Deep Plane Facelift in Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Cory Torgerson
Aging in the face is rarely about one small problem – it is often a mix of sagging cheeks, a softer jawline, and bands around the neck. For patients who want a structural, long-lasting change rather than a temporary “tightening” or filler quick fix, the deep plane facelift has become the preferred facelift surgery in Toronto.
At Dr. Cory Torgerson’s facial cosmetic surgery clinic in Toronto, the deep plane facelift is used to restore mid-face support, sharpen the jawline, and refine the neck in one carefully planned procedure.
What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?
A deep plane facelift is a facelift technique that repositions the skin along with deeper layers underneath. Instead of simply tightening the surface, the surgeon works in the “deep plane” under the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), the fibrous layer that connects the facial muscles, fat pads, and skin.
Many Toronto patients also hear terms like “vertical restore facelift” or “vertical deep plane facelift.” These are variations of the same concept: lifting the face and neck in a mostly vertical, anti-gravity direction and working in the deep plane instead of tugging the surface sideways.
You may have seen the photos of Kris Jenner’s facelift 2025 – these stunning results were achieved as a result of a deep plane facelift, combined with other carefully-selected procedures.
What Is the SMAS and Why Is It Important?
The SMAS is the key structural layer in facelift surgery. It lies between the superficial fat and skin above and the facial muscles and nerves below. When you are younger, the SMAS provides firm support to the cheek fat pads, jawline, and lower face – but this support tends to weaken with age, leading to deeper nasolabial folds and jowls along the jawline.
Traditional facelifts often tried to fix these changes by tightening the skin or placing a few stitches in the SMAS without fully releasing it. That can create some improvement, but the deeper support system is still partially tethered in its aged position.
A deep plane facelift goes further. The surgeon works under the SMAS, releases the ligaments that hold the tissues down, then moves that entire thicker layer to where it used to sit years earlier. This is one of the main reasons deep plane facelifts are known for softer, more natural results and finer scars.
Deep Plane Facelift vs. Traditional Facelift Surgery in Toronto
Not all facelifts are the same. If you are comparing your options for facelift surgery in Toronto, it is helpful to understand the main differences between a traditional SMAS facelift and a deep plane facelift or neck lift.
Traditional SMAS Facelift
A conventional SMAS facelift (often just called a “facelift”) usually involves:
- Lifting the skin off the SMAS
- Placing sutures to tighten the SMAS
- Removing excess skin and closing the incision
The SMAS is tightened but not extensively lifted as a single unit. The deeper facial ligaments may remain partially attached, which limits how much true vertical repositioning is possible. Good results are still possible, but the effect is usually more modest and may not last as long, especially in heavier or more advanced aging.
Deep Plane Facelift
With a deep plane facelift:
- The dissection is carried out beneath the SMAS, not on top of it
- The retaining ligaments that anchor the face are fully or partially released
- The SMAS and cheek fat pads are elevated in a vertical vector
- The neck can be addressed more comprehensively in the same plane
Key differences from a patient’s perspective include more structural improvement in the mid-face, jawline, and neck, less noticeable scars thanks to reduced tension at incision sites, and longer-lasting results due to a repositioned deeper support layer.
Deep Plane Neck Lift
Many deep plane facelifts performed at Dr Torgerson’s clinic include a deep plane neck lift at the same time. In addition to tightening the platysma and removing excess fat under the chin, the surgeon can:
- Improve the angle between the chin and neck
- Reduce loose, hanging skin under the jawline
- Address banding and bulky central neck tissue
This combined approach provides a more continuous, natural look from cheek to jawline to neck, rather than a lifted face sitting over an untreated neck.
Candidates for Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift is not “too much” for everyone, nor is it the right choice for every patient. It is meant for people whose aging is more structural than superficial.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Deep Plane Facelift
You may be a good candidate if you have:
- Sagging cheeks and a tired mid-face, even when you are well-rested
- Jowls and loss of jawline definition that fillers no longer hide
- Lax skin and banding in the neck
- Deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Reasonably good skin quality, but significant age-related structural changes in the face
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Deep Plane Facelift
You are likely not a good candidate if:
- You are a smoker and unwilling to quit before and after surgery (smoking seriously compromises blood supply and healing)
- You have uncontrolled medical conditions that make a long surgery unsafe
- You expect to look like a completely different person or a specific celebrity
- Your main concerns are fine lines, pigment changes, or texture only (these are better treated with resurfacing, skincare, or injectables)
Your Initial Consultation
A one-on-one consultation with Dr. Torgerson is where these details are sorted out. He will review your medical history, examine your bone structure and tissue quality, and give you an honest opinion on whether deep plane facelift surgery, a different type of facelift, or non-surgical options make more sense.
Benefits of a Deep Plane Facelift
Patients who choose a deep plane facelift in Toronto usually benefit from:
- Natural-looking rejuvenation. The deeper lift avoids the over-tightened skin look. Features stay recognisably “you,” just more rested and lifted.
- Improved jawbone neck definition. A deep plane facelift combined with a deep plane neck lift can create a more youthful contour in the lower face.
- More impact on the mid-face and folds. Unlike many standard facelifts, a deep plane approach can make a real difference in sagging cheeks and deep folds around the mouth.
- Longer-lasting change. While nothing can stop the aging process, moving the support layer tends to hold up better over time than relying only on skin tightening. Many people enjoy results for 10 to 15 years, depending on genetics and lifestyle.
- Better value than ongoing non-surgical treatments. Patients who have spent years on frequent filler, threads, and energy-based devices often reach a point where the costs add up without solving the structural problem. A well-done deep plane facelift is more upfront but can reduce the need for ongoing “chasing” with temporary treatments.
The Deep Plane Facelift Procedure: What to Expect
Deep plane facelift surgery at Dr. Torgerson’s practice in Toronto is performed in a controlled surgical environment under general anaesthesia or IV sedation, depending on the case and your health.
In broad strokes, the procedure involves:
- Anaesthesia and monitoring. You are not awake for a deep plane facelift – you are fully asleep and comfortable.
- Incisions. Incisions are placed around the ear, often starting in the hairline above the ear, following the natural curves around the front of the ear, and continuing into the crease behind the ear and sometimes slightly into the lower hairline. The goal is to keep them hidden in natural shadows and hair.
- Deep plane dissection. The skin and SMAS are elevated together as a thicker flap. Dr. Torgerson then carefully works beneath the SMAS, releasing key ligaments and mobilizing the deeper tissues in the cheek and along the jawline.
- Vertical repositioning. The SMAS and attached fat pads are lifted up and slightly back in an anti-gravity direction, and the new position is secured with sutures. When a deep plane neck lift is included, the neck muscle (platysma) is also tightened and re-suspended to restore a cleaner neck contour.
- Skin redraping and trimming. The skin is gently laid back over the deeper layer without excessive tension. Extra skin is removed, and the incisions are closed with fine sutures or staples.
- Dressings and early recovery. A light dressing or supportive bandage is applied. Some patients stay overnight for observation, while others return home the same day with a support person, based on their health and surgical plan.
Total operative time varies, but a deep plane facelift with neck lift often takes several hours. Your exact plan is discussed during your consultation with Dr. Torgerson, so you know exactly what to expect.
Deep Plane Facelift Recovery
Deep Plane Facelift Recovery Timeline
- Days 1 to 3. Swelling and bruising gradually increase, peaking in the first few days. You may have a feeling of fullness in the cheeks and neck. Pain is usually manageable with prescribed medication and over-the-counter pain relief.
- Days 4 to 7. Bruising may appear on your neck or even your chest. Stitches around the ears may come out around the one-week mark. Many people feel more like themselves at this point, but are not ready to get back to work quite yet.
- Weeks 2 to 3. Swelling and discolouration begin to settle, and make-up can cover most bruising at this point. Some patients feel comfortable returning to desk work around the two-week point, depending on how visible swelling is and how public their job is.
- Weeks 4 to 6. Most people look “socially acceptable” and no longer obviously post-surgical. Numbness, tightness, or strange sensations along the ears and cheeks can persist for several weeks to months as nerves recover.
- Months 3 to 6. By this time, the tissues soften and settle, and scars continue to fade. This is when you typically see the more refined, final deep plane facelift results.
Practical Recovery Tips after Your Facelift Surgery
You can make the process smoother by:
- Following your surgeon’s instructions carefully
- Sleeping with your head elevated for at least one to two weeks
- Using cold compresses (with a cloth barrier) in the first 48 hours
- Avoiding heavy lifting, bending, or vigorous exercise until cleared
- Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding smoking and alcohol
- Attending all follow-up appointments
Patience is important. It is better to protect the result early than rush back into intense activity and risk a complication.
The First Step Of Your Journey Begins With A Conversation
Risks and Complications of Deep Plane Facelift Surgery
Any surgery comes with certain risks, and a deep plane facelift is no exception. It is more complex than smaller procedures and should only be done by a surgeon with focused experience in facial surgery.
Potential risks include:
- Haematoma (collection of blood under the skin)
- Infection
- Delayed wound healing or skin loss in areas with compromised blood supply (more common in smokers)
- Visible or widened scars
- Temporary or, rarely, permanent nerve weakness or numbness
- Asymmetry or contour irregularities
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result that may require revision surgery
Choosing a surgeon who performs this operation regularly and is comfortable in the deep plane is one of the best ways to lower your risk.
How Much Does a Deep Plane Facelift Cost in Toronto, Canada?
The cost of a deep plane facelift in Toronto and Ontario can range anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 or more, but prices vary depending on the surgeon, the clinic, and whether other procedures are combined with the facelift.
Factors that affect deep plane facelift cost in Canada include:
- Surgeon’s experience and focus on facial surgery
- Time required in the operating room
- Anaesthesia and accredited facility fees
- Whether eyelid surgery, brow lift, fat grafting, or skin resurfacing is done at the same time
- Revision surgery or complex anatomy from previous procedures
Combining Your Deep Plane Facelift with Other Procedures
A deep plane facelift improves the mid-face, jawline, and neck, but it does not directly change every feature. Combining a facelift with other procedures can be efficient and often more cost-effective than staging everything separately, but note that it also lengthens operating time.
- Upper and/or lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to address loose eyelid skin, puffiness, and under-eye bags
- Brow lift for heavy or low eyebrows that create a “frowning” appearance
- Fat grafting to restore volume in hollow temples, tear troughs, or cheeks using your own fat
- Chin or jawline contouring (surgical or non-surgical) to improve the proportions of the lower face
- Skin resurfacing to improve superficial skin quality and address issues like texture, fine lines, and sun damage
Choosing Dr. Cory Torgerson for a Deep Plane Facelift in Toronto
Facelift surgery is not a beginner procedure. If you are considering a deep plane facelift in Toronto, you should be looking for a surgeon who focuses heavily on the face and neck.
Reasons patients choose Dr. Torgerson include:
- Specialised facial training. Cory Torgerson is a Royal College-certified surgeon with subspecialty training in facial cosmetic surgery. His practice is centred on the face, not general body surgery.
- Experience with deep plane techniques. Deep plane facelifts and deep plane neck lifts are core parts of his surgical practice, not occasional add-ons.
- Natural aesthetic. Torgerson aims for results that look appropriate for your age and bone structure, without the obvious “overdone” look.
- Private, discreet setting. Surgery is performed in accredited surgical environments with a focus on privacy, safety, and attentive nursing care.
- Open, honest consultations. If a deep plane facelift is not the right answer for you, he will say so and suggest alternatives instead of pushing every patient toward the same operation.
Book a Deep Plane Facelift Consultation in Toronto
If you are seriously considering a deep plane facelift in Ontario, a consultation with a facial surgery specialist is the best next step.
To meet with Dr. Cory Torgerson, review deep plane facelift before and after cases, and explore your options for facelift surgery in Toronto, contact our clinic to schedule a private appointment.
