Who Is a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?
If you are bothered by the signs of aging in your neck, you’re likely a good candidate for surgery. The procedure can reduce the appearance of a double chin, fade horizontal neck bands, and add definition to the jawline. Many patients who wish to undergo a neck lift cite other reasons, such as sagging skin that begins at the face or the development of jowls. In such cases, combining a neck lift with a facelift or endoscopic-assisted facelift is often the path to the best results.
Neck lift surgery is also appropriate for individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight and are left with an excess of loose, empty skin. Good candidates should be healthy enough to undergo surgery, and to ensure the best results, they should also precisely follow all postoperative instructions.
Your Neck Lift Procedure
Anesthesia
Depending on your specific circumstances, Dr. Konstantin will either perform your surgery while you are under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
Incisions
He makes 2 small incisions behind your ears and may also make an incision below your chin.
Tissue Contouring
Dr. Konstantin may remove or reposition excess fat to add definition, tighten the neck muscles to smooth away visible banding, and remove excess skin for a smooth contour.
Closure & Dressing
Dr. Konstantin closes your incisions with specially designed sutures, then fits your neck with supportive bandages and dressings to help you feel comfortable and support your neck as it heals. Neck lift surgery typically takes about 2 hours to complete, but it may last longer if combined with another procedure.
What To Expect From Neck Lift Recovery
Dr. Konstantin prescribes pain relievers to improve your comfort, as well. It’s important to keep your head elevated and avoid moving your neck too much during the initial healing process. Swelling and bruising are normal and no cause for alarm.
Dr. Konstantin removes sutures after 1 week. After sutures are removed, most patients feel comfortable returning to work and other daily activities. By this point, any residual bruising or discoloration can be easily concealed with makeup, and your neck will develop its new, youthful appearance. By treating your skin well and avoiding excessive sun exposure, smoking, and other unhealthy habits, you can prolong your results for many years to come.
Neck Lift FAQ
Can you combine other procedures with a neck lift?
Yes, and Dr. Konstantin frequently combines other facial plastic surgery procedures with a neck lift. A facelift is the most common complement to a neck lift, but other patients choose to add upper face treatments such as eyelid surgery or brow lift.
Are there nonsurgical alternatives to a neck lift?
Nonsurgical or minimally invasive procedures are not really neck lift alternatives. That’s because only a surgical neck lift can produce dramatic, long-lasting results. Nonsurgical skin tightening or fat reduction treatments work well if you want minimal changes. But the only way to tighten neck muscles and minimize the appearance of sagging skin is through surgery.
What about liposuction for the neck?
Neck liposuction can be an effective treatment, but it is typically best for younger patients who are more concerned about excess neck fat than signs of aging. In fact, neck liposuction alone may actually make the neck appear more wrinkled if the skin has lost most of its elasticity.