What is a Neck Lift?
As we age, the youthful contours of our face change due to gravity, genetics, stress, and environmental conditions. A neck lift is a surgical procedure that aims to improve visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck.
A neck lift can treat the following:
- Excess fatty deposits under the chin
- Fatty areas and saggy skin in the lower face that creates jowls
- Loose skin on the neck
- Platysma muscle banding in the neck
PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEONS
Our mission at Tucson Plastic Surgery is to provide you with an unparalleled experience by taking time to listen and understand your individual needs and concerns. We believe creating a custom-tailored plan based on your goals and unique anatomy is essential to achieving your best possible results.
learn more
Am I a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?
Adults who wish to have a sleeker neck with a more distinct jawline can benefit from a neck lift. Ideal candidates are in good general health, non smokers with a realistic expectations. The best way to determine if a neck lift is right for you is through a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons.
Neck Lift Procedure
There are two main neck lift techniques that can be used depending on the amount of change that you would like to see. These include a traditional neck lift incision or a limited incision neck lift.
Traditional Neck Lift Incision
This incision begins in the hairline near the sideburn, and continues down around the ear, and ends in the lower hairline. Through this incision, your plastic surgeon will redistribute or sculpt fat from the jowls and neck. Skin is placed over the new contours and excess skin is trimmed away. Another incision may be created under the chin for liposuction and repair of the muscle.
Limited Incision Neck Lift
This technique may involve incisions created only around the ear. However, because the incisions are shorter, the results may be more limited than those of a traditional neck lift.
After having one successful surgery by another doctor and a second doctor that almost took my life, I had mixed emotions. Do your homework, get actual surgery recommendations from those you trust and their results. Dr. Mahabir is MY doc. He is fabulous in every respect.”
Neck Lift Recovery
Following a neck lift, bruising and a feeling of tightness in the neck is to be expected and should resolve over time. In some cases, a drain may be placed to help drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect underneath the skin. To minimize swelling, it is best to keep your head elevated above your heart. Do not apply ice directly to the neck, as this may compromise blood flow, resulting in skin death. It is important that you follow the instructions provided by your plastic surgeon in order to properly care for your surgery site during recovery.
As your swelling begins to subside you will be able to see your neck lift results. This may take several weeks to months, so be patient. It is important to use sun protection and live a healthy lifestyle in order to extend your results for a rejuvenated appearance for years to come.
To learn more about the neck lift procedure and how it can help you turn back the clock, contact Tucson Plastic Surgery today. We will help you schedule your consultation with one of our plastic surgeons.
Necklift FAQs
How do I prepare for a neck lift?
To prepare for a Facelift here are the dos and don’ts. Do use medical-grade skin care for healthy skin. Do not use any tobacco or nicotine products or take aspirin, drugs, supplements that increase the risk of bleeding.
How do I tighten my jawline?
It is important to individualize any facial treatment and the jawline is no exception. For some, botoxing the masseter (the chewing muscle) will reduce bulk and smooth the jawline. For others, adding fat or fillers may be enough to strengthen the jawline and improve the appearance. And then for those with a little more looseness, a facelift / necklift may be the ideal treatment.
How long does it take to recover from a neck lift?
Recovery from a necklift is surprisingly quick. The same day you will be up and walking with only slight discomfort. You can normally be back to work in two weeks and you can be back to activities without people noticing much by 2-3 weeks. We ask you have to refrain from vigorous physical activity for about 4 weeks after surgery.
How much does a facelift and neck lift cost?
Rejuvenation of the face and neck can address: texture, improving fine lines or pigmentation issues of the skin, volume, restoring volume (most commonly with your own fat) and laxity, tightening the loose skin. Prices vary depending on what and how much we are addressing and range between $16,000 and $20,000. Our prices are all inclusive: the consult, all pre-operative visits, the surgery, anesthesia and surgery center, as well as all post-operative visits and garments. Please call us or click here to contact us regarding a private consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We pride ourselves on a patient-centric approach to serving you and look forward to meeting you soon.
What is a lunchtime facelift?
The term lunchtime facelift/lift has been used to describe several different procedures including thread lift, mini-facelift, non-surgical skin tightening, liquid facelift … Essentially, the idea is that you can have a less invasive procedure with minimal downtime. Like so many marketing gimmicks, it overpromises and underdelivers. For someone with minimal facial laxity and minor concerns, it may achieve the desired results. However, if you have skin laxity, volume loss or wrinkles of any significance, then a less invasive procedure is likely to result in a less than satisfactory result.
What is a neck lift?
There are two components of the neck that can contribute to neck aging. Skin laxity or wrinkles and the underlying muscle changes with time. A rhytid is the medical term for a wrinkle and ectomy means to remove. So rhytidectomy is literally removing wrinkles in the neck by removing the extra skin. Another term for a neck lift is platysmaplasty. The platysma is the most superficial muscle of the neck and contributes to vertical bands. plasty means to repair. So a platysmaplasty repairs and tightens the muscle resulting in a more defined, sharper neckline.
What is a non surgical neck lift?
There are several options for a non-surgical necklift. The two best options are the thread lift and Ultherapy. The thread lift uses barbed sutures to tighten the skin of the neck and jawline while Ultherapy uses ultrasound to tighten the skin from the inside. Both options work well. In younger patients, that have early, mild laxity of the skin it serves as a preventative measure. In the less young patients, they are best used to maintain the result of a surgical facelift over time (every 2-3 years).
What is mini neck lift?
While a mini neck lift can still make you look younger, it involves much shorter incisions and less skin is removed. Therefore, the effects of a mini necklift are not as dramatic and are only recommended for people with mild sagging of the skin with good skin elasticity. Typically, these are young patients under 40 as they will benefit more from a mini lift. The recovery time is less than a full necklift with most people recovering in just a few days.
How much does neck contouring cost?
Rejuvenation of the neck can address: texture - improving fine lines or pigmentation issues of the skin and laxity, tightening the loose skin or muscles. Prices vary depending on what and how much we are addressing and range between $9,000 and $12,000. Our prices are all inclusive: the consult, all pre-operative visits, the surgery, anesthesia and surgery center, as well as all post-operative visits and garments. Please call us or click here to contact us regarding a private consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We pride ourselves on a patient-centric approach to serving you and look forward to meeting you soon.
How much does Neck Lift Cost?
Rejuvenation of the neck can address: texture - improving fine lines or pigmentation issues of the skin and laxity – tightening the loose skin or muscles. Prices vary depending on what and how much we are addressing and range between $9,000 and $12,000. Our prices are all inclusive: the consult, all pre-operative visits, the surgery, anesthesia and surgery center, as well as all post-operative visits and garments. Please call us or click here to contact us regarding a private consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We pride ourselves on a patient-centric approach to serving you and look forward to meeting you soon.
Is Neck lift surgery dangerous?
Neck lift surgery is a common cosmetic surgery (breast augmentation is #1) in the US with over 50,000 people having it done every year. When neck lift surgery is performed: 1) by one of our board-certified plastic surgeons with both training and experience in the procedure 2) on the proper patient (not everyone is a candidate for neck left) and 3) in a safe surgical environment like our state certified North Scottsdale Outpatient Surgery Center, the risks of anesthesia and and of surgical complications are low.
What is a liquid facelift?
A liquid facelift uses a combination of injectables to rejuvenate the face without the need for invasive plastic surgery. The three signs of facial aging are skin texture changes, skin laxity with wrinkles and volume loss. It combines 1) Botox to minimize / prevent wrinkles, 3) fillers like Juvederm and Voluma to restore volume and 3) chemical peels / light or laser based therapies like Clear and Brilliant or BBL to address the signs of aging in the skin surface. The combination of these therapies will result in a more youthful rejuvenated version of yourself that is beautiful, natural and balanced. It works best on younger patients.
What is the best treatment for saggy neck?
The best treatment for a saggy neck is a neck lift with or without a face lift. There are two components of the neck that can contribute to sagging. Skin laxity and the underlying muscle changes with time. A rhytid is the medical term for a wrinkle and ectomy means to remove. So rhytidectomy is literally removing wrinkles in the neck by removing the extra skin. Another term for a neck lift is “platysmaplasty.” The platysma is the most superficial muscle of the neck and contributes to vertical bands. plasty means to repair. So a platysmaplasty repairs and tightens the muscle resulting in a more defined, sharper neckline.
Whats involved in a neck lift?
There are two components of the neck that can contribute to neck aging. Skin laxity or wrinkles and the underlying muscle changes with time. A rhytid is the medical term for a wrinkle and ectomy means to remove. So rhytidectomy is literally removing wrinkles in the neck by removing the extra skin. Another term for a neck lift is “platysmaplasty.” The platysma is the most superficial muscle of the neck and contributes to vertical bands. plasty means to repair. So a platysmaplasty repairs and tightens the muscle resulting in a more defined, sharper neckline.
