Short Scar Deep Plane Facelift with Gland Removal at 42

Patient Overview

• Patient: Zoey

• Age: 42

• Gender: Female

• Procedures: Minimal access (short scar) deep plane facelift, neck lift with submandibular gland removal, browlift

• After photos taken at: 1 month post-op

• Origin: Australia

• Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Facelift at 42: Early Intervention, Exceptional Canvas

Forty-two is among the younger end of the facelift spectrum, and that is precisely what makes the result so striking. At this age, the ageing changes are present but not advanced — early jowling, the first signs of neck laxity, subtle brow descent — and the tissue quality remains excellent. The skin is elastic, the deeper structures respond readily to repositioning, and the healing is typically rapid and smooth. Zoey, an Australian patient who travelled to Istanbul, recognised that addressing these changes early, while the anatomy was cooperative, would produce a more natural and longer-lasting result than waiting until the changes had progressed further.

Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci, a fellow of the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (FEBOPRAS) and member of ISAPS and ASPS, planned a minimal access deep plane facelift with neck lift, submandibular gland removal, and browlift — a combination tailored to Zoey's specific anatomy rather than a standardised protocol.

The Minimal Access Short Scar Approach

The short scar facelift limits the incision to the preauricular region and temporal hairline, avoiding the longer scar that extends behind the ear and into the posterior scalp in a traditional facelift. For a 42-year-old patient with good skin elasticity and moderate rather than severe laxity, this approach provides the necessary access for a complete deep plane dissection while minimising the scar footprint.

The term "minimal access" can be misleading if interpreted as a lesser operation. The deep plane work performed through this incision is identical in its depth and principles to what a full-length incision allows — the SMAS is entered, the retaining ligaments are released, and the descended facial tissue is elevated as a composite flap. The difference lies only in the incision length and the amount of posterior skin that can be managed. In Zoey's case, the posterior neck did not require the additional access, making the short scar approach the right choice. For a detailed exploration of modern facelift approaches, read: Beyond the Technique: Understanding Modern Facelift Surgery.

Having trained in advanced facial rejuvenation through fellowship with Raul Gonzalez in Brazil and cadaver dissection courses in Bangkok, Dr. Sinaci selects between short scar and traditional incision designs based on what each patient's anatomy demands — never applying a single technique to every case.

Submandibular Gland Removal: Addressing Hidden Neck Fullness

Not all neck fullness comes from fat or loose skin. The submandibular glands — a pair of salivary glands that sit beneath the mandible on either side — can be naturally prominent or can enlarge with age, creating a persistent fullness in the upper neck that lies deeper than the platysma muscle. A standard neck lift that addresses only the platysmal bands, subcutaneous fat, and skin will not correct this deeper source of volume.

Zoey's preoperative assessment identified prominent submandibular glands as a contributing factor to her neck contour. During the neck lift, Dr. Sinaci performed a partial reduction of these glands to eliminate the bulge they were creating beneath the mandibular border. This is a targeted addition that requires precise anatomical knowledge — the submandibular gland sits in close proximity to the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and the facial artery, structures that must be carefully preserved during the reduction.

The result at one month already shows an exceptionally clean transition from jawline to neck — the kind of crisp definition that would not have been achievable had the gland prominence been left untreated. This level of neck refinement is one of the details that separates a good facelift result from an exceptional one.

The Browlift Component

Zoey's brow showed early lateral descent that was contributing to a subtle heaviness over the outer portion of her upper eyelids. Rather than allowing this to progress to the point where it might eventually require blepharoplasty as well, the browlift was incorporated into the same surgical session to restore the brow to its youthful position. The elevation was conservative — enough to open the lateral eye area and create a rested, refreshed expression without any suggestion of a surprised or overtreated appearance.

At 42, the brow tissues respond well to repositioning and the result integrates naturally with the surrounding facial structures. By addressing the brow now, while the descent is mild, the correction is subtle and virtually undetectable — something that becomes progressively harder to achieve as the degree of descent increases with age.

One Month: Early Maturation of a Combined Result

Zoey's before and after photographs at one month show a result that is already impressive and will continue to refine. The jawline is sharply defined, the submandibular fullness is corrected, the neck contour is clean and youthful, and the brow sits in a natural, rested position. These structural changes are permanent.

At one month, residual firmness along the jawline and mild swelling — particularly noticeable in the morning — are still present. Over the next two to three months, these will resolve completely. The short scar incisions, already well concealed at one month, will continue to fade over the following six to twelve months. The tissue softness and natural movement that characterise a fully healed deep plane facelift will establish themselves by three to four months.

When Your Mother Wants the Same Surgeon

Perhaps the strongest endorsement of a surgical result is what happened next: after seeing Zoey's recovery and outcome, her mother chose to undergo her own facelift with Dr. Sinaci. A patient recommending their surgeon to a family member — particularly for a procedure as significant as a facelift — reflects a level of trust and satisfaction that no marketing can replicate. It speaks to the quality of the result, the safety of the experience, the professionalism of the aftercare, and the overall confidence that the patient felt throughout her journey from Australia to Istanbul and back.

Australian Patients Choosing Facial Surgery in Istanbul

Zoey's journey from Australia to Istanbul is longer than the typical European or American patient's trip, reflecting particularly thorough research and a deliberate choice of surgeon over geography. For Australian patients considering facial rejuvenation abroad, the decision rests on finding a board-certified plastic surgeon whose training, technique, and aesthetic philosophy align with their goals. The combination of a short scar deep plane approach with the nuanced addition of submandibular gland removal illustrates the kind of personalised surgical planning that justifies an international journey — a plan built around the patient's specific anatomy rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.