our patients feel youthful on the inside, but their facial appearance doesn’t reflect that. Facial aging affects the skin, muscles, and fat, and to truly rejuvenate the face, all layers must be addressed. A facelift performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, especially one skilled in deep plane facelifts, can effectively accomplish this.
Dr. George Bitar is an expert in deep plane facelift surgery, having trained with the best facelift surgeons in the world and having lectured about it to facelift surgeons from around the world. He recently performed live a deep plane facelift in Brazil to an audience of facelift surgeons watching in the operating room his cutting-edge techniques.
A deep plane facelift is a more advanced facelift technique that requires excellent knowledge of facial anatomy and surgical versatility that comes with the experience of having performed thousands of facelifts because it addresses the deeper tissues of the face for more comprehensive and long-lasting results up to twenty years. This advanced technique allows for a natural, youthful appearance, without a “done” look attracting younger patients in their forties.
Many of our patients in their forties, fifties, and even eighties choose facelifts with Dr. Bitar whether as a first-time procedure, or to enhance a prior facelift done elsewhere that did not yield the desired results, to rejuvenate their appearance for a variety of reasons, whether it’s to feel more confident, compete in the workplace, or simply to enjoy a refreshed look.
Identifying The Right Facelift Technique
When patients are unhappy with their appearance, it can sometimes be challenging to pinpoint exactly why. Here are a few common concerns and the solutions we offer:
- Excess fat in the neck but good skin and muscle tone: Neck liposuction is recommended (May be performed under local or general anesthesia)
- Excess fat in the neck with loose skin and muscle: A neck lift may be appropriate (May be performed under general anesthesia).
Laxity in the neck, jowls, and jawline: A mini facelift may be the solution. (May be performed under general anesthesia). - Laxity in the neck, jowls, and cheeks: A deep plane facelift or traditional facelift is the best option for comprehensive rejuvenation (May be performed under general anesthesia).
- Droopy eyebrows and forehead wrinkles: A forehead lift will provide the desired results (May be performed under general anesthesia).
Pain Level After Surgery
Anesthesia
Duration of Surgery
Scars
Final Results
You will look socially presentable in about a month
Return to regular activity
Resume Exercise
Price Range
Benefits Of Facelift Surgery
Dr. Bitar’s expertise in deep plane facelifts offers significant advantages for patients looking for profound facial rejuvenation:
- Natural, long-lasting results: By repositioning the deeper tissues, the deep plane facelift offers longer-lasting outcomes—typically 15-20 years—without a stretched or overly tightened look.
- Improved mid-face and jawline definition: This technique lifts the cheeks, jowls, and neck, addressing sagging skin and muscle at a deeper level for more defined and youthful facial contours.
- Minimized scarring: Scars are hidden within the hairline and around the ears, and this method doesn’t raise the hairline or require shaving.
- Versatility: The deep plane facelift can be adjusted to different facial shapes and levels of aging, providing excellent, personalized results for each patient. It is also not a one-size-fits-all; Dr. Bitar will adjust the facelift technique to your specific face, taking into consideration all the variables that make you unique.
Preparing For Surgery
During your initial consultation, Dr. Bitar will assess your candidacy for the deep plane facelift or another facelift technique.
- Your medical history will be reviewed
- You will be asked to visit your primary care physician for a physical exam and lab tests to ensure that you are in good health for surgery.
- You’ll also be required to stop medications that may cause bleeding (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen) one week before surgery
- And stop smoking two weeks before and after surgery for optimal healing
Patients often find reassurance in speaking with others who have had the same procedure, and we will provide an opportunity for you to connect with previous facelift patients. Regular post-operative check-ins ensure you are healing properly, and you are welcome to follow up with us, even years after your surgery.
Procedure Description
Dr. Bitar’s facelift technique, including the deep plane facelift, focuses on comprehensive rejuvenation of the cheeks, jowls, and neck. After administering tumescent solution to minimize bleeding, excess fat is removed either by direct excision or via liposuction, if necessary.
The skin is then carefully elevated, and the deeper supporting tissues (SMAS layer) are tightened to lift the cheeks and jowls, as well as the neck, restoring youthful contours to the face. In some cases, Dr. Bitar may also perform his signature suture suspension necklift technique in addition to the deep plane facelift to enhance the neck and jaw contour.
In a deep plane facelift, Dr. Bitar repositions the deeper facial tissues to achieve more profound and longer-lasting results, particularly in the mid-face area, which standard facelifts may not fully address. After tightening the muscles and removing any excess skin, incisions are carefully concealed in natural folds around the ears and hairline.
Fat transfer to the mid-face can also be combined with the procedure to restore lost volume for a fully refreshed appearance. Upper and lower eyelid lifts, forehead lifts, rhinoplasty, and chin implants are ancillary procedures that Dr. Bitar often performs at the same time as a facelift to give amazingly youthful results.
Schedule a ConsultationBefore and After Photos
“Dr. Bitar and his staff provided exceptional care. From my consultation, to pre OP appointment and the day of surgery, Dr. Bitar and his staff took great care of me. They made me feel so comfortable and I am absolutely in love with the results. I travelled from Pennsylvania and can’t wait to work with them again. The staff in the office are some of the most caring people I have ever met. Special thanks to Dr. Bitar and Trish! You are truly the best!”
– Dina G
How We Minimize Complications Of Facelifts
At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we prioritize patient safety and satisfaction. With every facelift, including the deep plane facelift, we follow strict protocols to minimize complications, from thorough pre-operative preparation to using state-of-the-art surgical centers with board-certified anesthesiologists.
Dr. Bitar is an expert in safety when it comes to outpatient cosmetic surgery procedures. He is the lead author on a study of 4,774 patients who underwent cosmetic surgery safely and the guidelines to ensure continued safety.
Our surgery center is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF) which ensures the highest levels of safety and first-rate medical care.
Our anesthesia is administered by board certified anesthesiologists to ensure the highest standards of anesthesia care.
General Complications
General complications can occur with any surgery. Cosmetic surgery is usually a safe surgery performed on healthy patients and, as all surgeries go, is with low risk. What we do to even lower the risk of complications is to operate at a first class surgery center with board certified anesthesiologists and nurses. To avoid post-operative complications, we advocate early mobilization –patients seen in our office one or two days after surgery- and active participation in their own post-operative care. When we create a partnership, the results invariably improve.
Bleeding
Bleeding after a facelift happens in about 1-2% of patients in general. Before surgery, our patients are tested to make sure they don’t have any common bleeding disorders by their own physicians, and by lab tests. The use of tumescent solution is performed during a facelift to minimize bleeding. Furthermore, the use of drains helps manage any post-operative bleeding as well. In our practice the rate of significant bleeding is about 1-2%. The treatment of a hematoma or a blood clot under the facial skin is to open the incision and remove the blood clot. Typically, this is a straightforward procedure.
Infection
The most important step in avoiding infections, in our opinion, is to perform the surgery at a first-rate surgical facility with board certified anesthesiologists and nurses. Patients are given the appropriate intravenous antibiotics coverage throughout the surgery. During the surgery, the skin surface of the patient is cleaned properly. After the procedure, our patients are prescribed antibiotics to minimize infection. As a result of these extra precautions, our rate of infection after a facelift is extremely rare.
Open Wounds
In a facelift, there is manipulation of a relatively large amount of skin and the closure of skin under some mild tension. Because the incisions are under tension, there can be either loss of some skin or a small opening of the wound around the hairline or near the ears. To minimize this potential complication, we urge our patients to stop smoking two weeks before and two weeks after surgery, to improve the result of their facelift. Open wounds, if they happen, are treated with dressing changes and cleaning of the wound in the office as needed. This can occur in about 1% of patients. Usually, the wounds heal very well, and nothing further needs to be done with nicely hidden scars. Very rarely, we will need to do a scar revision to improve the appearance of that scar.
Nerve Injury
The rate of significant facial injury is about 1-2%. In our facelift technique, we do the dissection away from the major nerves to avoid injury. The result is a minimal rate of nerve injury. Sometimes, temporary loss of sensation or function from a “stunned” nerve or a bruised nerve may occur in the time period after surgery. This may result temporarily in an uneven smile, but full nerve function usually returns within days to weeks.
Smoking
Smoking is an absolute contraindication in facelift. The carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarette smoke causes severe reduction in blood supply to the skin during healing. This results in delayed wound healing, wound separation, death of the skin, and a higher risk of infection. Cotinine testing is performed in patients with a smoking history to ensure that they are safe when having this procedure.
Recovery
Following your facelift, you will receive a detailed recovery plan. We encourage patients to eat a high-protein diet to aid healing and refrain from smoking for a minimum of two weeks after surgery.
You will also be seen for regular post-operative visits, starting the day after surgery, and we are available 24/7 for any questions.
Dr. Bitar is committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for every patient and will follow your progress closely. We see all our patients the day after surgery, a week later, a month later, six months later, and a year later to make sure that they heal well and get excellent results.
Maximizing Positive Outcomes
At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we take pride in providing our patients with the best surgical experience possible, emphasizing patient safety while trying to optimize surgical results. This is a process that includes comprehensive pre-operative preparation and patient education, the development of a personalized operative plan, and a thoughtful post operative care regimen emphasizing patient comfort and promoting recovery.
There are a number of strategies which the Institute has adapted to further ensure patient safety. We are selective and only offer surgery to patients whose general health and lifestyle choices permit healing and facilitate recovery. To minimize risk, we require a preoperative assessment that includes a thoughtful history and physical exam, as well as targeted laboratory tests.
We operate at accredited hospitals and surgicenters that have demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of care, employing board certified anesthesiologists and nurses. We adhere to well established surgical principles designed to ensure patient safety and have developed policies and protocols to minimize the risk of infection. Dr. Bitar is committed to continuing education, honing his skills and introducing new techniques always with the aim of improving safety and surgical results.
We emphasize patient safety in our peri-operative care plan, advocating early mobilization, optimizing nutrition, and providing detailed care instructions. After surgery, patients are seen in our office frequently and early, starting the day after their procedure, and a staff member is available around the clock for any questions or concerns. Our entire team is committed to our patients’ well being and every measure is designed to minimize potential complications, promote comfortable and rapid recovery, and optimize surgical results.
Why Choose Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute?
Our commitment to excellence and exceptional patient care is in every step of your doctor-patient experience. Dr. George Bitar is a distinguished board certified plastic surgeon who stays on the cutting edge of advancements in cosmetic surgery and technology to offer the best possible results.
Dr. Bitar’s expertise in deep plane facelifts and other advanced facial procedures ensures patients receive the most natural, long-lasting results possible. Our comprehensive care, personalized treatment plans, and dedication to patient safety make us a top choice for facial rejuvenation. Whether you’re considering a facelift, injectables, or other treatments, we’re here to help you achieve your aesthetic goals with the highest level of care.
For more information, call our office at 703-206-0506.
Contact Our Office For A Consultation
If you would like further information regarding this procedure, please feel free to contact our office to schedule an appointment by calling (703) 206-0506 or filling out an online request form.
Book an Appointment Online“Natural beauty but doing a little somethin’ somethin’ to make beautiful features pop is what the Model Lift™ accomplishes.”
Dr. George Bitar
