Deep Plane FaceliftThe Secret to a Rejuvenated Face That Looks Decades Younger

Begin Your Journey

Why Deep Plane Facelift? 

Deep plane facelift goes beyond the epidermal layer to soften facial folds – allowing for a smoother, more lifted jawline and an overall softer appearance to the midface.

What you won’t be getting is that tight, windswept look that says: I just got a facelift.   

  • If you want to turn back the clock on sagging jowls, a turkey neck, and smile lines that go hand in hand with the natural aging process… 
  • If you want a renewed sense of confidence and a youthful glow that your friends will envy
  • If you want to look like you just got back from a long vacation…
  • If you want natural results that last longer (10-15 years) than a traditional SMAS facelift (7-10 years)…

Look no further than Dr. Williams.

Deep plane facelift is the most advanced technique used in the industry today, and only 5% of surgeons in the US specialize in this method, including Dr. Williams.  

Dr. Edwin Williams performing facial plastic surgery at the Plastic Surgery Center at Williams.

The deep plane facelift results in our patients looking 10-15 years younger, on average. Because deep facial tissues are pulled up during a deep plane facelift, patients have greater definition to the cheekbones, jawline, and neck. The deep plane facelift also restores volume to the mid-face and under-eye areas to give patients fuller cheeks and a more youthful appearance. 

You can rest assured knowing you’re working with one of the very best facial plastic surgeons in the industry. Dr. William’s technique has been perfected over 30+ years, and his results and happy patients show this.

Reviews

Read Our Patient Testimonials

C.K.
My experience with Dr. Williams and his entire staff were exceptional! Incredibly responsive to my questions and concerns. So professional, kind, and helpful. I’m very pleased with the results and highly recommend Dr. Williams and his team.
– C.K.
Why wait?

“It’s amazing to see how everything has changed since the surgery day. Overall I feel more confident. I questioned it for a long time, you know, 46, is that too young? Should I wait? But then I [thought], why wait?”

M.M.
Dr. Williams is the best! He did such an amazing job, I literary look 15 years younger. I feel so much better and so glad I made the decision to go forward with the facial and eye surgery. Thank you, Dr., Williams and staff!
– MM
M.B.
I came across Dr. Williams name and knew he was well known for his deep plane facelift technique. For years, I have wanted to do this procedure. Once I watched the non-graphic deep plane facelift video on YouTube, I knew that would bring me to the results I wanted. I couldn’t be happier with my experience.
– M.B.
After 8 consultations, Dr. Williams was the one for me

“I had 8 or 9 individual consults with different plastic surgeons from New York City to Boston. My last consult was with Dr. Williams…once I came here and met him and his staff, I left confident in my decision to have him do the surgery.

I had a great post-operative recovery. I’ve been really happy with the results and I’m so happy I had the procedure.”

Facelift patient 9 months after surgery

“What I liked about Dr. Williams is he’s a specialist. He practices on faces – that’s his speciality. That gave me great confidence and I’m very satisfied with everything. People around here are great and I think I made a really good choice.”

Don’t wait

“Don’t delay – do it!”

C.S.

Dr. Williams is a true artist. Totally worth the trip from NYC. When I turned 60, I felt like everything was starting to sag, particularly my neck and jawline. I work out and keep my body fit, plus I’m young in spirit; my face simply didn’t match who I was anymore. I knew of The Williams Center from friends in my hometown of Albany, NY who’d used this practice and were very happy with their results. So, I decided to do a consultation with Dr. Williams. After speaking with him and looking at his before and after pics, despite being nervous about doing elective surgery I decided to entrust him with my face. I had a deep plane face and neck lift + upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyes) in September 2022 and I’m very happy. On average my friends think I look anywhere between 10 and 20 years younger. It feels great to look in the mirror and see the woman I knew I still was staring back at me.
– C.S.

Inspiring testimonial from deep plane facelift patient

“The best part is looking in the mirror every day and seeing my new face.”

Natural facelift results

“I decided to have a facelift in order to reinvent myself… I wanted to do something for me. I’ve always thought I was an attractive person, but now I feel it on the outside.”

No Filter Needed

“I chose to have my deep plane facelift surgery with Dr. Williams and I recommend him 100%. I was getting fillers and Botox, but they weren’t giving me the results I was looking for, especially in the neck area. I noticed my face was starting to droop. I would take pictures and it would stand out even more. When I take a picture now, no filter needed.”

Jamie S.
It has been one year since my surgery, and I cannot express the gratitude I have for Dr. Williams. My surgery and results are absolutely beyond amazing. If you are on the fence or thinking about having this procedure just do it as you will not be sorry.
– Deep plane facelift patient
Rediscovering confidence and radiance after my facelift

“I did a lot of research and Dr. Williams kept coming up. Before the surgery, every time I passed by a mirror all I could see was this version of myself I didn’t feel comfortable with… the process was a lot less painful than I thought it was going to be. Dr. Williams and his team have been amazing. Any time I had any questions or concerns I could pick up the phone and call. The improvements I noticed pretty quickly, once the swelling had gone down. It’s worth it in every aspect – it’s worth it, just do it! I would definitely recommend Dr. Williams and his staff to anyone out there.”

Specialists

Dr. Williams Has Pioneered The Deep Plane Facelift

The Williams Center Face specialist

Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
  • 30+
    Years Of Experience
  • 10,000+
    Facial Plastic Surgeries Performed
  • <5%
    of plastic surgeons can perform this surgery

Meet Dr. Williams

Dr. Edwin Williams has pioneered the deep plane facelift, which he has perfected over the years and has shared with other surgeons in the United States and internationally. 

He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. 

Dr. Williams has earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery for over 10+ years.

As a leader in the field of facial plastic surgery, Dr. Williams has been featured in dozens of publications and national syndicates, including Vanity Fair, Glamour, New York Times, Prevention, Allure, New Beauty, Red Book, Good Housekeeping, The Wall Street Journal, Shape, Washington Post, USA Today, Time Magazine, Huffington Post, Cosmetic Surgery Times, Cosmopolitan, Daily News and Town & Country Magazine.

Dr. Williams has written a book called The Extended Deep Plane Facelift that goes into detail about the procedure and his approach to surgery

He has been recognized in industry publications such as The Good Life, Health, Medical Aesthetics, Plastic Surgery Practice, and has appeared on Dr. Oz, Fox News, Geraldo Rivera, Maury Povich, TLC, and Lifetime. 

Patients choose Dr. Williams because he has dedicated his 30-year career to perfecting this technique and the patient experience.

His amazing results and reviews show this.

5 Steps to Facial Rejuvenation

1. Contact Us

Submit a form, or you can contact us at your convenience. Your designated Patient Concierge will work with you 1-on-1 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have before booking a consultation.

2. Schedule a Consultation

You will work with your Patient Concierge to find the best time for a consultation with Dr. Williams. During your consultation, Dr. Williams will evaluate your aesthetic goals, suitability for a procedure and use imaging to show how you will look after the procedure. We also encourage patients the opportunity for further consultations at no extra charge if they have any lingering questions.

3. Surgery Day

You will be having your surgery at our fully-accredited, state-of-the-art onsite Surgical Suite ensuring you have a comfortable and discreet experience. Dr. Williams will meet you before the procedure to address any last-minute questions you may have. 

4. Recovery

Our team will reach out to make sure you have everything you need for a smooth patient recovery experience. You have the option of having a nurse care for you afterwards. With Dr. William’s technique, you won’t need drains or narcotics in your recovery. 

5. Enjoy your results

Most patients are back in the “real world” by day five. 

Schedule a Consultation

At The Williams Center, we know that you want to look natural. 90% of patients tell us that they receive compliments on their appearance from friends and family after undergoing a deep plane facelift. 

Your friends and family will know that you look great, but they’re not exactly sure why.

With the deep plane facelift, you’re going to still look like yourself – just 10-15 years younger. 

Deep Plane Facelift vs. Traditional SMAS Facelift  

Originally, facelifts were performed by just lifting up the skin and pulling it tight; this resulted in an unnatural and pulled face. The technique then evolved to what many people around the country currently use: the imbrication technique. 

With deep plane facelift surgery, patients achieve more natural results. The deep plane facelift can also restore volume to the mid-face and under-eye areas to give patients fuller cheeks and a more youthful appearance. 

The imbrication technique is when the skin is lifted, and the SMAS layer (or superficial musculoaponeurotic system) is cut and pulled tight. The problem with the imbrication technique is that there are ligaments (or areas of attachment) that cannot be smoothed out by just pulling that tissue. 

A true deep plane facelift, then, is taking this one step further. We not only make an incision in that deeper SMAS layer, but we also dissect underneath that layer to free up those ligaments. 

This dissection improves the neck and results in a nice, crisp jawline.    

Because deep tissues are pulled up during a deep plane facelift, there will be greater definition to the cheekbones, jawline, and neck. And, results from a deep plane facelift last longer than many of the other traditional facelift techniques.

Am I a candidate for a facelift?

You may be wondering if you are a good candidate for deep plane facelift surgery, and which facelift is right for you.

Take the facelift quiz here to find out if you’re a candidate.

During the initial consultation, you can discuss your individual situation with your cosmetic surgeon, as all patients are unique and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

However, below are the characteristics of a good candidate for procedures of this kind:

  • Individuals who are 45 to 80 years of age, who want to reduce the signs of facial aging
  • Patients with hollowness beneath the eyes or heaviness below the cheeks
  • Those with concerns of saggy neck skin
  • Those who want improvement in their jaw line
Checklist over mobile device icon

How is a Deep Plane Facelift Performed?

Dr. Edwin Williams performs deep plane facelift surgery at The New England Laser and Cosmetic Center, a free-standing ambulatory surgery center. 

During deep plane facelift surgery, a combination of IV sedation and general anesthesia are typically used. The deep plane facelift is different from a traditional facelift in several ways. Traditional facelift procedures do not address the middle area of the face. This procedure accomplishes all that the traditional facelift does and more. Operating in the deeper plane benefits the patient less swelling and more of a natural, long lasting result.

The incision lines start in the temple/hairline, continuing down around the ear, right up behind the ear and into the hairline. Often, liposuction and contouring of the neck along with lipo transfers may be performed during the procedure based on each patient’s customized surgical plan.

Photo showing the incision lines of a deep plane facelift surgery.

After the appropriate incisions are created by the surgeon, the skin is separated from the underlying muscle and fat. Fat is suctioned from around the chin and neck or trimmed if there is not an excessive amount in this area. After this is completed, the muscles are tightened, the excess skin is removed, and the incision is securely closed. 

Watch Dr. Williams demonstrate how a deep plane facelift is performed in a non-graphic way.

What to Expect After Deep Plane Facelift Surgery

Recovering after a deep plane facelift surgery can take seven to 14 days, depending on the procedure. Patients will have bruising and swelling during this time. However, results of the deep plane facelift surgery can be felt, and seen immediately following the surgery. Patients typically recover very well with Dr. Williams’ modern and innovative approach.

Prior to your deep plane facelift surgery, Dr. Williams will walk you through what to expect in recovery and give you detailed post-operative care instructions. Because a deep plane facelift generates longer-lasting results than a less-invasive procedure like Botox, recovery will take longer. 

Most patients do not complain of discomfort, but often describe it as being sore or feeling tight. 

Ultimately, a deep plane facelift will restore a higher level of confidence and greater satisfaction with their appearance.

Schedule a Consultation

How a Deep Plane Facelift Consultation Works

During your consultation at The Williams Center, Dr. Williams uses computerized photo imaging for you to see the potential results of facial plastic surgery. Dr. Williams will discuss the benefits and risks of deep plane facelift surgery and make sure they align with your expectations.

Dr. Williams will also discuss additional facial procedures that can be performed at the same time as the deep plane facelift, like blepharoplasty or chin augmentation, to help patients obtain their goals.

Your medical history will be reviewed during the consultation along with the potential surgical plan before surgery is scheduled. Laboratory tests may be required. Your health and well-being are always Dr. Williams’ priority, and the consultation process is designed to help you get all of your questions answered before deciding to move forward with surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a deep plane facelift?

    A deep plane facelift is a facial surgery where the SMAS, a layer of connective tissue underneath the facial skin, is lifted to tighten the cheekbones, jawline, and neck.

    A deep plane facelift achieves tighter skin, defines the facial features, and reduces elasticity in the neck. 

  • How much does deep plane facelift surgery cost?

    When taking into account the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fee, and operating room and facility fee, the cost of a deep plane facelift ranges from $18,000 to $40,000 for their deep plane facelift surgery at the Plastic Surgery at Williams.

    This cost will depend on if any additional facial procedures are done during the surgery. 

  • How long does a deep plane facelift last?

    The results of a deep plane facelift should last anywhere between 12 to 15 years. 

    Individual factors such as genetics, sun damage, and skin quality, all play a role in aging and can affect the longevity of surgery. At The Williams Center, we offer a complimentary skincare analysis with our clinical team at The Rejuva Center to ensure longevity after your facelift procedure.

  • Are there risks involved with the procedure?

    As with all cosmetic procedures, complications following a facial rejuvenation surgery are possible and doctors will make patients aware of all potential health risks prior to making a final decision. Some of these include but are not limited to: poor healing, infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.

    The best way to avoid post-surgery complications is to precisely follow surgical instructions and report any abnormal symptoms or side effects as soon as they occur. Swelling, bruising, neck tightness, numbness and discomfort are the most common side effects.

  • How soon can I return to work after the deep plane facelift?

    Most patients can return to work in ten to 14 days, although swelling and bruising may still be visible. Patients should no longer be in any pain or discomfort by that time and, if their job does not require strenuous activity, there is no reason patients would be unable to return to work.

    However, patients should speak to their surgeon if their job requires them to work outdoors, as direct sunlight should be avoided for approximately a month.

  • Is the deep plane facelift painful?

    Patients may experience a tight feeling under the chin with some soreness along the sides of the neck or jaw. A bit of numbness may occur on the skin, which is a normal response to the procedure. Patients say the face feels tight after facelift surgery.

    However, Dr. Williams typically does not prescribe pain medication; each patient is different, depending on your pain tolerance, recently we have offered the option for Valium to help with discomfort and relaxation post-surgery for three nights.

    For the first several days, the head should be elevated as often as possible and cold compresses should be applied. Following the surgery, the face will appear slightly bruised, puffy and pale. Bruising may take up to two weeks to disappear.

  • Where is the deep plane facelift incision?

    The incision begins in the temple around the hairline, proceeding down along the hard part of the ear and returning upward in the ear’s back area continuing into the hairline.

    Initially, the incision will be more noticeable. The raised, red area of the incision that appears during the first few weeks fades over time. The sutures are removed generally six to 8 days after surgery. Makeup can usually be applied to the incision line approximately 4 days after the sutures are removed.

    Patients are advised to grow their hair a little longer around their ears if they have short hair in order to cover the incision line during the healing period.

  • What can I expect from the deep plane facelift post surgery?

    The head dressing remains for three days after surgery. After that time, hair may be washed and brushed.

    Bruising and swelling differs from patient to patient, but most patients can become mobile outside their home in about 10 to 14 days. Hair coloring should be applied immediately before the procedure because patients are advised to wait to color their hair until six weeks after surgery.

  • How long does the deep plane facelift procedure take?

    The deep plane facelift procedure typically takes three to three-and-a-half hours, though that may vary.

Schedule Your Consultation

Call us today at (518) 786-7000

If you have been considering any type of facial rejuvenating procedure, board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Edwin Williams can explain the advantages and disadvantages of cosmetic surgery and help you determine whether or not it is something you wish to pursue.

During the consultation you will be able to discuss your desired results, what the surgery will be like, the cost of facelift surgery, and get all of your questions answered.