A subsurface safety valve is first provided. The safety valve generally comprises a tubular housing, an isolation sleeve disposed within an inner diameter of the tubular housing, with the isolation sleeve and the tubular body forming an annular area there between, a flow tube movably disposed along a portion of the annular area, and a flapper. The flapper is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position in response to longitudinal movement of the flow tube in order to open and close the valve. Preferably, the annular area is isolated from an inner diameter of the isolation sleeve in the open position. A method is also provided that allows for a cementing operation to be performed through an open safety valve.