Phillip Langsdon M.D., is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). One of America’s Top Facial Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Langsdon has served as the 2018-2019 President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the world’s largest organization of facial plastic surgeons. He has a highly respected reputation within the aesthetic surgery industry and has had a specialized practice limited to cosmetic surgery of the face, eyes, nose, head and neck for over 25 years. He runs a full-time private practice. Dr. Langsdon is a physician, surgeon, author, and a trailblazer in developing new techniques in facial plastic surgery including the deep plane facelift.

The face is comprised of several layers. The outer layer is composed of the skin. The middle layer is made of a superficial muscle and fascia system, called the superficial muscular aponeurotic layer (SMAS).

The SMAS layer runs from the top of the head, down to the collar bones, and separates the skin of the face from the deeper tissue. The layer has loose connections to the skin in some areas and tighter connections in other areas. Below the SMAS are the deep muscles of facial expression, which is the layer that allows us to smile, frown, etc.

While more commonplace or traditional facelifts depend on pulling the skin, the deep plane facelift elevates the entire mid-level muscle layer and releases some of the ligaments between the deepest layer and the middle layer (SMAS). Because of the connections from the SMAS to the skin surface, the entire face is lifted in a manner that avoids the stretched look that we often see in some celebrities or people in public mediums.

In today’s internet & social media environment, many patients may be led to believe they need extensive surgery when it may not, in fact, be beneficial. Dr. Langsdon will help each patient understand when the deep plane technique or other facelift techniques are needed to provide the most natural-looking result in their specific situation. Dr. Langsdon only recommends for each patient what they truly need to improve the condition in question, and if you won’t benefit from a procedure, he will not recommend it.

The depth and layer of tissue movement is important in determining a natural result. The deep plane technique works by lifting “under” the SMAS but avoids the muscles that help us move our face to smile, frown, etc. By lifting in the deep plane, we also prevent the direct pull on the overlying skin, which can cause a “stretched,” “pulled,” or “windblown” look.

The direction of pull also determines how we look. For over four decades, expert surgeons have known that a “backward” pull contributes to a stretched look, especially around the mouth, and an oblique (backward and upward direction) provides a more natural appearance. Understanding the importance of the direction of tissue repositioning is nothing new, despite the claims on the internet that some doctors have “invented or discovered” the importance of the direction of pull. In fact, even a deep plane lift can distort a person’s face when the pull is in an extreme manner.

The extent of lifting also determines whether there is a more natural look or an “odd” configuration of the face. Overdoing surgery can distort one’s face, no matter what plane the doctor operates in. Attached in the “deep plane” under the SMAS are ligaments that hold the facial tissue to the deeper lining near the bone. While some deep plane facelift surgeons divide all the ligaments in a routine manner, this can cause an “odd” or “misshapen” look to the face if some of those ligaments are needed to maintain normal tissue position. In fact, we have had patients from all over the U.S. consult us because of “over movement of the deep plane.” Instead, we craft each person’s surgery (and ligament division) to what needs to be elevated in order to preserve a natural yet more youthful appearance. That odd, distorted appearance (sometimes called the “joker face”) usually occurs because of various maneuvers such as “pulled skin,” “misdirection of the pull on the lift,” or “deep plane undermining that is too extensive with too many ligaments removed.” Dr. Langsdon believes that not all ligaments should be released in all patients in a “one size fits all” facelift technique. He crafts each surgery to what each patient needs.

The degree of improvement in the neck also determines the outcome from some facelift-type procedures: Some doctors treat the neck with only fat suctioning when perhaps more is needed. Or, some doctors promote extensive lifting of the upper face tissue to pull up the neck, when in some instances actual work in the neck is needed. Others limit their neck work to simple midline suturing of the SMAS layer muscle (platysmaplasty) in the neck. Dr. Langsdon invented and developed the SMMS (submental muscular medialization and suspension technique), which tightens and raises sagging muscles in the neck. Although this technique is not indicated in all situations, and some of the other above techniques can help many patients, his SMMS technique helps many patients with heavy tissues obtain a neckline much better than with older traditional facelift techniques. In some patients, this can improve the neckline better than one had during youth, before aging set in.

Dr. Langsdon and his staff are seriously amazing! They care about their patients and will do whatever is necessary to make them feel comfortable. They go above and beyond to make sure you feel educated about the procedure. They’re efficient with your time and will be available to answer any questions. They truly genuinely care about their patients. I’m very happy with my results and will be forever thankful for Dr. Langsdon and his staff for this wonderful experience!

Steffany

Will I Need Another Facelift Procedure Later On?

The deep plane layer supports the bulk of facial tissue. It is more resilient than a simple skin pull, which loses elastic strength as we age and cannot be depended upon to support the deeper structures. By lifting the deep plane, patients often have longer-lasting results than with simple skin lift procedures. However, we all continue to age as long as we live. At some point, some relaxation will occur, but we will never look as old as we would have had we not done the initial procedure. As time goes by, a “tuck up” may be needed, but there is usually less to lift after an initial deep plane procedure, AND the patients typically maintain a more natural look.

When Is a Deep Plane Facelift Indicated?

Many people wonder, “When is the best time for a facelift?” Others wonder, “deep plane vs. SMAS; which is right for me?” The answer is when the slack or sagging are not temporary conditions relieved by rest and are difficult to camouflage with cosmetics. Dr. Langsdon will help you determine which method is right for you.

What is the Surgical Experience Like at The Langsdon Clinic?

Patients have little awareness of the experience. We use IV sedation (twilight anesthesia), which is similar to the anesthesia used when having a colonoscopy procedure. Our anesthesia personnel use the same type of IV medications (instead of gas anesthesia requiring a tube in the voice box) so that patients are unaware of the experience. We believe that IV sedation for facial rejuvenation is safer than general gas anesthesia and that patients recover quicker, feel better after anesthesia, and have less chance for nausea than after gas anesthesia.

After the procedure, the IV medications are slowed down, and the patient usually pleasantly “wakes up.” This usually avoids post-anesthesia nausea and sickness that frequently accompanies “gas” type inhaled anesthesia. Most patients have no discomfort during the experience, and the following day patients usually relate a tight sensation rather than any outright discomfort. Most patients take little if any pain medications unless they have a very low pain threshold, take a lot of psychoactive medications, or have substantial daily alcohol intake.

How Much Does a Deep Plane Facelift Cost in Memphis, TN?

Due to the individualized nature of the procedure, the cost of your deep plane facelift will vary. However, even though the deep plane facelift surgery by Dr. Langsdon is one of the best in the world, costs in Memphis, Tennessee are usually vastly lower than in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc. Visit The Langsdon Clinic in person or via ZOOM or Facetime to receive an evaluation and personalized estimate for your procedure.

7499 Poplar Pike,

Germantown, TN 38138

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