Face · Neck · Eyes · Brows · Lips · Vancouver
Facial rejuvenation, planned around you.
Some people need a facelift and neck lift, some only their eyelids, brows or a lip lift, and many look most like themselves with a combination. Dr. Thomas Buonassisi has over 25 years of experience in facial plastic surgery, in a practice limited to facial plastic surgeries.
Either way, you start with a complimentary call with a patient care manager.
Get the Essential Guide to Facial Rejuvenation
Whether you're thinking about your face, neck, eyes, brows or lips, it answers the questions most people have before a consultation. Free.
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Face, neck, eyes, brows and lips
Where does it start for you?
Dr. Buonassisi looks at your whole face first, then recommends only what will help. Some people treat one area. Many combine two, planned together.
Face and neck
Facelift and neck lift
For a softer jawline, jowls, sagging cheeks and loose skin on the neck. Deep plane facelift is the technique he specialises in.
The deep plane, explainedEyes and brows
Eyelids and brow lift
For heavy upper lids, under-eye bags, or a brow that has moved lower. The first question is where the change starts.
Lid, brow or bothLips
Lip lift
For an upper lip that sits lower with age and shows less. Dr. Buonassisi's deep plane lip lift goes beyond removing skin: the deeper layer carries the lift, and the lip muscle and the shape of the nostrils are preserved.
The lip lift, explainedBoth
One plan for the whole face
Lifting the face can lift the outer brow too, so the lids may need less. Planning the areas together keeps the result in balance.
Talk it through with usYour surgeon
The face is his only focus.
For over 25 years, Dr. Thomas Buonassisi's entire surgical practice has been the face, head and neck, including facelift, neck lift, eyelid and brow surgery.
Deep plane facelift is the technique he specialises in: a composite flap, ligament releases and preservation of the natural attachments between the layers of your face. He plans every facelift from what your anatomy can realistically support. There is no template. The guide explains each step.
The deep plane lies beneath the SMAS, close to the branches of the facial nerve that move your expressions, so this technique depends on a detailed knowledge of facial anatomy. That anatomy is the focus of Dr. Buonassisi's specialty, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, and his practice is limited to facial plastic surgeries.
“We really want things to be repositioned more so than tightened.”
Dr. Buonassisi, in a facelift consultation
Credentials
- FRCSC, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
- Board Certified, American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS)
- Board Certified, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)
- Fellow, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS)
Beneath the skin
The deep plane
The work happens beneath the SMAS, the layer of muscle and connective tissue under the skin, within the deep fascial plane. The deeper tissues and fat pads are repositioned together with the skin, so the result does not rely on skin tension.
- Composite flap
- Ligament releases
- Preservation
Each one is explained in the guide.
Often planned together
The neck
A neck lift can include a deep cervical fascial release (DCFR), which frees the deeper neck tissues so they can be fully repositioned, and platysmaplasty to tighten the neck muscle. Where clinically indicated, submandibular gland reduction refines the neck further. These steps work deep in the neck, around the glands, nerves and blood vessels below the jaw: the anatomy at the core of his specialty.
Surgery day
Where and how
Performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation, at a private, accredited surgical facility in the Vancouver area.
More of Dr. Buonassisi's videos, and one patient's whole recovery on video, are in the guide.
Get the guideEyes and brows
Lid, brow or both.
Heavy lids, under-eye bags and a lower brow often appear together, and they're easy to confuse. The first question is where the change starts.
Upper eyelids
Upper blepharoplasty
Removes the extra skin that folds over the lid, through an incision in the natural crease. It can also help when heavy lids get in the way of your vision.
Lower eyelids
Lower blepharoplasty
Treats under-eye bags by removing or repositioning fat, often through an incision inside the lid, with a conservative approach.
Brows
Brow lift
Repositions a brow that has moved lower. Several approaches are possible, and Dr. Buonassisi chooses from your anatomy and goals. Often combined with upper eyelid surgery.
Recovery from eyelid surgery or a brow lift is typically one to two weeks.
Nikki, in her own words · 0:59
Nikki's story
More awake, still herself.
Nikki had an upper blepharoplasty and a direct brow lift with Dr. Buonassisi. Heavy upper lids and a lower brow made her look tired, even after a good night's sleep.
“I'm beyond happy with the results. I still feel like I look like myself, but I just look more awake and my eyes are brighter.”
Nikki, after her upper blepharoplasty and brow lift
Lips
Lip lift: shape, not volume.
With time, the space between the nose and the upper lip can lengthen, so less of the upper lip shows. A lip lift shortens that space. Filler adds volume; a lip lift changes where the lip sits.
The technique
More than removing skin
The deep plane lip lift is a technique Dr. Buonassisi specialises in. A narrow strip of skin is removed under the nose in a bullhorn shape, but the lift is carried by the deeper layer, secured at the base of the nose. The lip muscle, the nostril sill and the shape of the lip are preserved, and the skin closes without tension.
The incision
In the natural crease
It follows the crease where the nose meets the lip, curving around the base of each nostril. That is how the scar is kept discreet.
Recovery
About a week
About an hour, under local anaesthetic. Most people take about a week off, and the lip settles over a couple of months. The result is permanent and subtle.
The bullhorn design, front view. The shaded strip under the nose is removed; the incisions (dashed) follow the natural crease where the nose meets the lip.
Before and after
Before and after, with Dr. Buonassisi.
This is a small sample. We have hundreds of before-and-after examples from patients who have given their consent, and at your consultation Dr. Buonassisi will show you examples from patients whose changes and anatomy are similar to yours.
One patient's facelift, before and after · 0:47
Both patients shared their photos with consent. More views of each are in the guide. Nikki's eyelid and brow result is further up this page.
Every patient is unique and treatment results vary.
Meet our team
Real people from 8 West. Jenn, one of our registered nurses, had her deep plane facelift with Dr. Buonassisi and let us film her recovery, from her first consultation to summer pool days with her patient care manager (right). Her whole story is in the guide.
“The recovery has definitely been a lot easier than I expected.”
Jenn, eight days after her deep plane face and neck lift
The Essential Guide to Facial Rejuvenation
What you'll find inside.
- 01
Jenn's recovery, week by week
Follow her facelift from the first consultation to her result, with a short video at each stage, plus what to expect at each point in your own recovery.
- 02
More before-and-after photos
Facelift, neck lift, eyelid, brow and lip lift cases with Dr. Buonassisi.
- 03
The deep plane and the neck, explained
What happens beneath the skin, how the neck is planned, and drawings of where the incisions go.
- 04
Eyes and brows
Upper eyelids, the two ways into the lower lid, brow lift approaches and where each incision sits, with Nikki's story and all three views of her result.
- 05
The lip lift
How Dr. Buonassisi's deep plane lip lift works, what it preserves, where the incision goes, and three patients' results.
- 06
Your own fat, and other treatments
Micro and nano fat, Sculptra, regenerative aesthetic treatments and skin care at 8 West Clinic.
- 07
Your consultation
What happens, how to prepare, and questions worth asking.
- 08
More than 40 short videos, and your questions answered
Dr. Buonassisi on the face, neck, eyelids, brows and lips, Jenn's recovery from consultation to result, and answers to common questions.
How it works
From first question to recovery.
Most people start with a conversation. There's no obligation at any step.
- 01
Contact us
Answer a few short questions, right here on the page, or call us at 604-733-1669.
- 02
A complimentary call with a patient care manager
Complimentary, by phone. Our patient care managers work with facelift patients every day and can answer your questions about recovery, timing and pricing.
- 03
A consultation with Dr. Buonassisi
If you decide to go ahead, you book a consultation with Dr. Buonassisi. He assesses your anatomy, explains what is realistic for you and builds your plan. There is a fee for this consultation; your patient care manager confirms it when you book.
- 04
Surgery and recovery
Dr. Buonassisi performs your surgery and explains what to expect as you recover.
Patient reviews
What patients say about 8 West.
Reviews across both locations, for surgical and non-surgical care.
- RateMDsDr. Buonassisi★★★★★ 4.8520+ reviews
- RealSelfDr. Buonassisi★★★★★ 4.7231 reviews
- RealSelf8 West Clinic★★★★★ 4.8365 reviews
- Google8 West Clinic Vancouver★★★★★ 4.8554 reviews
- Google8 West Clinic North Van★★★★★ 4.870 reviews
Talk to our team
Thinking about your face, eyes, brows or lips? Start with a conversation.
Tell us a little about you and a patient care manager will call you for a complimentary conversation.
Want the guide too? Tick the box on the form and we'll email it to you.
Prefer to talk now?
604-733-1669Call and a patient care manager can answer your questions. Strictly confidential. Please don't include medical details.
Request a complimentary call
A patient care manager will call you within 1–2 business days. Strictly confidential.
Questions
Your questions, answered plainly.
What happens after I contact you?+
A patient care manager calls you for a complimentary conversation by phone. They answer your questions about recovery, timing and pricing. If you'd like to go ahead, they book your consultation with Dr. Buonassisi.
Is there a cost?+
The call with a patient care manager is complimentary. There is a fee for the consultation with Dr. Buonassisi; your patient care manager confirms it when you book.
Should I treat my eyes, my face, or both?+
It depends on where the change starts. Heavy lids can come from the lid itself, from a lower brow, or both, and lifting the face can lift the outer brow too. Dr. Buonassisi looks at your whole face and recommends only what will help. Some people treat one area; many plan two together.
How long is recovery from eyelid surgery or a brow lift?+
Typically one to two weeks, with bruising and swelling settling gradually. Your patient care manager walks you through each stage.
How long is facelift recovery?+
Most patients feel ready to be seen socially after about two weeks. Swelling continues to settle for several months, and the final result shows at three to six months. The guide walks through recovery week by week. Results vary.
Will people be able to tell I've had surgery?+
The goal is a refreshed, natural result that still looks like you. Your plan is designed to work with your anatomy, and Dr. Buonassisi will talk through what is realistic at your consultation. Results vary.
What anaesthesia is used, and where is surgery done?+
Facelifts are performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation, at a private, accredited surgical facility in the Vancouver area.
Where are the incisions?+
At the hairline, along the natural curve of the ear and just in front of the small flap at the front of it, then behind the earlobe and into the hairline. When there isn't much volume under the chin, the neck can often be tightened from behind the ears, with no incision under the chin. The guide shows one patient's incisions at one week.
What is a deep plane lip lift, and where is the scar?+
A lip lift shortens the space between the nose and the upper lip. In Dr. Buonassisi's deep plane lip lift, a narrow strip of skin is removed under the nose, but the deeper layer carries the lift and is secured at the base of the nose, while the lip muscle and the shape of the nostrils are preserved. The skin closes without tension. The incision follows the natural crease where the nose meets the lip. Like any incision it leaves a scar; placing it in that crease is how it is kept discreet. Results vary.
Can I combine a facelift with other procedures?+
Yes. A neck lift is often planned with a facelift, and some patients add eyelid or brow surgery, a lip lift, or treatments that use their own fat. Whether a combination suits you is discussed at your consultation.
How much does a facelift cost?+
All procedures at 8 West Clinic are performed on a private-pay basis. Your patient care manager can talk you through typical costs on your first call. Your exact cost depends on your plan and is confirmed after your consultation with Dr. Buonassisi.
Our other services
Also at 8 West Clinic.
8 West Clinic also offers treatments with your own fat, regenerative aesthetic treatments, skin care and health optimization. A patient care manager can tell you more about any of them.
Your own fat
Micro fat and nano fat
A small amount of your own fat is taken, refined and placed where it's needed.
Regenerative
Regenerative aesthetic treatments
For the skin, alongside medical microneedling or laser.
Skin
Skin and injectables
Medical-grade skin care, laser, injectables and Sculptra, a collagen biostimulator.
Health
Health optimization
DEXA body composition scans, VO2 max testing, hormone optimization and other health services.
The Essential Guide to Facial Rejuvenation
Start with the guide.
Recovery week by week, more before-and-after photos, and videos from Dr. Buonassisi. Sent to your inbox, free.
Or call 604-733-1669.
Results vary. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Book a consultation at 8west.ca to discuss your individual candidacy.