By Dr. Arthur Jabs — Deep Plane Facelift Specialist
Why Combining Procedures Creates Better, More Harmonious Results
Many facelift patients in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia choose to combine their deep plane facelift with other procedures to create a complete, balanced, natural result.
A facelift rejuvenates:
- The jawline
- The midface
- The neck
But aging affects every part of the face differently.
Combining selective procedures helps ensure the entire face looks cohesive, not mismatched.
This is why 50–70% of my facelift patients choose at least one additional procedure.
This guide explains:
- The most common add-ons
- Who benefits from each
- What sequence is safest
- How combination surgery affects downtime
- DMV-specific aesthetic preferences
Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty) is part of the Deep Plane lift
The neck lift corrects:
- Vertical platysmal bands
- “Turkey neck” skin
- Laxity under the chin
- Blunted jaw-neck angle
- Submental fat pockets
DMV Benefit:
Patients in public-facing careers value a crisp, professional neck contour.
Downtime:
Same as deep plane facelift, ~10–14 days.
Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty)
Upper eyelid surgery is one of the most powerful add-on procedures and the most common.
This addresses:
- Hooded eyelids
- Extra skin
- Heaviness of the upper lid
- “Tired” appearance
The results:
- Brighter, more open eyes
- Better symmetry
- Natural youthfulness
Ideal patients:
- 40s–70s
- People whose eyes age faster than their face
- Professionals who feel they “look tired” on video calls
Downtime:
Minimal —10-14 days
DMV Aesthetic Note: Patients prefer natural, non-overdone lids that preserve character.
Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty)
Lower eyelids are one of the most aging facial areas. Lower eyelid surgery is often combined with an upper lid blepharoplasty
Correctable issues:
- Under-eye bags
- Hollowing
- Wrinkling
- Crepey skin
- Shadowing
May be combined with:
- Micro-fat grafting of the tear troughs
Ideal for:
- Patients with bags or hollows
- Patients wanting to remove filler from the tear troughs
- Individuals who look tired despite good sleep
Downtime:
7–10 days.
Fat Grafting (Micro and Macro)
See our blog on Deep Plane Facelift With or Without Fat Grafting: Which Is Better for Natural, Youthful Results in Washington, D.C.?
Added when:
- Cheeks are hollow
- Temples are sunken
- Under-eyes are shadowed
- Lips need soft, subtle restoration
Perfect for:
- Weight-loss patients
- Patients over age 50
- Patients who want natural fullness
- Anyone frustrated with fillers
Long-term result:
Permanent volume restoration in most areas. The lips, since they move, are more difficult to get fat to gain a blood supply.
Laser/Peel Resurfacing
The Skin-Texture Game-Changer
A facelift lifts the structure, but texture and fine lines are best improved with laser resurfacing.
Lasers and peels improve:
- Wrinkles
- Sun damage
- Pigmentation
- Texture irregularities
- Lip lines
- Crepey lower eyelids
- Acne scars (mild to moderate)
Ideal for:
- Sun-damaged skin
- Upper lip lines
- Aging around eyes
- Overall rejuvenation
Downtime:
21-30 days with redness that takes months to completely go away. The transformation of the skin is often remarkable.
DMV Note: Most patients prefer timing laser resurfacing while already taking surgery leave.
Brow Lift (Lateral or Full)
A facelift does not lift the brows — a misconception many patients have. When the brow is below the bony upper orbital rim, it is time for a browlift.
Brow lifts correct:
- Heavy brows
- Deep forehead lines
- Angry or tired appearance
- Hooding caused by brow descent
Natural results:
Modern techniques avoid the overly high “surprised” look.
DMV Preferences:
Patients prefer lateral brow lifts, which subtly open the eyes without a dramatic change.
Downtime:
10-14 days.
Chin Augmentation (Implants or Fat)
This is one of the most powerful ways to enhance the jawline.
A deep plane facelift improves:
- Jowls
- Lower face sagging
- Neck contour
But a chin implant improves:
- Facial balance
- Profile harmony
- Strength of the jawline
- Masculinity or femininity
Perfect for:
- Weak or recessed chins often seen in those with an underbite
- Patients wanting a stronger profile
- Men seeking a more defined jawline
- Women wanting delicate but refined balance
Downtime:
7-10 days.
Lip Lift
A subtle lip lift procedure:
- Shortens the distance between the nose and the lip
- Restores youthful proportions
- Enhances tooth show
- Improves smile aesthetics
Often ideal for:
- Patients over 50
- Those with long upper lips
- Anyone whose lips look “thin” despite fullness
Downtime:
7 days.
Buccal Fat Reduction
(Used cautiously, selectively)
Buccal fat reduction removes small pockets of cheek fat to contour:
- Cheek hollows
- Jawline definition
BUT —
In 2025, most facelift surgeons use this cautiously.
Too much reduction = hollow, aged appearance later.
Best for:
- Young patients with very full cheeks
- Those wanting a strong cheek-to-jawline contrast
Not ideal for:
- Weight-loss patients
- Thin faces
- Mature patients
How Combining Procedures Affects Downtime
Here’s the key point:
Combining procedures does not significantly extend downtime since recovery from the facelift occurs at the SAME time as ancillary procedures
A typical timeline:
- Facelift alone: 10–14 days
- Facelift + eyelids: 10–14 days
- Facelift + laser: 18–21 days
- Facelift + fat grafting: 10–14 days
You recover all at once, not sequentially.
This is why combination surgery is so popular with high-performing D.C. professionals — one recovery, one time away from work, one transformation.
The Most Popular Combinations in the DMV
The top three combinations:
1. Deep Plane Facelift Upper/Lower Eyelids
Creates a complete rejuvenation from chin to forehead.
2. Deep Plane Facelift +Fat Grafting
Ideal for hollowing, weight-loss patients, and anyone over 50.
3. Deep Plane Facelift + Laser/Peel
Perfect for texture, wrinkles, and sun damage.
DMV Aesthetic Preferences: What Patients Here Want Most
Patients in the Washington, D.C. region almost universally want:
- Natural
- Elegant
- Quiet
- Subtle
- Non-overdone
- Balanced results
- A younger version of themselves
- Not “pillowy” or “windblown”
Combination surgery achieves this when done thoughtfully and balances the aesthetic result.
The Best Facelift Results Come From a Customized Combination Approach
The deep plane facelift is the foundation — but the best outcomes often come from combining the lift with one or more targeted procedures.
This approach creates:
✔ Full-face harmony
✔ Youthful contours
✔ Natural expression
✔ Long-lasting refinement
✔ Subtle elegance — ideal for the DMV
Explore more at the:
Or schedule a consultation for a personalized combination plan.
Article by Dr. Arthur Jabs, board-certified plastic surgeon in the Washington, D.C. metro area, specializing in deep plane facelift and natural facial rejuvenation.
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