Neck Lift
A neck lift may be performed as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination with a facelift. This procedure removes excess neck fat, tightens the underlying muscle of the neck (platysma) and eliminates extra skin. Together these maneuvers improve the overall contour of the neck and jawline, sharpen the neck angle, and create an overall more youthful and sculpted profile.
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The Benefits of a Neck Lift
Eliminates a “Turkey Neck”
Loose, sagging skin may appear anywhere within the neck, but is typically most pronounced under the chin. This “turkey neck” appearance is corrected by tightening and removing extra neck skin to reveal a smooth, wrinkle-free neck contour and restoring a well-defined angle below the chin as it blends into the neck
Defines Your Jawline
Over time, fat from the lower face may descend below the jawline. This sagging fat, or jowls, may obscure the jawline contour and cause loss of jawline definition. Removal and / or repositioning of this fat results in a more chiseled jawline. In select patients, sculpting of the salivary glands that have descended beneath the jaw may also be performed to improve the jawline contour.
Corrects Muscle Banding in the Neck
Vertical bands of the neck are caused by stretching of the large, sling-like neck muscle (platysma). During a neck lift, this stretched muscle is tightened to restore tone, eliminate neck bands, and sharpen the overall contour of the neck.
How do I know when I’m ready for a neck lift?
If you find yourself occasionally “correcting” the appearance of your neck in the mirror by pushing backwards on the skin of the neck, a neck lift may be the right option for you. Ideal neck lift candidates often demonstrate some or all of the following features:
- Pronounced jowls and or extra, “floppy” skin of the central neck (“turkey neck”)
- Loss of jawline definition and increased fullness of the neck
- Vertical bands under the chin
- Blunting of a previously well-defined angle below the chin as it blends into the neck
Types of Neck Lifts
Full Neck Lift
A complete neck lift uses the same incisions as a facelift, which are camouflaged in front of and behind the ears, as well as within the scalp. A small incision under the chin is also required. The platysma muscle is tightened (platysmaplasty), excess fat is repositioned and / or removed, and loose skin is eliminated. Salivary glands, if contributing to neck fullness may be sculpted or repositioned.
Limited-Incision Neck Lift
A limited-incision neck lift uses a shorter incision than a full facelift incision but offers the same correction as a full neck lift. This procedure, in general, is reserved for those patients with early and less severe aging of the neck.
Liposuction-Only Neck Lift
A Liposuction-only neck lift may, in general, be an option for patients less than 40 years old who have youthful skin with excellent elasticity. No skin or muscle is directly tightened, which makes this operation not a true “lift”. The improvement in the contour of the neck results from removal of excess fat and the limited tightening of the skin that results.
Q. What is the best option for me, a neck lift, or a non-surgical procedure?
A. Similar to the face, early signs of neck aging include fine wrinkles and skin blemishes. Early vertical bands may also appear. All of these features may be improved with non-surgical procedures including Botox, fillers to the jawline, and / or laser resurfacing. While these procedures may slow the appearance of neck aging, there will come a time when the degree of tissue sagging, fat accumulation, skin wrinkling and vertical neck bands can only be treated surgically. This determination, as well as all your surgical and non-surgical options will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation.
Q. Does a neck lift include a facelift?
A. No. Unlike a facelift, which almost always includes a neck lift, a neck lift by itself does not include a facelift. A neck lift requires individualized planning, and is, however, often accompanied by a facelift to achieve the most effective rejuvenation. Dr. Gougoutas will evaluate your entire face and neck during your consultation and develop a treatment plan that is specific to you and addresses all your areas of concern.
Q. What other procedures may be recommended at the time of a neck lift?
A. If a neck lift by itself will result in an unnatural disharmony between the neck and face, a facelift may be recommended at the time of a neck lift. This recommendation is generally reserved for those patients with aging of the face in addition to aging of the neck.
A genioplasty, or chin augmentation may be recommended depending on your anatomy. A “weak chin” may limit the improvement a neck lift offers. While not required for a neck lift, a genioplasty may greatly improve the results of a neck lift in select patients.
Q. What is recovery like?
A. In general, pain from a neck lift is limited and easily managed with oral medication. You should, however, arrange for someone to assist you for the first 24 to 48 hours of recovery. Swelling and bruising will be most prominent during the first week of recovery and will diminish thereafter. Depending on the specifics of your operation, swelling may take several weeks to a month to completely go away. Most patients can return to work within 1 to 2 weeks.
Q. When will I see the final results of my neck lift?
A. Most patients see significant results from their neck lift immediately although, like a facelift, subtle changes may continue to occur for up to a year after the procedure.