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A deep plane facelift in Washington DC, also termed “composite facelift”, is the most effective facelift technique to take up to 25 years off one’s face but still preserve one’s identity. The “deep plane” refers to elevating the facial muscle layer, termed “SMAS,” and limiting the dissection of facial skin. This is the key to natural results, imperceptible scars, and longevity of youthful appearance. You’ll see the power of this approach from Dr. Rad’s before/after results. The technique involves 3 main steps:
1. Limit the skin undermining – this minimizes post-operative swelling, improves blood flow through the skin which optimizes scar healing, reduces complications of poor wound healing, and skin is naturally redraped without tension. Some surgeons release the skin extensively which eliminates all of these benefits.
2. Release the strong ligaments that connect the skin to bone (termed “osteocutaneous ligaments”) – this is crucial to mobilize the soft tissues and lift them upwards to reverse sagging.
3. Elevate, lift, and resuspend the muscle “SMAS” and platysma layer – this is crucial to achieve the most natural results and avoid the windswept appearance. Tension on scars is minimized – the key to imperceptible scars.
If you look in the mirror and see loose, hanging facial tissues, you may be a good surgical candidate for the deep plane facelift. Or perhaps you’ve reached the limit of non-surgical options and want a permanent reset? The deep plane technique can be used for healthy patients of all ages, both men and women. Its power is seen in patients with significant facial changes: moderately or severely sagging jowls, loose neck tissues, deflating apples of the cheeks, and an aged or fatigued appearance. However, no matter the degree of facial aging, Dr. Rad can fine-tune the approach to every patient’s unique anatomy and achieve subtle or more dramatic results.
1. Dr. Rad’s top priorities are your safety and comfort and he guides each patient step by step through the following process.
2. The deep plane facelift in Washington DC must be done with light sedation/general anesthesia. Therefore the initial safety steps focus on reviewing your medical history to ensure no major health concerns such as heart, lung, or kidney disease. You will need a pre-operative medical clearance by your primary physician and/or cardiologist or other specialists if indicated.
Once you are deemed a good candidate, surgery can be planned, and Dr. Rad meets with you a second time to review the details of the surgery, provide prescriptions, review medical clearances, and answer your questions. Detailed pre- and post-operative instructions are provided and you are thoroughly prepped for surgery.
3. For optimal patient safety, Dr. Rad operates in a hospital-based OR with a Board certified anesthesiologist. Once anesthesia is initiated, you’ll feel or remember nothing of the procedure. Dr. Rad further ensures your comfort with an injected anesthetic. This also minimizes bleeding and hematoma risk.
4. Dr. Rad makes exact incisions along natural contours in front and behind the ears, so they are hidden from view. Through these incisions, Dr. Rad elevates the skin within the subcutaneous fat plane in order to expose the muscle layer, the SMAS, and the platysma. Often Dr. Rad uses a short under-chin incision to tighten neck muscles and reduce fatty deposits which creates beautiful neck contours.
5. Dr. Rad releases osteocutaneous ligaments to mobilize tissues and elevates the SMAS layer. He then tightens and resuspends the deeper muscles in a lifted position.
6. After underlying facial tissues are restored to a lifted position, excess skin is removed and the incisions are closed in a tension-free manner.
7. A light dressing is applied after which you can return home, driven by a friend or family member. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in almost all cases.
Recovery is not painful after a deep plane facelift and mild/moderate tightness is normal. Swelling peaks in 2-3 days then rapidly decrease. Patients can resume most normal activities, except heavy lifting, almost immediately. Most patients taper off stronger pain medicine in a few days. You will see Dr. Rad a day or two, then again one week after surgery. During the first through second weeks swelling and bruising rapidly resolve and patients look very good at the 2-3 week mark. Returning to work in 1-3 weeks is common.
Your vision for your results will emerge through detailed consultation with Dr. Rad, meticulous examination of your anatomy, and careful pre-surgical planning. While Dr. Rad’s surgical approach is unique for each patient, the goal of naturalness remains constant.
Actual Washington DC Face Life Patient of Dr. Rad’s
See More Top Facelift Results
Sherber+Rad cannot guarantee specific results.
Individual results may vary.
No: the deep plane facelift is unparalleled in the results that can be achieved in skilled hands.
Moderate bruising and swelling will distort your facial features for the first week after a deep plane facelift. However, visible signs of surgery dissipate over 2 weeks, and with concealer, patients can feel confident to return to work within 2-3 weeks.
Our plastic surgery office in Washington DC is centered on your comfort and privacy. You’ll be received by our exquisitely attentive staff, and escorted to your own private cabana wherein you’ll feel relaxed and comfortable while consulting discreetly with Dr. Rad. First Dr. Rad will determine if you are a good candidate for surgery and during your consultation you should decide if Dr. Rad is the right surgeon for you. Credentials are crucial and, in addition to being Board certified in plastic surgery, Dr. Rad is Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, and he enjoys an impeccable reputation as a top flight aesthetic surgeon. His facial plastic surgery expertise is sought out as one of the best surgeons in Washington DC, northern Virginia and the US. Your safety is Dr. Rad's primary concern and he will review your medical history. You should inform Dr. Rad of any medical problems or medications that may affect your healing. If you are medically appropriate to undergo surgery then Dr. Rad's focus will be to understand what specific aesthetic concerns you have. Washington DC patients expect natural results with minimal downtime. Dr. Rad will spend time carefully listening to your concerns, asking clarifying questions and then masterfully guiding you, step by step, to understand how your unique anatomy can be improved to convey a rested appearance. Dr. Rad’s goal is to determine the most comprehensive approach for long lasting, natural results while minimizing downtime. Dr. Rad first needs to understand your specific concerns and you should prepare your thoughts prior to your consultation. Think of words that convey how you feel about your appearance. For example, Washington DC patients often say they look fatigued, tired or lackluster because of undereye bags or dark undereye circles, or they look sad, upset or disinterested such as from heavy eyebrows, excess skin above the eyes or downturned corners of the mouth. Patients often relate concerns of looking older than how they feel and this can be caused by jowls, nasolabial folds, loose neck skin, lines and wrinkles. Try to put into words how your appearance bothers you, and the priority you give to each area. Dr. Rad will then present to you his expert opinion about which procedures would be best to restore your anatomy to create a rested and refreshed appearance. And since surgery is intricate Dr. Rad will guide you through a stepwise approach of aesthetic analysis and he’ll deliver his recommendations in a clear and honest manner. Dr. Rad will present all options available in modern day surgery, both non-surgical and surgical. Dr. Rad and Board certified dermatologist Dr. Sherber often collaborate to optimize patients’ results and to minimize invasiveness. As such Dr. Rad’s modern approach to surgery harnesses the power of both dermatology and plastic surgery as both specialities address different aesthetic challenges. For example, plastic surgery is effective to lift, tighten and volumize loose, atrophied tissues, whereas dermatologic treatments such as laser, radiofrequency tightening and skincare are best to improve skin texture, pigmentation and tone. Dr. Rad can address any concerns regarding skin quality and how to obtain and maintain optimal results. Dr. Rad will review with you photos of his patients’ results (many of which you’ll not find online due to privacy concerns) to highlight his aesthetic approaches and skill. He will take your photographs, which remain confidential, to assist with the planning of your surgery. For your safety Dr. Rad performs surgery in a hospital-based operating room, considered to be the safest environment, rather than in the office. Anesthesia is delivered by a board certified anesthesiologist (MD) and you’ll be under light anesthesia which is important for your safety and comfort. You will receive a customized quote for the procedures in which you’re interested. Once approved we may then move forward with pre-operative preparations and you will meet with Dr. Rad again at your final in person consultation prior to surgery. Dr. Rad’s reputation as one of the most technically gifted surgeons attracts patients nationally and from around the world. We cater to patients from across the globe by arranging virtual consultations, luxury accommodations at The Jefferson hotel, Washington DC’s most luxurious 5 star boutique hotel, as well as private nursing care. Your privacy, comfort and safely achieving exceptional results are our top priorities.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY CONSULTATION WITH DR. RAD?
“We consulted with three plastic surgeons before choosing Dr. Rad for my 17-year-old son’s rhinoplasty and chin implant in March 2017. From the first meeting, we felt confident that Dr. Rad is a skilled, experienced, and talented surgeon who pays attention to every detail. He is also a super guy – warm, caring, attentive, and welcoming. Everything went smoothly and we are extremely happy with the results. We are very pleased with the whole experience and recommend him without hesitation.“
A.B. in Washington, DC | October 3, 2018
Dr. Rad’s credentials speak for themselves: Princeton (B.S.E, Magna Cum Laude), Duke School of Medicine (M.D.) and University of London (Ph.D.) educated and Johns Hopkins Plastic Surgery trained, he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, and long-standing member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Rad is considered an expert in facial plastic surgery and microsurgery. He is ranked the #1 plastic surgeon in Washington DC based on aggregate ratings from all independent ranking websites: “top-rated local“, “three best rated” top plastic surgeon, and “top plastic surgeon reviews“. SHERBER+RAD has never engaged in paid advertising, and all rankings and reviews are from vetted and respected sources.
In Dr. Rad’s DC practice, the cost for facial aesthetic lifts starts at $18,000+ for targeted in office “mini lift”, $29,000+ for more advanced face and neck lifts, (“deep plane” or ponytail methods), $49,000+ for surgeries combining other procedures (blepharoplasty, brow lift, fat grafting, etc.), $75,000+ for complex anatomy, corrective work and up to $150,000 for extensive facial surgery requiring multiple operations (such as adding rhinoplasty, facial bone augmentation or shaping, custom facial implants, etc.). Note that pricing is customized for each patient and these guidelines do not necessarily apply uniformly. Also keep in mind these are approximate ranges and total cost depends on multiple factors: your unique anatomy, goals, complexity of the procedures, recommended techniques, whether corrective work is needed, in-office or hospital-based operating facility, and combining multiple procedures (increasing concessions apply for multiple procedures).
Although you may receive varying cost estimates from other practices, keep in mind that your surgeon’s education and training, plastic surgery board certification, his/her experience (at least 8 years of experience after residency is recommended), and the “X” factor of aesthetic artistry and surgical skill (i.e., talent) of your surgeon are important factors in pricing. Dr. Rad’s goal for every patient is to achieve nuanced and natural results with minimal recovery, and we have mechanisms in place to bring your goals in financial reach.
Dr. Ariel Rad strives to deliver the best facelift Washington, DC has to offer. To find out more about facial cosmetic surgery and our financing options, schedule your consultation by contacting our office today.
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Sherber+Rad1101 15th St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20005
