Neck Lift

Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX and Westlake Hills, TX

Neck Lift austin plastic surgeon

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the neck by tightening sagging skin, reducing unwanted fullness, and addressing muscle bands. It is one of the most effective procedures for removing excess fat and skin from your neck for a smoother, more youthful appearance. Aging, stress, sun exposure, and pollution can change your skin’s tone, texture, and elasticity, especially the delicate skin of the neck. When the natural collagen production in your body decreases, you may begin to see sagging skin and fine lines emerge that alter your appearance.

Before and After Photos

Facelift Before & After Patient #9519
Facelift Before & After Patient #9519
Neck Lift Before & After Patient #5107
Neck Lift Before & After Patient #5107
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The Austin Plastic Surgeon team has transformed patients’ skin with neck lift procedures and restorative med spa treatments that help you minimize signs of aging, rejuvenate your neck silhouette, and enhance your jawline. If you are considering a surgical neck lift to restore your skin, and jawline to rejuvenate the appearance of your neck, the surgeons at Austin Plastic Surgeon have combined decades of experience in helping patients achieve their dream contours. Contact us online or call to schedule an appointment.

About Neck Lifts

Excess skin in the neck area is one of the biggest concerns that we see in patients and this can come from age, weight loss, and collagen loss. Collagen decreases in the skin with aging which can cause it to sag, and wrinkles begin to form. Collagen is a protein that helps your skin maintain its structure and rebuild itself. Although oral supplements and topical collagen can delay aging, once severe wrinkles have formed they can be difficult to reverse without surgical intervention. (1) Wrinkles and fine lines along the neck can affect your self-esteem, especially when sagging skin changes your overall facial appearance. Frequently combined with a facelift, a neck lift helps you achieve smoother skin if you are experiencing moderate to severe skin sagging. A neck lift can also enhance jawline contours. If you find yourself trying to hide your neck with higher collars or scarves, a neck lift may be the solution for you.

Benefits of a Neck Lift

The benefits of a neck lift include:

  • Improved overall appearance: It contributes to a younger, slimmer look.
  • Reduction of “turkey neck” and neck banding: These common signs of aging can be dramatically reduced or eliminated.
  • Enhanced definition of the jawline: The procedure can create a more well-defined jawline, improving facial contours.
  • Reduced laxity and wrinkles: Sagging neck skin and wrinkles can be substantially improved or eradicated.
  • Correction of double chin: Excess fat can be removed, resulting in a more sculpted and youthful neck profile.
  • Longer, more elegant neck: The surgery can provide a lengthening effect, enhancing the proportion of the neck.
  • Discreet incisions: Incisions are carefully placed behind the ear or under the chin to minimize visible scarring.

Neck Lift Candidates

Individuals who may benefit most from a neck lift are those bothered by sagging skin, wrinkles, excess fat, and muscle banding in the neck area. Ideal candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure. Age is not a limiting factor as long as the patient is healthy enough to undergo surgery.

Neck Lift Consultation

During your consultation, we will discuss your goals and expectations to determine if a neck lift will help you achieve your body goals. Please come prepared to discuss your current medications, medical history, allergies, and lifestyle. We will outline a surgical plan based on your needs and can discuss corresponding procedures such as our popular combined face and neck lift.

How to Prepare for a Neck Lift

To prepare for a neck lift, you will need to stop taking blood thinners for 2 weeks. You will also need to stop smoking 6 weeks before and after the procedure. It’s necessary to arrange for a reliable adult to take you home after the surgery because you will not be able to drive. Many patients choose to prepare meals ahead of time to prevent trips to the store while they are recovering. You will also need to take time away from work while your incisions heal.

Neck Lift Procedure

Neck Lift austin plastic surgeon

During a neck lift, specific techniques vary depending on the patient’s needs and desired outcome. Your Austin Plastic Surgeon will explain the details of your treatment plan. Most neck lifts are performed with facelifts which are discussed on another page. Some patients, usually younger patients, are candidates for a neck lift on its own. Whether performed with or without a facelift, the components of a neck lift that may be used, including the following in a variety of combinations:

  • Submental Incision: This is an incision under and behind the chin. It is used to access the front part of the neck. Through this incision, fat can be removed and the front part of the platysma muscle tightened.
  • Postauricular and posterior scalp incisions: These incisions can be used to tighten the outer/back part of the platysma to further enhance neck angles. These are the incisions that are used to remove excess and loose skin.
  • Platysmaplasty: This term refers to the tightening of the platysma when performed from the submental incision and may be combined with deep plane procedures of the neck.
  • Deep plane procedures: These are advanced procedures used when significant neck contouring is required. They involve working with the tissues beneath the platysma. Subplatysmal fat, the anterior portion of a muscle called the digastric, and the submandibular glands can become enlarged. These structures can be sculpted and reduced to improve neck contours. The platysma is then redraped and tightened over the new neck architecture.
  • Preplastysma fat sculpting: This involves careful excision of fat under the skin and on top of the platysma muscle to change the contours of the neck
  • Neck liposuction: This involves liposuction of fat beneath the skin and above the platysma and is done as an alternative to direct fat sculpting.
  • Adjustment and reinforcement of the platysma muscle: Excess skin will be carefully redraped and removed.

Neck Lift Recovery

Following your neck lift surgery, we will bandage the area and apply supportive dressings, which will help manage swelling. Drains are often required for several days to prevent the collection of fluid under the skin. Swelling and bruising around the treated area are normal during the initial postoperative period. We recommend keeping your head elevated above heart level when resting to minimize swelling. You will be able to manage discomfort with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. Avoid applying ice to the area, as it may disrupt blood flow.

Attend follow-up appointments as scheduled at Austin Plastic Surgeon to monitor your healing progress. Most patients can resume work after two weeks unless their job involves strenuous physical activity. It is important to avoid rigorous activities until instructed otherwise for several weeks following the surgery.

Neck Lift Results

After a neck lift, you will have a smooth, contoured neck with long-lasting results. The procedure reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin to help you look years younger and feel more comfortable in your body. You will be left with a naturally smoother neck for a younger look.

Corresponding Procedures

If you are considering a neck lift, we offer several other procedures to help you meet your goals. Participating in one of our membership programs will help you maintain your results. These are very important additions to protect the larger surgical investment.

Combined Facelift (Rhytidectomy) and Neck Lift

If you are experiencing wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin in the face and neck we can eliminate it in one appointment with our combined facelift and neck lift procedure. If you have experienced changes to your skin from aging, we can restore your figure with this procedure. Neck lifts often accompany facelifts and are the second most popular form of rhytidectomy. (2)

Brow Lift

A brow lift is a procedure that repositions the skin on your forehead to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin. During the procedure, small incisions will be made within the scalp to allow elevation of the brows and redraping of excess skin. The result is a smoother, younger-looking forehead that can take years off your appearance. To learn more about our anti-aging procedures, see the blog.

Chin Augmentation

A chin augmentation is a procedure that contours the chin with implants. The implants provide definition and we can combine this procedure with a neck lift to improve the definition of your jawline. During a chin augmentation, we will make a discrete incision inside your mouth to lift the skin and place the implant. During your consultation, we will discuss the best size and shape of the implant to help you achieve your desired look.

Cost of a Neck Lift in Austin

The cost of your procedure will depend on the severity of wrinkling and sagging in the treatment area and whether or not you need additional procedures to achieve your goals. If you need additional procedures, we will provide an all-inclusive quote. Please visit the Austin Plastic Surgeon pricing page for estimates or contact our office to schedule a consultation to discuss financing.

FAQ

Does a neck lift help with jowls?

A neck lift primarily focuses on the lower neck area, while jowls pertain to loose skin and fatty deposits around the jawline. While a neck lift may improve the appearance of jowls to some extent, patients with significant jowling may benefit from combining a neck lift with a facelift to achieve more comprehensive results.

What are some alternatives to a neck lift?

Cosmetic injections like Botox and fillers may offer temporary results for some individuals. However, the effects are not long-lasting, and annual maintenance sessions are often required. Neck lifts provide longer-lasting results without the need for frequent treatments. Myelevate is an alternative in some patients.

Does a neck lift fix a double chin?

Yes, a neck lift can address a double chin by removing excess fat. Patients can expect a slimmer and more defined jawline after a successful procedure.

What is the best age for a neck lift?

Age alone is not the determining factor for a neck lift. As long as you are in good health and bothered by loose folds of skin in the neck area, you may be a suitable candidate. Most patients seeking a neck lift typically fall within the age range of 35-65.

References

  1. —. “Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: A Paradigm Shift in the Field of Dermatology and Cosmetics.” Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, vol. 12, no. 1, 2 Feb. 2022, p. e2022018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824545/, https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.1201a18.
  2. Wei, Boxuan, et al. “Advances in Face-Lift Surgical Techniques: 2016–2021.” Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 26 July 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-022-03017-z. Accessed 26 Apr. 2023.