Over time, the delicate muscles and fragile skin of the neck and lower face can sag and lose definition. The result may be jowls along the jawline, a “turkey wattle” effect, a double chin or wrinkled skin on the neck. These concerns can age the rest of your appearance, even if your face and décolletage are still smooth and youthful. An aging neck can make you feel self-conscious, perhaps even causing you to avoid wearing short hairstyles, lower necklines or necklaces. If you are losing confidence in your appearance due to signs of aging on the neck, a neck lift may be able to restore the skin and musculature in the area to its former tone and tightness.

 

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What is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a plastic surgery designed specifically to restore a more youthful, slimmer and tighter look to the neck and the area under the chin. The procedure primarily focuses on correcting loose skin and muscles in the area that result in jowls, a “turkey wattle” or deep horizontal wrinkles at the jawline and along the neck. Your surgeon may also adjust or remove excess fat as necessary.

The procedure is usually performed using small incisions under the chin and behind the ears. Dr. Man will then insert a small endoscopic device through these incisions, allowing him to manipulate the neck muscles and address pockets of fat. Once the underlying muscles and fat are altered to create slimmer and more sculpted contours, Dr. Man will trim away excess skin along the incisions, pull the remaining skin taut and suture it in place. You will be kept comfortable using either general or local anesthesia for the duration of the procedure.

Benefits of a Neck Lift

A neck lift provides a highly effective and long-lasting solution for men and women who are unhappy with the appearance of their neck. Unlike home remedies such as anti-aging creams or “shapers,” a neck lift targets the real causes of your concerns, eliminates them in a single procedure and offers visible results within just a week or two after your surgery. A neck lift can take years off your appearance in a very subtle and natural way, restoring your confidence and boosting your energy and happiness. Benefits of a neck lift include:

  • Restores a youthful profile
  • Permanently eliminates excess skin and fat
  • Sculpts the jawline
  • Diminishes the appearance of a double chin
  • Corrects drooping muscles
  • Improves self-confidence

Is a Neck Lift Right for Me?

A neck lift is a highly specified procedure that focuses solely on signs of aging on the neck. You are likely a candidate for a neck lift if you have excess skin around the jawline, under the chin and around the neck that makes the area look wrinkled, drooping or heavy. This procedure can also eliminate excess skin and fat, slim the throat line, restore definition to the jawline and give your entire lower face, neck and upper chest area a more youthful appearance. For the right patient, the results of a neck lift can make a dramatic difference in their confidence and looks while appearing beautifully natural.

A neck lift can be appropriate for patients of many different ages and skin types. You should be in good overall health, a non-smoker and able to accept the risks and limitations of cosmetic surgeries. Dr. Man works closely with each patient to ensure that their medical history does not include anything that might endanger their safety and to fully inform them of what to expect from the procedure and their recovery.

Dr. Man also evaluates each patient’s concerns to determine that a neck lift is the best procedure for their aesthetic goals. In some cases, a different procedure may be a better fit. For example, patients whose main concern is submental fullness – fat below the chin – may not need a full neck lift, as procedures like liposuction or Kybella offer less invasive options that can target fat. Other patients may require a facelift or a combined face and neck lift if their concerns extend above the jawline. The best way to know whether a neck lift is right for you is to contact us and schedule your in-person consultation with Dr. Man at our comfortable offices in Boca Raton, FL.

How Involved is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a delicate and detail-oriented surgery. It should only be performed by a highly experienced surgeon to ensure your safety and best results. Dr. Man specializes in cosmetic surgeries of the face, neck and body and regularly performs neck lifts with excellent outcomes.

Neck lift surgery is typically performed using general anesthesia, although local anesthesia and IV sedation are sometimes used. Most neck lift procedures will take two to four hours, depending on the patient’s unique surgical plan. A neck lift is most often an outpatient procedure, meaning patients can return home the same day as their surgery. Dr. Man also offers patients the opportunity to stay overnight at our comfortable surgical center if they would prefer to be professionally monitored for the first 24 hours.

The neck lift procedure involves tightening the platysma muscles — the vertical muscles that extend from the jaw to the collarbone — and sewing them together to create a sling under the chin that is tight and smooth. This is done through incisions under the chin and behind the ears. Excess skin and fat are carefully removed in appropriate areas; the tissue and skin are repositioned and held into place with absorbable sutures. After the incisions are closed, surgical drains may be placed before the wounds are bandaged. Scarring is minimized as much as possible with incisions hidden in the natural folds of skin around the ears and chin.

Preparing for a Neck Lift

All patients will first meet with Dr. Man in person at our offices in Boca Raton, FL for a consultation. During this appointment, Dr. Man will evaluate your concerns and work with you to create a customized surgical plan. Based on the nuances of your surgery, Dr. Man will also provide thorough preoperative instructions and answer any questions you may have. You may be asked to:

  • Provide contact information for your primary care physician
  • Stop smoking six weeks before your surgery
  • Stop taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin, Aleve) and vitamins/homeopathic regimens
  • Start hydrating several days before the surgery
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for the first 24-48 hours

After a Neck Lift

Once your procedure is complete, you will be taken to a monitored recovery room to rest until you are awake from your anesthesia. You will have a surgical dressing to support and protect the neck and may be given a compression garment to keep the neck area in place during healing. Both the dressing and compression garment should only be removed as directed by Dr. Man.

You will need to be picked up and transported home by someone who will be staying with you for the first day or two after your surgery. This person is given detailed instructions about post-op care, including information about drains, if they have been placed; normal symptoms you may experience; and potential signs of complications or when to contact our offices. Some patients prefer to spend the first night at our surgical center instead of beginning their recovery at home. Our nurses are all ACLS certified, and our state-of-the-art facility has specialized recovery options such as chest wall cooling methods to reduce pain and swelling, a hyperbaric chamber and oxygen treatments to speed healing.

How is the Recovery from a Neck Lift

Dr. Man will supply each patient with detailed instructions for their recovery process. It is essential that these instructions are followed closely to ensure successful healing and a smooth recovery. These instructions will include information about keeping dressings clean, showering or bathing, pain and discomfort management, follow-up appointments and essential contact information.

Patients should expect mild discomfort for the first several days — this can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen. If pain becomes severe, call us immediately. You may experience swelling or bruising that will fade in the days following your procedure. We recommend that patients sleep with their heads elevated for at least a week following surgery to prevent further swelling. It is also common for patients to experience tightness or numbness in the neck area for a few weeks following the procedure.

Patients usually schedule follow-up visits three to five days following surgery and again at two weeks so that the healing process can be evaluated and stitches removed. Following the two-week post-surgery visit, patients schedule additional follow-up appointments approximately four weeks and three months post-surgery. It is essential to maintain consistent follow-up care and check for any complications.

Most neck lift patients return to their usual daily activities within two weeks after their procedure. Strenuous athletic activities or heavy lifting should be avoided for at least one month post-op. These timelines may change depending on your surgical plan and whether you chose to combine your neck lift with other procedures.

How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?

The cost of neck lift surgery varies with each patient depending on the extent of the neck lift and whether it is combined with other procedures. During a consultation, Dr. Man goes over the costs of the procedure, in addition to the financing and payment options.

What Do I Do Next?

Your first step in pursuing a neck lift is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Man at our offices in Boca Raton, FL. This in-person meeting will help you and Dr. Man determine if a neck lift is the best procedure for you at this time, and will allow you to take the next steps of scheduling your surgery if appropriate. Neck lift procedures with Daniel Man, M.D., offer individuals in Boca Raton and the surrounding areas a slimmer, youthful and more defined neck area. Please contact us to set up your consultation today.

*The information about the neck lift procedure was reviewed by Dr. Daniel Man. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.