Deep Plane Facelift: Cost, Recovery & My Honest Experience

Every woman I know has done this… You stand in front of the mirror and pull your skin back near your ears just to see what you’d look like with a tighter jawline. Maybe you pull your neck back and think: “Okay… so THAT’S where my face went.”

And then the late-night Googling starts:

• “What does a facelift actually cost?”
• “How bad is the recovery?”
• “What’s the difference between a mini facelift and a deep plane facelift?”
• “How do celebrities look SO good without looking ‘done’?”
• “At what age should you do this?”
• “Am I too young?”
• “Am I too old?”
• “Why does everyone on TikTok suddenly have the same face?”

After months of research, multiple consultations, and finally going through my own deep plane facelift surgery, I sat down with my surgeon, Dr. Miguel Mascaro, to ask the questions women REALLY want answered.

Including exactly how much I paid.

Why I Chose Dr. Miguel Mascaro

One of the reasons I chose Dr. Miguel Mascaro is because he hates gimmicks.

He openly talks about:

• Price gouging in plastic surgery
• Surgeons inventing fancy names for procedures that are basically just facelifts
• Overfilled faces
• Overdone surgery
• Why some women end up looking completely unlike themselves

He’s double board-certified in facial plastic surgery and head and neck surgery and specializes in natural-looking results.

Not “Who IS that woman?” results. More like: “Wait… did you go on vacation? You look amazing.” That’s the goal.

The Biggest Mistake Women Make Before a Facelift

This is gonna piss some people off, but… A lot of women wait too long.

According to Dr. Mascaro, one of the reasons women end up with overly dramatic results is because they waited until the aging changes became severe.

Here’s the thing…

The best facelift is usually the one nobody notices.

And the women you think are “aging naturally”? Yeah… most of them are doing tiny tweaks along the way. Small procedures. Strategic timing. Good skincare. Subtle maintenance.

Not one giant surgery at 67 after ignoring everything for 20 years.

What Is a Deep Plane Facelift?

A deep plane facelift is considered one of the most advanced facelift techniques available today. Instead of just pulling skin tighter, it repositions deeper facial structures for a more natural result.

Translation: Less “wind tunnel.” More “you… but rested.”

Dr. Mascaro explained that many so-called “mini lifts” are mostly marketing terms.

His words: “Mini lift, mini results.” And honestly… that changed how I thought about everything.

My Actual Facelift Procedures

People kept asking me:
“What EXACTLY did you have done?”

So here’s the full list.

I had:

• Extended deep plane face and neck lift
• Central compartment neck dissection
• Laryngeal setback
• Platysmal sling
• Upper blepharoplasty
• CO2 laser under the eyes
• Overnight recovery care
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy afterward

What I did NOT do:

• Brow lift
• Lip lift
• Temporal lift
• Fat transfer
• Lower blepharoplasty

And honestly? That surprised a lot of people because I originally went into consultations wanting ALL of those things.

Dr. Mascaro literally talked me OUT of procedures. That, to me, was a massive green flag.

What a Facelift Really Costs

Okay… let’s talk numbers because I know this is what everyone wants to know.

My procedures and aftercare through Dr. Mascaro totaled: $46,000.

Then I spent approximately: $10,000 additional on my own recovery support and aftercare.

So all in: About $56,000 total.

Now before you spit out your protein coffee…Dr. Mascaro also made a really important point: Expensive does NOT automatically mean better. There are incredible surgeons outside Beverly Hills. There are mediocre surgeons INSIDE Beverly Hills.

And social media? It makes this whole thing even more confusing.

How to Find the Right Facelift Surgeon

This might be the most important section in this entire blog.

Because your result depends less on trends…and WAY more on the surgeon.

Here’s what Dr. Mascaro says you should ask:

• Who handles aftercare?
• Will I actually see my surgeon after surgery?
• How accessible is the office if something goes wrong?
• How long do they follow patients post-op?

Also…

Please stop assuming: “Famous surgeon = best surgeon.” That’s not always true.

And for the love of Botox…do not choose a surgeon based solely on Instagram.

The Secret to Looking Natural

According to Dr. Mascaro, natural results come down to:

• Proper planning
• Restraint
• Moderation
• Timing
• Customization

Not every woman needs every procedure. That’s where things go sideways. Women start collecting procedures like they’re ordering appetizers: “I’ll take the lip lift, the brow lift, the ponytail lift, the laser, the filler…”

Also me:
Girl. Calm down.

A good surgeon should absolutely tell you NO sometimes.

Facelift Recovery: What Actually Helped Me Heal Faster

I treated recovery like a full-time job. No exaggeration.

I did:

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Red light therapy
• Lymphatic massage
• Prioritized sleep
• Compression garments
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition
• High protein intake
• Hydration
• Stress reduction

And yes… I really do think it made a massive difference.

Dr. Mascaro kept saying the same thing:
The basics matter most.

Good sleep.
Protein.
Hydration.
Nutrition.

Not just biohacking your face into another dimension.

The Psychological Side of Plastic Surgery Nobody Talks About

This part hit me hard. Dr. Mascaro said he can usually tell within the first five minutes whether someone is emotionally ready for surgery.

Because sometimes…the issue isn’t your neck.

It’s anxiety. Perfectionism. Body dysmorphia. Or chasing filtered versions of yourself online.

And honestly? That conversation matters more than people realize.

My Honest Thoughts After Surgery

Would I do it again? Yep. Absolutely.

If this face falls again in 10 years? You bet your bottom dollar I’ll tweak it.

But here’s what I need you to hear:

You do not need plastic surgery to be worthy. You do not need a facelift to be beautiful. And you’re not “vain” if you want one.

You’re allowed to want to recognize yourself again. That doesn’t make you shallow. It makes you human.

Watch the Full YouTube Episode

If you’re seriously considering:

• A facelift
• A neck lift
• Blepharoplasty
• Deep plane facelift surgery
• Fillers vs surgery
• Recovery planning
• Natural facelift results

…you need to watch the full conversation.

We covered:

• The right age for surgery
• Why some facelifts look obvious
• Mini facelift vs deep plane facelift
• Recovery mistakes
• Lasers, fillers, and Botox
• How celebrities maintain natural-looking results
• The truth about facelift pricing

And honestly… it’s one of the most informative conversations I’ve ever had on the topic.

FAQs About Facelifts

What is the best age for a facelift?

There’s no magic age. Dr. Mascaro says it depends more on tissue laxity, bone structure, genetics, and goals than a specific number.

How long does a deep plane facelift last?

Most deep plane facelifts can last 10 years or longer depending on genetics, weight changes, lifestyle, and skincare.

What’s the difference between a mini facelift and a deep plane facelift?

A mini facelift usually addresses smaller areas with less dramatic improvement. A deep plane facelift repositions deeper facial structures for more comprehensive, natural-looking results.

Why do some facelifts look unnatural?

Overfilling, overtightening, poor surgical technique, and combining too many procedures at once can create an unnatural appearance.

Is facelift recovery painful?

Recovery varies, but preparation matters. Sleep, nutrition, hydration, lymphatic drainage, and proper aftercare can dramatically improve healing.

Final Thoughts

Listen…

If you’re even THINKING about plastic surgery, please educate yourself first.

Do the research. Ask hard questions. Vet the surgeon. Get support like I did by hiring The Beauty Brokers to help find a surgeon. Have a recovery plan.

And please…don’t get cheap with your face.

Love you. Mean it. xo