Deep Plane Facelift with Blepharoplasty: The most common combination in facial rejuvenation surgery: deep plane facelift addresses midface, jowls, and neck while blepharoplasty corrects drooping upper eyelids and under-eye bags in the same procedure and recovery.
— DeepPlane.com Medical Team
Deep Plane Facelift with Blepharoplasty: Quick Facts
- Most Common Combo
- Facelift + eyelid surgery
- Additional Time
- +45-90 min surgery
- Additional Cost
- +$3,000-$7,000
- Combined Recovery
- Same as facelift alone
- Ideal For
- Hooded eyelids + facial sagging
- Satisfaction Rate
- ~96% combined procedure
Source: Clinical Evidence & Medical Reviews
Deep Plane Facelift with Blepharoplasty
Quick Answer
Can deep plane facelift include blepharoplasty?
Yes — deep plane facelift and blepharoplasty are the most frequently combined facial procedures. Eyelid surgery adds 45-90 minutes under the same anesthesia, addresses both upper and lower eyelids, and recovery overlaps almost entirely with the facelift's 2-3 week downtime.
Source: DeepPlane.com · Reviewed
Adding blepharoplasty to a deep plane facelift costs an additional $3,000-$7,000 and just 45-90 minutes of surgery time. Without addressing the eyelids, a rejuvenated lower face can draw attention to tired, drooping eyes — creating an imbalanced result. Combining both in one session produces true facial harmony with a single anesthesia and shared recovery.
- One anesthesia event reduces combined medical risk compared to two separate procedures.
- Recovery periods overlap almost entirely — no additional downtime from adding eyelid surgery.
- Addresses the full periorbital and lower face aging simultaneously for balanced harmony.
Blepharoplasty — eyelid surgery — is the most commonly combined procedure with deep plane facelift.[4] While the deep plane technique addresses descent of the midface, jowls, and neck by releasing tissue at the sub-SMAS plane, blepharoplasty corrects the periorbital aging that facelift alone cannot reach.[2] The deep plane approach specifically benefits this combination because its tension-free skin closure reduces the risk of lower eyelid distortion (ectropion), which is a known complication when aggressive lower blepharoplasty is paired with more superficial facelift techniques.[1]
Frequently combined procedures — blepharoplasty, brow lift, neck lift, fat transfer, and laser resurfacing can be performed alongside deep plane facelift
Upper vs. Lower Blepharoplasty: What Each Addresses
Addresses
Hooded eyelids, excess skin, obstructed vision, tired look
Incision
Within natural eyelid crease — hidden scar
Recovery
7-10 days swelling
Addresses
Under-eye bags, puffiness, tear trough hollows, fine lines
Incision
Transconjunctival (no visible scar) or subciliary
Recovery
10-14 days swelling
Why Deep Plane Specifically Benefits This Combination
The deep plane technique is uniquely advantageous when combined with blepharoplasty. Traditional SMAS-only facelifts close skin under significant tension, which can distort the lower eyelid position — a major risk factor for ectropion (eversion of the eyelid). Because the deep plane releases and repositions the deeper tissue layer, skin closure is essentially tension-free. This dramatically reduces the risk of lower eyelid complications when aggressive lower blepharoplasty is performed simultaneously.2
Additionally, the deep plane's midface repositioning naturally improves the tear trough area — the hollow beneath the lower eyelid. When the descended malar fat pad is restored to its youthful position, it fills the lid-cheek junction and reduces the hollow appearance. This allows lower blepharoplasty to focus on fat repositioning rather than aggressive removal, producing a softer, more natural result.
Who Benefits Most from This Combination
Good Candidates
- • Hooded upper eyelids creating a tired or heavy appearance
- • Under-eye bags with simultaneous jowling or neck laxity
- • Patients who want full facial rejuvenation in one recovery
- • Those whose brow position is adequate but eyelid skin is redundant
Consider Brow Lift Instead If
- • Upper eyelid hooding is primarily from a descended brow
- • Brow sits at or below the orbital rim
- • Upper eyelid skin appears redundant only because brow is low
- • A surgeon's assessment shows brow ptosis as primary concern
Recovery Timeline for Combined Procedure
- Days 1-3: Head elevation, cool compresses on eyes, rest. Eyelid bruising appears purple-yellow around the eye area.
- Days 5-7: Eyelid sutures removed. Most facial bruising still present but improving. Eyes may feel dry or tight.
- Days 10-14: Most eyelid swelling resolved. Facelift bruising fading. Many patients return to social activities.
- Weeks 3-6: Residual tightness around eyelids and face. Sun protection critical. Final eyelid results become visible.
- Months 3-6: Full results visible. Both facelift and eyelid improvements settle into their final appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical References
- 01Hamra ST. The deep-plane rhytidectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990;86(1):53-61(opens in new tab)(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-03-21DOI: 10.1097/00006534-199001000-00006
- 02Rohrich RJ, et al. Current Concepts in Deep-Plane Face Lifting. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021;148(5):1025-1038(opens in new tab)(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-03-21DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008130
- 03
- 04Codner MA, et al. Blepharoplasty and brow lift. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;126(1):1e-17e(opens in new tab)(Journal Article)Accessed: 2026-04-13DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181dbc6f1
- 05Mayo Clinic - Facelift: Overview, Risks and Results(opens in new tab)(Organization)Accessed: 2026-04-01
- 06NIH National Library of Medicine - Rhytidectomy StatPearls(opens in new tab)(Government Source)Accessed: 2026-04-01
Key Facts
Common Misconceptions
Myth: Blepharoplasty and facelift cannot be done safely in one session
Fact: This is the most common facial surgery combination. Shared anesthesia and overlapping recovery make simultaneous surgery the preferred approach for most candidates.
Myth: Lower blepharoplasty always leaves visible scars
Fact: Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty places the incision entirely inside the eyelid, leaving no external scar whatsoever. This technique is suitable for most candidates with fat herniation.
Myth: Adding blepharoplasty doubles recovery time
Fact: Eyelid healing and facelift healing happen simultaneously. The combined recovery period is essentially the same 2-3 weeks as facelift alone, with eyelid swelling usually resolving faster than facial swelling.
Points Worth Noting
A surgeon should assess whether upper lid hooding is from brow descent or true lid excess before recommending blepharoplasty
Dry eye symptoms should be disclosed pre-operatively — lower blepharoplasty may affect tear production temporarily
Sun protection and lubricating eye drops are important post-operative care items for eyelid healing
Conservative fat removal is preferred over aggressive resection to avoid hollow post-operative appearance
Dr. Yakup Duman
Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Specialist
Board-certified Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery specialist with 13+ years of experience. Specializes in deep plane facelift at Merkez Prime Hospital, Istanbul. Medical Reviewer for DeepPlane.com.
Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Association
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