Other Associated Terms: Cervicoplasty, Platysmaplasty.
For those who have just had a facelift, you may have noticed that your skin appears mostly wrinkle-free, youthful and has the desired tautness that you originally sought. However, below your chin may be another story altogether. Signs of aging, for most, usually first appear at the neck area. Excess fat, loose and hanging skin of the neck can subsequently be addressed with a cosmetic neck-lift.
What are the Benefits of a Neck Lift?
A neck lift offers numerous benefits, enhancing both appearance and confidence by tightening sagging skin, reducing excess fat, and smoothing out wrinkles in the neck area.
It can also give the appearance of having lost weight through the removal of excess neck fat. Many patients find that a neck lift helps them look slimmer and more refreshed, often complementing other facial rejuvenation procedures.
A neck lift combined with other procedures (such as a chin augmentation and a facelift) will give you a facial makeover that can improve self-esteem and help individuals feel more confident in their overall appearance.
Neck Lift Procedure: What to Expect
A neck lift is usually performed by a plastic surgeon that is board-certified. The procedure can be done in the doctor’s surgical suite, outpatient medical center or a local hospital. The time frame of the surgery will depend on the actual procedure and can last from one to several hours.
Local or general anesthesia may be used and an overnight hospital stay may be involved (discuss this with your surgeon). Endoscopic procedures involve using a small instrument (endoscope camera) that aids the surgeon visually. The advantages of this type of surgery include shorter recovery times, the use of local anesthesia, limited bruising and smaller incisions. This option should also be discussed with your cosmetic surgeon.
It’s possible that your neck lift procedure may also require liposuction to reduce fat deposits. If this is the case, then the liposuction is usually done first. After the anesthetic takes effect, an initial incision is made underneath the chin and a cannula (small hollow tube) is inserted. The excess fat is removed by suction, once the cannula is used to break up fat deposits. Afterwards, the doctor will apply a bandage to address discomfort and swelling.
Cervicoplasty: Removing Excess Skin
For patients with significant loose or sagging skin, a cervicoplasty is performed. A cervicoplasty is designed to address excess skin located on the neck. After the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will make incisions underneath your chin and behind your ears (sometimes just one of those locations).
The skin will then be cut back, lifted and secured with permanent stitches or a special form of permanent glue. The surgeon will apply a bandage at the incision sites to address discomfort and swelling before applying an elastic bandage to the head and neck.
Platysmaplasty: Correcting Neck Banding
A platysmaplasty is designed to address prominent neck bands caused by aging muscles. After the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will make incisions in the same locations as in a cervicoplasty (underneath the chin, behind the ears or both). An instrument will then be inserted in order to realign a section of targeted neck muscles or to remove a portion of them.
This will serve to tighten the neck’s middle region. The muscles will be permanently sutured to remain in the desired position. The surgeon will apply a bandage at the incision sites to address discomfort and swelling before applying an elastic bandage to the head and neck.
Recovery After Neck Lift Surgery
Recovery from the liposuction procedure may entail some swelling and bruising that can last up to 10 days. During this time, you will be advised to use pillows in order to keep your neck and head elevated.
Prescriptions for an antibiotic and pain management will also be given. However, abnormally severe pain should be brought to your cosmetic surgeon’s attention immediately. Physical activity restrictions will also be provided by your doctor. Sutures (stitches) will be removed after a week (unless they are of the dissolvable type and disappear on their own).
The bandage is usually removed 24 hours after surgery – but a protective elastic bandage will be worn during your rest/sleep period for at least 2 weeks after surgery. It will take 3-6 months for the final results to be evident.
Recovery from a cervicoplasty or a platysmaplasty involves the same procedures as for those mentioned earlier.
Best Practices for Long-Term Neck Lift Results
Maintaining the results of a neck lift requires a commitment to healthy skincare habits and lifestyle choices. Patients should protect their skin from sun damage by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, as UV exposure can accelerate the aging process.
Staying hydrated, consuming a nutrient-rich diet, and avoiding excessive weight fluctuations can also help preserve the results. Additionally, engaging in facial and neck exercises can strengthen the underlying muscles and improve skin elasticity over time.
Regular follow-ups with your cosmetic surgeon can ensure that any early signs of sagging or aging are addressed with non-invasive treatments before they become more pronounced.
Risks Associated with Neck Lift Surgery
All surgery carries certain inherent risks. Standard risks include infection (which can be treated with antibiotics), bleeding, swelling, bruising and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Numbness may also occur which can be temporary (or in rare cases, be permanent). Most of these issues, however, are temporary and are easily treatable.
Risks that are specific to neck-lift surgeries can include nerve damage to the areas that control the muscles of the neck. Visible scarring is also a possibility and the time frame for healing will vary, depending on the physiology of the patient. Pooling of blood underneath the skin (hematoma) can also occur and may necessitate an additional surgery to correct.
As mentioned earlier, infection is an inherent risk and frequent monitoring of your body temperature can be used to detect this possibility. Any elevation in body temperature should be immediately reported to your doctor or the on-call medical response team. The same is true for any pus or discharge that is noticed at the incision sites.
Non-Surgical Alternatives to a Neck Lift
For individuals who are not ready to undergo invasive surgery, non-surgical neck lift alternatives can provide noticeable improvements with minimal downtime.
Procedures such as radiofrequency skin tightening, ultrasound therapy (Ultherapy®), and injectable dermal fillers can help tighten loose skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and restore volume to the neck area. Botox® injections can also be used to relax the platysma muscles, reducing the appearance of neck bands.
While these treatments do not provide the same long-lasting results as a surgical neck lift, they are excellent options for patients seeking a more youthful neck without the risks and recovery associated with surgery.
What Is the Cost of a Neck Lift?
Neck-lifts may require more than one procedure, so there can be significant variations in cost. The cost for a neck-lift may also be reduced if it’s performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures such as a forehead or facelift.
The average neck-lift cost ranges from $5,000 - $8,000 but can run up to $14,000 or more, depending on the experience of the surgeon, the region where the surgery is performed and the procedure, itself.
A discussion of costs (to include anesthesia fees, facility fees and miscellaneous expenses) should be discussed with your cosmetic surgeon during your consultation. Since most medical insurance companies do not cover neck-lift procedures, you may need to discuss financing options with your doctor, as well.
Choosing the Right Cosmetic Surgeon for a Neck Lift
Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in neck lift procedures is crucial for achieving natural-looking results and reducing the risk of complications.
During your consultation, there are various topics that you will wish to discuss with your cosmetic surgeon. The first thing you may wish to determine is whether or not your expectations are reasonable, regarding the surgery outcome. Inquire about what specific procedure is recommended and why?
Patients should thoroughly research potential surgeons by reviewing before-and-after photos, reading patient testimonials, and verifying board certification through organizations like the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). You might ask how many neck lift procedures that he or she performed in the last year.
You will also have questions that are specific to the procedure, itself. During the consultation, asking about the surgeon’s technique, expected recovery time, and risk management strategies can help set realistic expectations.
A qualified surgeon will tailor the procedure to the patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals, ensuring a smooth and successful transformation.