Preservation Deep Plane Facelift in Turkey |Viktoria's Story
A New York patient's real experience with a preservation deep plane facelift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and nanofat with Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci in Istanbul.
Patient: Viktoria · From: New York, U.S.A. · Procedures: Preservation extended deep plane face and neck lift, rhinoplasty, upper and lower blepharoplasty, nanofat injections
Viktoria had thought about facial rejuvenation for years before she made a decision. Based in New York and originally from Russia, she wanted a result that matched how she felt inwardly — not a dramatic change, but a face that looked rested, natural, and unmistakably her own. That distinction is what eventually led her from Manhattan to Istanbul for a preservation extended deep plane facelift, alongside rhinoplasty, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and nanofat grafting with Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci.
Why a Preservation Approach
Viktoria's consultations began virtually, over video calls between New York and Istanbul, before she ever booked a flight. Her priorities were specific from the start: she wanted her lower face and neck lifted, the sagging along her jawline addressed, and the tiredness around her eyes softened — but she was clear that she did not want to look "done." She used the phrase "refreshed, not operated on" more than once during planning.
That goal is exactly what a preservation-based deep plane technique is built around. Rather than pulling skin tight over the surface, the approach works underneath it — releasing and repositioning the ligaments and muscle layer that have descended with age, then letting the face settle back into its own natural contours rather than a stretched one. Because the deeper structures are doing the lifting instead of surface tension alone, patients tend to see a more natural transition and, in many cases, a faster visible recovery than with older surface-only lift techniques.
The Surgical Plan
Viktoria's case combined four procedures in a single visit, planned around how each would support the others:
Preservation extended deep plane face and neck lift — the primary procedure, targeting the sagging along her lower face, jawline, and neck by working at the ligament and muscle level.
Rhinoplasty — subtle refinement to the bridge and tip, intended to bring balance to the midface rather than change her overall look.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty — addressing hooding on the upper lids and puffiness beneath the eyes, both common contributors to a tired appearance that a facelift alone doesn't fully resolve.
Nanofat injection — fat harvested from Viktoria's own body, processed down to a fine, stem-cell-rich consistency, and reintroduced to restore volume lost over time and support skin quality.
Combining procedures this way is common for international patients who travel for surgery, since it means one recovery period covers the full set of changes a patient wants rather than several separate trips.
Traveling for Surgery: What That Actually Involves
Dr. Sinaci's practice is certified as an international health tourism center by the Turkish Ministry of Health, and the logistics for a patient like Viktoria are built around that — airport transfers, accommodation coordination, and structured post-operative follow-up for patients who aren't local to Istanbul. For anyone weighing whether traveling abroad for a facelift is practical, that infrastructure is usually the deciding factor as much as the surgical technique itself.
Early Recovery
By day five after surgery, Viktoria's documented results already showed the shape of the outcome, even with normal swelling and bruising still present at that stage. Every patient heals on their own timeline, but for procedures at this level, it's common for patients to feel ready for light, low-key activity by roughly the end of the first week, with the more visible swelling continuing to resolve over the following weeks and final results settling in over the following months.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with international training that includes a fellowship with Dr. Raul Gonzalez in Brazil. His practice in Istanbul focuses on facial rejuvenation, including deep plane and preservation facelift techniques, alongside rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery. You can read more about his background on the About Dr. Sinaci page.
More Patient Experiences
Viktoria's case is one of several international patients who've traveled to Istanbul for similar procedures. Related stories include Andrianna's facelift and neck lift journey from London and Aaron's male neck lift, traveling from Copenhagen. You can browse the full set of patient stories, along with before-and-after results and verified patient reviews, to see a broader range of outcomes before making your own decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a preservation deep plane facelift different from a traditional facelift? A traditional facelift primarily tightens skin at the surface. A preservation deep plane approach instead repositions the ligaments and muscle layer beneath the skin, which is what allows results to look natural rather than "pulled" — because the lift is coming from deeper structures, not surface tension.
How long is recovery for a combined facelift, rhinoplasty, and blepharoplasty? Recovery varies by individual and by the specific combination of procedures performed. Many patients feel ready for light activity around one week post-surgery, with visible swelling reducing over the following weeks and final results developing over several months. Your surgeon can give you a recovery estimate specific to your case during consultation.
Is it safe to combine a facelift with rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery in one surgery? Combining procedures is a common and established practice when a patient is medically suitable and the combined surgical time remains within safe limits. The decision depends on individual health factors, which is why a thorough consultation and medical evaluation always precedes surgical planning.
What is nanofat and why is it used with a facelift? Nanofat is fat harvested from the patient's own body and mechanically processed into a very fine consistency rich in regenerative cells. It's typically used to restore lost volume and improve skin quality in areas a facelift alone doesn't address, such as fine lines or thin skin around the eyes and cheeks.
This account reflects one patient's individual experience and results. Outcomes vary by patient, and results shown or described are not guaranteed for every case. Facial cosmetic surgery carries the same risks as any surgical procedure; a full medical evaluation and consultation is required before any surgery is planned.
