As interest in advanced facial rejuvenation procedures continues to rise, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Benjamin C. Stong has refined his deep plane facelift technique to further enhance neck contour and jawline definition. The updated approach incorporates comprehensive platysma release and a “bucket handle” platysmaplasty designed to provide more structural support to the lower face and neck.
Dr. Stong, founder of Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, said the enhancement centers on complete lateral release and elevation of the platysma muscle — a thin sheet of muscle extending across the neck — rather than focusing solely on tightening it along the midline, as is common in traditional facelift procedures.
During the practice’s KalosLift™ advanced deep plane facelift, the platysma muscle is mobilized, fully released from deeper cervical structures, and resuspended in what surgeons describe as a bucket handle or cantilever configuration. This repositioning allows the muscle to function as an internal support system, helping reinforce the jawline and improve overall neck contour.
“Complete and controlled release of the platysma muscle is essential to achieving improved neck contour and jawline definition,” Dr. Stong said. “By comprehensively elevating and resuspending the muscle rather than simply tightening it at the center, we can better restore structural balance to the lower face and neck.”
According to Dr. Stong, the technique may reduce the need for submandibular gland excision in appropriately selected patients. By elevating ptotic, or sagging, gland tissue through muscle repositioning, surgeons can potentially avoid complications associated with gland removal, including sialocele formation or nerve injury.
Deep plane facelift outcomes are widely understood to depend on surgical precision, anatomical expertise, and individualized planning. Variations in ligament release, muscle elevation, vector control, and platysma management can significantly influence long-term contour stability and jawline definition. Dr. Stong said the refinements reflect ongoing clinical experience and academic involvement in facelift research.
The bucket handle platysmaplasty is performed alongside deep plane midface elevation, which targets rejuvenation of the lower eyelid-cheek junction. Together, the combined approach addresses aging changes across the upper cheek, jawline, and neck. As with all surgical procedures, patient candidacy and results vary depending on anatomy, tissue quality, and healing characteristics.
Dr. Stong specializes exclusively in surgery of the face, head, and neck and performs hundreds of deep plane facelift procedures each year at his Quad A–accredited private surgical facility in Atlanta. Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery serves both domestic and international patients seeking advanced facial rejuvenation procedures.
The practice operates as a dedicated facial surgery center and maintains a Quad A–accredited surgical suite that meets national safety standards. Located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the facility offers scheduling coordination for out-of-state and international patients.
