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Neck Lift

What is a Neck Lift?

A Neck Lift is a combination of procedures that is smaller than the classic facelift and addresses the following problems:

  • Excess fat or “Double Chin”
  • Vertical muscle bands of the neck
  • Horizontal wrinkles of the neck
  • Sagging skin or “Turkey Neck”

Ideal Candidates

If you feel that the youthful contours of the neck have been lost, yet the upper face is still pleasing and not ready for a full facelift, then a neck lift is possibly the correct procedure for you. When the neck area doesn't match the upper facial appearance and there appears to be a double chin, turkey wattle or prominent muscle bands then this surgical procedure improves these visible signs of aging or perhaps imperfections related to hereditary.

About the procedure

The excess fat is initially removed with liposuction through a small discrete opening under the chin. If the skin is not sagging, then there is no need for skin removal because the skin will re-drape into the new angulation of the neck. Vertical muscle bands of the neck, if they are thin, are eliminated with the liposuction process; if not, then they are treated through a small incision at the level of the wrinkle below the chin. Through this access two things are achieved: elimination of the muscle bands by joining them at the central axis of the neck and improvement of the horizontal wrinkles of the neck by undermining of the skin.

If there is significant sagging of the skin then in order to complete the neck lift the excess skin is removed through incisions that are made behind the ears.

What is Recovery Like?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation as an outpatient. Postoperatively patients do not experience pain and will be given oral antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs for the first 24 hours. If sutures are used they are removed after one week. Occasional swelling and bruising will subside within 5-10 days. Patients can go back to their regular daily activities in most cases the next day.