A neck lift is a cosmetic surgery that reduces excess and sagging skin and tissue on the neck. It can also tighten the musculature that defines the neck and jawline.

At Korman Plastic Surgery, Dr. Josh Korman provides expert neck lift procedures. Our patients love the more youthful look that his procedure has brought them. For more information, call one of our location-specific numbers listed below, or contact us online (Find the consultation form at the bottom of the webpage).

About Neck Lifts

One of the first places on the body to show signs of aging is the neck. The skin loses elasticity and begins to show deep folds, sometimes unfortunately referred to as a “turkey neck.” This can also be a side effect of dramatic weight loss. Other undesirable characteristics such as an obscured jawline or distinct wrinkles may also form. Luckily, neck lift procedures can treat these symptoms.

A neck lift addresses the inevitable signs of aging in the neck and jawline. Some of these characteristics can include a double chin caused by sagging skin and “bands” running horizontally down the front of the neck. There may also be the appearance of excess wrinkling around the neck or an indistinct jawline. Often, these appear as a result of age and gravity, but factors like heredity, smoking, and exposure to the elements can also cause the skin to lose elasticity more quickly. A neck lift provides Dr. Korman’s patients with a defined jawline, a smoother neck, and a more appealing profile. Neck lifts are frequently performed at the same time as liposuction or a facelift to achieve optimal results.

Benefits of a Neck Lift

There are many benefits to undergoing a neck lift procedure. These include:

  • Having a more defined jawline
  • Removal of the appearance of a double chin
  • Elimination of banding
  • Reduction and removal of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Discreet incision placement that obscures visible scarring
  • Elimination of stubborn fat pockets when liposuction is involved
  • Gaining a more youthful appearance
  • Compatibility with other facial rejuvenation treatments
  • Improved self-confidence and self-esteem

Ultimately, the benefit of a neck lift is the striking number of years it can take off of your appearance while maintaining a natural look.

Who is a Candidate for a Neck Lift?

Healthy men and women concerned with the appearance of sagging skin on their necks may be good candidates for a neck lift. Patients who have lost weight and have excess skin around their neck as a result may also be good candidates.

Patients must have realistic expectations about what can be achieved from facial procedures. We recommend viewing our before and after gallery to see the results from our patients. Keep in mind that everyone’s anatomy and visage is different, so results will vary.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation with Dr. Korman, you will have the opportunity to discuss your areas of concern. He will examine your neck and appearance as a whole and take measurements and photos. He will also need to know your medical history, including past procedures, current medications, and medical conditions. This will help to determine which procedure or combination of procedures will be most beneficial. We recommend bringing in younger photos of yourself so that we can aim for the most natural-looking improvement possible.

In some cases, Dr. Korman may suggest alternative or additional procedures, depending on your facial characteristics, lifestyle, and goals. Once a treatment plan has been established, Dr. Korman and his highly trained staff will schedule an appointment for your neck lift procedure.

We will provide you with a detailed agenda on how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect during recovery. We urge you to ask any and all questions you may have, as we hope to make you as comfortable as possible on your beauty journey.

To schedule your personal consultation, call one of our location-specific numbers listed below, or contact us online.

Preparation

Prior to surgery, you should stop smoking and taking anti-inflammatory medications. These can negatively impact recovery from your neck lift. Make sure to fill any necessary prescriptions prior to the day of surgery and make arrangements for a ride home. At the time of your consultation, we will provide you with thorough instructions on how to prepare.

Neck Lift Procedure

Neck lift treatment at Korman Plastic Surgery is an outpatient procedure that we typically perform by placing patients under general anesthesia. Dr. Korman will begin by making an incision under the chin in discrete locations, to reduce the appearance of scarring. In some cases, the incision will continue behind the ear in an S-shape that is similarly camouflaged. He will remove excess loose skin and tissue for a more contoured neck. (1) If necessary, Dr. Korman can perform liposuction to remove unsightly fat deposits.

Once he has achieved the desired results, Dr. Korman will close the incisions with sutures. We will wrap your treatment area and take you to our recovery room. You will wake up from the anesthesia as our skilled nursing team supervises you with care and close attention. We ask that you make arrangements for somebody to drive you home after your procedure. This procedure typically takes about two to three hours to complete. 

Recovery

Dr. Korman will give you compression bandages to aid in healing following your neck lift. You may experience some swelling and bruising while recovering. To reduce these side effects, we recommend sleeping with your head elevated. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications while you recover. We will prescribe medication to minimize any discomfort. You may experience a feeling of tightness around the neck for a month or so following treatment. This will go away as the neck heals. Most patients can resume normal activity within two weeks, although you should wait some time longer to resume strenuous activity.

Results

The results of your neck lift will be immediately apparent, although they will be slightly obscured by swelling. You will not see the final results until the swelling has gone down completely, which could take several months. You will be amazed by the effects that your procedure will have on your appearance and self-esteem. These results will be long-lasting, though the inevitability of aging means they are not permanent. Your skin will continue to become weaker and more lax as you grow older, though additional procedures to maintain results are possible. (2)

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

At Korman Plastic Surgery, we offer procedures that can correspond with and complement your neck lift.

Liposuction

In order to offer complete and optimal results, liposuction is often the first step in a neck lift procedure. Surgeons target and remove stubborn pockets of submental fat in the neck and jaw area that are not responsive to diet and exercise. They insert a cannula, a thin tube-like tool, into a small incision. They use suction to remove fat for a slimmer contour. Then, they remove any excess skin and tightly re-drape it. Liposuction can treat most areas of the body that store excess fat, such as the abdomen and upper arms. 

Facelift

A facelift is a cosmetic procedure that removes lax skin from the face, creating a smoother, more youthful appearance and visage. The procedure utilizes small, discreet incisions along the hairline and the ears in order to access different layers of skin, muscles, and tissue in the face depending on the facelift technique. A surgeon repositions muscle and tissue to counteract the effects of gravity and produce a youthful contour. Then, they remove excess skin and suture it tightly to provide long-lasting, effective results. Providers often combine facelifts with neck lifts in order to provide the most comprehensive anti-aging results. Patients with substantial signs of aging may find that undergoing one procedure without the other will create a stark disconnect in the appearance of their upper and lower face. Since the procedures utilize similar techniques, providers can easily combine them.

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a treatment that can provide a more beautiful neck and facial contour without cutting or incisions. Some people refer to it as the non-invasive, or non-surgical facelift. Using ultrasound energy, providers heat the deep tissue layer of the skin to create a natural firmness and lift. It helps to stimulate collagen production, which tightens the skin. Ultherapy is not necessarily an alternative to a facelift or neck lift, as it will not be able to remove excess skin or fat deposits that cause the appearance of banding and double chins. However, it may be a good procedure for candidates who have already received a neck lift or facelift and want to maintain or improve a firm and taut facial aesthetic. It is also great for patients who only need minimal cosmetic improvement.

To learn more about the procedures we offer, visit our blog.

How Much Do Neck Lifts Cost in Mountain View?

For a neck lift, the price will vary depending on the extent of surgery necessary and the other procedures that we perform alongside it. We will discuss these variables at your personal consultation. Patient financing is an option.

To find out how much neck lifts cost at Korman Plastic Surgery, call one of our location-specific numbers listed below, or contact us online.

FAQ

What is the ideal age for a neck lift?

There is no specific age requirement for a neck lift. As long as you are in good overall health and bothered by loose folds of skin along your neck, this procedure may be a suitable option. However, most patients who undergo a neck lift are typically between the ages of 35 and 65. The best way to determine if you are an ideal candidate is to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who can assess your unique circumstances.

Do neck lifts leave visible scars?

While neck lifts technically do leave visible scars, they are not visually apparent or obvious. During the procedure, surgeons make the incisions in discrete areas like the fold of the jaw and behind the ears, in order to hide them. The scars will also fade over time and can be treated to become less visible more quickly. 

Will a neck lift help eliminate jowls?

A neck lift is specifically designed to target and address the soft tissue structures beneath the chin. However, it is important to note that jowls are deposits of excess skin and fatty tissue that typically hang around the jawline, above the neck. While a neck lift can improve the appearance of the neck, it may not be the optimal solution for eliminating jowls. In such cases, a facelift procedure might be more appropriate. Often, patients experience signs of aging in both the face and neck and achieving the best results may involve combining these two procedures.

Are neck lifts permanent?

While neck lifts can provide long-lasting and satisfying results, they are not permanent. The effects that aging and gravity have on the skin are unfortunately unstoppable. However, a healthy diet and lifestyle can help to maintain the youthful look that a neck lift can provide. It is also not uncommon to receive additional procedures to uphold the results.  

References

  1. Narasimhan K, Stuzin JM, Rohrich RJ. Five-Step Neck Lift: Integrating Anatomy with Clinical Practice to Optimize Results. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2013;132(2):339-350. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182958b6f 
  2. Marten T, Elyassnia D. Neck Lift. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2018;45(4):455-484. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2018.06.002