Deep Plane Face-Neck Lift & Blepharoplasty | 68 Years Old

Full Facial Rejuvenation in Istanbul: Carolyn's Story

Carolyn is a 68-year-old patient from Ohio, USA who traveled to Istanbul, Turkey for a full facial rejuvenation surgery with Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci. Like many international patients who choose Turkey for aesthetic surgery, Carolyn had researched her options carefully before deciding on Istanbul — a city that has become one of the world's leading destinations for deep plane facelift surgery, attracting patients from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and across Europe.

Her surgical plan was comprehensive: a deep plane face and neck lift, midline platysmaplasty to correct a turkey neck deformity, upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty, and advanced fat grafting combining microfat for volume restoration and nanofat with SVF (stromal vascular fraction) for skin regeneration. All procedures were performed in a single surgical session, allowing Carolyn to achieve a complete transformation with one recovery period.

Turkey Neck Deformity: What It Is and Why Surgery Is the Answer

One of Carolyn's primary concerns was a pronounced turkey neck deformity — one of the most common and visible signs of aging in the lower face and neck. Turkey neck occurs when the platysma muscle (a thin, flat muscle that runs from the collarbone up to the jaw) loses tone and separates at the midline, creating the characteristic vertical bands visible in the front of the neck. This is further compounded by the accumulation of deep submental fat under the chin and the loss of skin elasticity, resulting in sagging, jowling, and a poorly defined jawline.

Non-surgical treatments — including radiofrequency skin tightening, Kybella injections, or thread lifts — cannot adequately address this degree of structural change. The gold standard for turkey neck correction is a deep plane face and neck lift combined with midline platysmaplasty, which directly targets both the muscle and the excess fat at their source.

Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift: The Most Advanced Facelift Technique

The deep plane facelift is the most technically advanced and long-lasting facelift technique available today. Unlike a traditional SMAS facelift — which only tightens the superficial muscle layer — the deep plane technique releases the deeper facial ligaments and repositions a composite flap of muscle, fat, and skin as a single unit. This restores the face to its youthful structure rather than simply pulling the skin tighter, producing results that look completely natural and last significantly longer.

Dr. CBS performed Carolyn's deep plane facelift through a retro-tragal incision carefully hidden within the natural creases around the ear, extending into the hairline. This approach conceals the scar while allowing full access to the deep facial structures. By releasing the zygomatic, masseteric, and mandibular ligaments, Dr. CBS was able to reposition the descended midface fat compartments, restore cheek projection, define the jawline, and eliminate the jowls — all without creating the tight or "done" look that patients fear.

Midline Platysmaplasty: Correcting the Turkey Neck

The midline platysmaplasty is performed through a small incision placed discreetly beneath the chin. During this procedure, Dr. CBS tightens the separated platysma bands by suturing them together at the midline, and removes the excess deep cervical fat that has accumulated under the chin. This directly sculpts the cervicomental angle — the sharp, defined angle between the chin and neck that is one of the most important markers of youth and facial harmony.

The combination of the deep plane facelift and platysmaplasty addresses the neck from both directions — the lateral approach (through the ear incision) tightens the outer neck and jawline, while the midline approach sculpts the front. Together, they produce a clean, firm, well-defined neck contour that is impossible to achieve with either technique alone.

Upper and Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Refreshing the Eyes

Eyelid surgery was an important part of Carolyn's facial rejuvenation. Upper blepharoplasty removed the excess, drooping skin from the upper eyelids that had begun to hood over the eyes — giving a tired, heavy appearance that no amount of makeup can fully conceal. Lower blepharoplasty addressed the under-eye bags caused by the herniation of orbital fat through the weakened lower eyelid septum, as well as the hollowness beneath.

The eyelids are often the first area of the face to show aging and the first thing people notice when they look at each other. By correcting both the upper and lower lids, Dr. CBS restored a rested, open, and alert appearance to Carolyn's eyes — harmonizing the eye area with the rejuvenated lower face and neck.

Fat Grafting: Microfat, Nanofat, and SVF for Volume and Skin Quality

Aging is not only about sagging — it is also about volume loss. As we age, the fat compartments of the face deflate and descend, leading to hollowness in the temples, cheeks, tear troughs, and around the mouth. A facelift alone cannot restore this lost volume; fat grafting is the most natural and long-lasting solution available.

Dr. CBS used a two-stage fat grafting protocol for Carolyn. Microfat — larger, purified fat particles — was injected into the deeper layers of the cheeks, temples, midface, and periorbital regions to restore three-dimensional structural volume and lift. Nanofat and SVF (stromal vascular fraction), processed into a finer emulsion rich in adipose-derived stem cells, growth factors, and regenerative cells, were then injected superficially into the skin. SVF and nanofat work at a biological level — stimulating collagen production, improving skin thickness and elasticity, reducing fine lines, and correcting uneven skin tone — producing a skin quality improvement that goes far beyond what volume alone can achieve. This regenerative approach to fat grafting is one of the most effective anti-aging tools available in plastic surgery today.

Results at 3 Months: What to Expect After a Deep Plane Facelift

These before and after photos were taken 3 months following Carolyn's surgery. At this stage, the majority of post-operative swelling has resolved and the transformation is clearly visible. The jawline is sharply defined, the turkey neck deformity is fully corrected, the neck contour is smooth and firm, the eyes appear open and refreshed, and the facial volume has been beautifully restored.

It is important to note that deep plane facelift results continue to improve and refine over 6 to 12 months as the remaining deep tissue swelling gradually subsides. The final result is typically softer and more natural than what is visible at 3 months. Patients who travel to Istanbul for facelift surgery can expect to feel presentable in social settings within 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, with most returning to normal activities well before the 6-week mark.

Why Choose Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci for Deep Plane Facelift Surgery in Istanbul?

Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci is a European and Turkish board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in facial rejuvenation surgery. He is a Fellow of the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS) and an active member of ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) and ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

Patients from the United States, the UK, and across Europe choose Istanbul for facelift surgery because of the combination of world-class surgical expertise, internationally accredited facilities, and significantly more accessible costs compared to their home countries — without compromising on quality or safety. If you are considering a deep plane facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, or fat grafting procedure, contact Dr. CBS to schedule a consultation.