Deep Plane Facelift — Miami, Florida

Your face should match how young you feel on the inside.

If jowls, a softening jawline, or loose neck skin have you avoiding photos and Zoom calls — you deserve a lasting solution, not another round of fillers. Dr. Gerth's Deep Plane Facelift addresses the structural root of facial aging, so you look refreshed and natural. Never pulled. Never "done."

13+
Years performing Deep Plane Facelift
3x
Board-certified surgeon
10-15
Years of lasting
results
Private & No-Obligation

Take the first step.

No pressure. Just answers.
Share a little about yourself and Dr. Gerth's team will reach out personally — usually within one business day. Your information is always kept completely confidential.

Your face tells a story you never agreed to.

  • "My jowls make me look 10 years older than I feel — and I can't stop seeing them in photos."
  • "No matter how much weight I lose, my neck still has that loose, sagging skin."
  • "Fillers used to work. Now they just make me look puffy. I'm spending thousands and still hate my lower face."
  • "Video calls are brutal. My jawline has just disappeared."
  • "I don't recognize myself in photos anymore. I look exhausted even when I feel great."

Sounds Familiar?

These aren't vanity concerns — they're the natural result of deeper facial structures shifting with age. And they can't be filled, frozen, or threaded away.

The turning point nobody tells you about.
There's a moment when the non-surgical options stop working — not because they were wrong, but because the problem changed. Sagging is a structural issue. Fillers address volume. Lasers address texture. Threads provide minimal, temporary lift. None of them reposition the deeper facial layers that have shifted over decades.

When patients reach this point, they're often spending $4,000–$8,000 per year on injectables for diminishing returns. One deep plane facelift can provide 10–15 years of improvement — and eliminate the ongoing cycle entirely.

That's not a sales pitch. That's math — and thousands of patients have made the calculation.
In-person & virtual available · No obligation

The Maintenance Trap vs. The Deep Plane Solution

Feature Non-surgical cycle Deep plane facelift
Primary action Volume & plumping — treats the surface Structural reset — treats the foundation
Annual cost $4,000 – $8,000+ $0 post-procedure (one-time investment)
Time commitment 30+ appointments per decade One transformative procedure
Longevity 3 – 6 months 10 – 15 years
Visual result Risk of "pillow face" or heaviness Natural, refreshed look

Real patients. Real transformations.

Every result below reflects Dr. Gerth's commitment to natural, structural rejuvenation — a refreshed version of you, never an altered one. Individual results vary based on anatomy, age, and treatment plan.

Facelift before and after photo
Case #8431 · Jawline & Submental Fullness
Before:
Heavy submental fullness with no visible chin-neck angle; the lower face and neck had merged into a single undefined contour.
After:
A sharp, clean jawline and defined chin-neck angle restored — dramatically more youthful from every angle.
Case #5412 · Jowling & Neck Laxity
Before:
Visible jowling softening the jawline, platysmal neck bands, and loose skin creating an undefined jaw-to-neck transition.
After:
Crisp jawline, neck bands resolved, and the lower face lifted and repositioned — natural, not tight.
Case #2711 · Advanced Lower Face Descent
Before:
Significant bilateral jowling descending below the jawline, deep marionette lines pulling the corners of the mouth downward, and pronounced neck laxity.
After:
Jowls eliminated, marionette lines dramatically softened, and a fully restored jawline — face looks genuinely younger, not operated on.
These are three of Dr. Gerth's actual patients. View all 10 facelift cases — including additional angles for each — in the full gallery. 
Individual results may vary*
The procedure

Why the Deep Plane is different
— not just deeper.

Most facelift techniques pull skin. The Deep Plane repositions the structural foundation beneath it. That's why the results look natural instead of pulled.

1. Releases the deeper layers

Dr. Gerth enters the plane beneath the SMAS (the muscle-fascia layer) and the platysma in the neck — the same layers that shift as you age. These are detached from their deep attachments, not just pulled over.

2. Repositions — doesn't stretch

The tissues are lifted in a vertical vector, restoring their original anatomical position. No skin is put under tension. This is why the result looks natural and why expressions remain intact.

3. Addresses jowls, jawline, neck, and midface

Because the deep plane extends to the nasolabial fold, the midface, cheeks, and jawline are all improved — not just tightened around the ears.

4. Incisions that disappear

Carefully placed around the ear, incisions heal to be nearly imperceptible — even with short hair. Skin closure is completely tension-free.

5. Same-day return home

Surgery is performed in Dr. Gerth's fully accredited, on-site operating suite. Most patients go home the same day after recovery in the post-op suite.
The procedure

Invest in a Decade of Confidence

A mini-lift is a temporary fix. A Deep Plane lift is a structural restoration. See how Dr. Gerth’s specialized approach provides 3x the longevity of traditional surface-level surgery.

Deep Plane vs. Other Approaches

Feature Skin/Mini Lift Deep plane facelift(Dr. Gerth)
Fixes jowls structurally Limited ✓ Yes
Natural expressions preserved Varies ✓ Yes
Improves neck & midface Partial ✓ Full
Duration of results 2–5 yrs 10 – 15 years
Risk of "pulled" look Higher ✓ Minimal
Tension on skin closure Yes None

If you're considering surgery, it's worth doing it once, and doing it right.

A note on "mini facelifts" and thread lifts:
These techniques are appropriate for very early aging changes. For patients with jowling, neck laxity, and midface descent, a skin-only or limited technique typically produces short-lived results — and can make a future deep plane facelift more complex.
Your surgeon

Triple board-certified.
13+ years of deep plane expertise.

Not every surgeon who offers a facelift specializes in deep plane. Dr. Gerth's training is uniquely suited to the most demanding aspects of this technique.

Triple Board-Certified

Board certified in Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, and fellowship-trained in microsurgery. This combination is exceptionally rare — and directly relevant to deep plane work.

Deep Anatomic Knowledge

Dr. Gerth's Head & Neck Surgery training means he operates in the deep plane with intimate knowledge of every nerve and blood vessel — enabling wide undermining all the way to the nasolabial fold, safely.

On-Site Accredited OR

Surgery is performed in a fully accredited operating suite in the same building as the office. Dr. Gerth is present and available to his patients at every step — not managing a high-volume mill.

Personally Involved. Always.

From your first consultation to your one-year follow-up, Dr. Gerth is present at every step. He personally performs all surgeries, reviews all plans, and attends to recovery.

Custom Technique Modifications

Dr. Gerth has mastered the foundational deep plane techniques and developed his own modifications — including approaches that maximize neck-to-face lifting results for individual anatomy.

Serving Out-of-Town Patients

Many of Dr. Gerth's patients travel to Miami specifically for this procedure. Virtual consultations available. Recovery lymphatic massage referrals provided. We make the logistics easy.
Your face is unique. Your goals are unique. I'm not here to give you a standard result — I'm here to give you a result that makes you look like a fresher, more rested version of yourself. Not someone else. Not a 'done' face. You.
Dr. David Gerth, MD
Triple Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon · Miami, Florida
Patient voices

What patients say when they finally feel like themselves.

Professionalism and Talent.

"Thank you so much, Doctor, for your professionalism and talent. You changed my life. The best hands, without a doubt."

A.F.
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Highly Recommend.

"Dr. Gerth, thank you for your incredible work. With each passing day, I love my results more and more. I would recommend you a thousand times — you and your team are the best."

A.P.
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Care, Comfort and Support.

"Dr. Gerth and the entire staff were so amazing. They truly care and will make you feel at ease. Dr. Gerth really listened to me and made sure I was comfortable at all times."

J.M.
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Simply perfect.

"He is incredibly detailed and patient. He took the time to explain every aspect of the procedure, addressing all my questions. His calm, confident demeanor immediately put me at ease."

Y.V.
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A Surgeon You Can Trust.

"I have had two experiences with Dr. David Gerth. For me, he is the best surgeon you can trust. He has excellent hands and an excellent ability to help make many women happy."

M.E.C.C.
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Join the patients who chose to stop waiting — and finally love what they see.
In-person & virtual available · No obligation
Recovery roadmap

What recovery actually looks like — week by week.

Recovery is a journey with a clear payoff — not a black box. Here's what to expect, and when. Dr. Gerth personally attends to every patient throughout.

Planning tip:

Winter is popular for scheduling — cooler weather, easy-to-explain downtime during the holidays, and a reveal in time for spring events. Patients targeting a specific event (reunion, milestone birthday, wedding) should plan surgery at least 3 months prior for optimal results. Ask about strategic scheduling during your consultation.

Days 1–7

Initial recovery
Rest, elevation, cold compresses. Bruising and swelling are present but well-managed. Pain is typically described as "uncomfortable, not unbearable." Most patients are surprised by how manageable this phase is. You go home the same day as surgery.

Week 2–3

Transition phase
Most bruising fades. Swelling begins to subside noticeably. Many patients start venturing out with light concealer. Sutures are removed. You can see the early shape of your result, though final definition is still emerging.

Week 4–6

Returning to life
Most patients return to work and social engagements, often with light makeup. The remaining swelling is subtle and mostly visible only to you. Remote workers and those with flexible schedules often return earlier.

Month 3–12

Final result emerges
The face continues to soften, settle, and refine. The full result is typically visible at 3–6 months. Incisions mature and fade to near-imperceptible over 12 months. This is when most patients get their favorite photos.
Common questions

The questions every patient actually asks.

This is the most common concern — and the most important distinction between a deep plane lift and older techniques. Because the deep plane repositions deeper structures without putting tension on the skin, there is no pulling or distortion of facial features. Expressions remain natural. Movement is preserved. The result is a more youthful version of your own face — not a stretched or altered one. Patients consistently report that people comment they look "rested" and "refreshed," not that they've "had work done.

Deep plane facelift is more technically demanding than skin-only or limited techniques — but in the hands of a surgeon with the right anatomical expertise, the risk profile is comparable or better, because there is no tension on the skin and blood supply to the skin flap is better preserved. Dr. Gerth's background in Head & Neck Surgery means he operates in this anatomy daily. He is trained to identify and protect every facial nerve and blood vessel during surgery.

Because the deep plane addresses structural tissues rather than just skin, results are significantly more durable. Most patients experience 10–15 years of improvement, depending on age at surgery, genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle. Aging continues naturally after surgery — you'll simply age from a more youthful baseline. Many patients also find they need significantly fewer or no injectables afterward.

Dr. Gerth evaluates candidates based on anatomy, not age. Patients in their mid-40s with significant jowling and neck laxity can be excellent candidates — and results in younger patients often age the most gracefully. Patients in their 60s and 70s can also achieve beautiful, natural results. Health history, skin quality, and structural changes are all part of the assessment made during your personal consultation.

Incisions are carefully placed within the natural creases around the ear. Because closure is tension-free, healing is typically excellent and scars are nearly imperceptible at 12 months — even with short hair. Dr. Gerth discusses incision placement in detail during consultation for patients with specific concerns about hairline, beard, or hair density.

Many patients are back at work — especially desk jobs and remote work — within 2–3 weeks. For public-facing or high-visibility roles, most patients plan for 3–4 weeks. Strategic scheduling (pre-holiday, winter break, long weekends with vacation time) makes recovery very manageable. Dr. Gerth provides a detailed recovery plan so you can plan your schedule precisely around the procedure.

This is an important question and one Dr. Gerth addresses directly during consultation. Significant filler accumulation can affect tissue planes and the quality of the result. In some cases, dissolving filler before surgery produces a better outcome. Dr. Gerth will review your filler history and make a specific recommendation. This is one reason why the consultation — especially in-person — is so valuable.

Dr. Gerth has experience with revision surgery for patients who had previous facelifts — whether results were short-lived, asymmetrical, or looked too tight. Revision deep plane facelift is more complex, but absolutely achievable. Patients who felt they chose the wrong technique or the wrong surgeon the first time are welcome to schedule a consultation for an honest assessment of what's possible.
Your next step

The only thing left to do is start the conversation.

A consultation with Dr. Gerth is a no-pressure conversation about your goals, your anatomy, and what's realistically possible. You'll leave with a clear picture — whether that's a personalized surgical plan, a timeline recommendation, or simply more information to make the right decision for yourself. In-person and virtual consultations available.
Dr. Gerth in consultation

Location

Dr. David Gerth
2903 Salzedo St
Coral Gables, FL 33134

© 2026 Dr. David Gerth All Rights Reserved.

*Some images may be models.
** Before and After Photos - individual results may vary.

Individual results may vary. Before and after photos represent actual patients; outcomes depend on individual anatomy, age, health, and other factors. Surgery involves risks; a thorough medical evaluation will be performed prior to any procedure. This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Dr. David Gerth, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon licensed in Florida.

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