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.

Dr. Korman is able to tighten the skin and create a defined contour with a neck lift procedure. Our patients love the restored youth that they have experienced following this procedure. For more information about neck lifts and to determine candidacy, contact Dr. Josh Korman’s San Jose, Carmel, or Mountain View facility to schedule a consultation.

What is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a procedure that addresses the inevitable signs of aging on the neck and jowls. 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 old age and gravity, but factors like heredity, smoking, and exposure to the elements can also cause the skin to lose elasticity more quickly. Patients who have lost significant weight may also experience sagging skin that won’t seem to tighten to the newly contoured neck shape. A neck lift provides Dr. Korman’s Bay Area patients with a defined jawline, smooth neck, and appealing profile.

Neck lifts are frequently performed at the same time as liposuction or a facelift in order to achieve optimal results.

Benefits of a Neck Lift

  • Definition of the jawline
  • Removal of appearance of double chin
  • Elimination of banding
  • Reduction and removal of fine lines and wrinkles from excess skin
  • Discreet incision placement
  • Elimination of stubborn fat pockets, when combined with liposuction
  • Younger looking aesthetic
  • Overall youthful enhancement when combined with a facelift
  • Can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation techniques
  • Improved self-confidence

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

Good Candidates

Healthy men and women concerned with the appearance of sagging skin on their neck 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.

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

Preparation

Prior to surgery, patients should stop smoking or taking anti-inflammatory medications. These can negatively impact neck lift surgery recovery. We will also ask patients to fill any necessary prescriptions prior to the day of surgery and make arrangements for a ride home. At the time of their consultation, patients are provided with thorough details on how to prepare for their case.

The Neck Lift Process

A neck lift is an outpatient procedure that is typically performed under general anesthesia.

An incision will be made under the chin, within the natural folds to reduce the appearance of scarring. In some cases, the incision will continue behind the ear in an S-shape that is still hidden and camouflaged. Dr. Korman will remove excess loose skin, and tissue can be repositioned or removed to create a better-contoured neck. If necessary, liposuction can be performed to remove unsightly fat deposits. If a facelift is performed with the neck lift, the appropriate amount of lax facial skin is excised and muscles and tissue are repositioned for a defined contour. One of the main points of a neck lift is that the tissues are pulled appropriately so that the skin can drape naturally with a more youthful appearance.

Once the desired results have been met, Dr. Korman will close the incisions with sutures. Patients are properly bandaged and then taken to our recovery room where they can wake up from anesthesia comfortably with the care and close attention of our skilled nursing team. We ask that all patients make arrangements for somebody to drive them home after the procedure.

The length of this procedure typically takes about two to three hours. To determine which procedures would offer the best benefits, please contact Dr. Korman’s San Jose, Carmel, or Mountain View office today to request a consultation appointment.

Additional Procedures

Liposuction

In order to offer complete and optimal results, liposuction is often the first step necessary in a neck lift procedure. Stubborn pockets of submental fat that are not responsive to diet and exercise may be targeted and removed from the neck and jowl area. This is performed by inserting a cannula, or small tube, into a small incision. Submental fat is then suctioned for a slimmer contour. Then, the skin can be redraped tautly and the proper amount of excess skin can be removed. In cases such as patients who have lost a great deal of weight, liposuction may not be necessary and just the removal of excess skin can provide great results.

Facelift

A facelift is a procedure that removes lax skin from the face, creating a smooth, 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. Muscle and tissue are repositioned to counteract the effects of gravity and produce a youthful contour.

Then, excess skin is removed, and it is sutured to provide long-lasting, effective results. A facelift is often performed in combination with a neck lift in order to provide the most comprehensive anti-aging results in the areas of the body that seem to show signs of aging fastest. 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 face. Since the procedures utilize similar techniques, they can easily be implemented at the same time.

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is sometimes referred to as the non-invasive facelift and can be used to create beautiful neck and facial contour without cutting or incisions. Using ultrasound energy, the deep tissue layer of the skin is heated 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 causes the appearance of banding or a double chin. However, Ultherapy may be a good procedure for candidates who have already received a neck lift or facelift in order to maintain or improve a firm and taut facial aesthetic, or for those who only need minimal assistance firming their facial skin.

Recovery

Dr. Korman will use compression bandages to aid in healing following the neck lift. There may be slight swelling and bruising while recovering. To reduce the appearance of these side effects, we recommend sleeping with the head elevated and avoiding anti-inflammatory medications. Patients are provided a prescription in order to minimize discomfort. Patients may also 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 are able to resume normal activity within two weeks, although strenuous activity may take longer.

Consultation

During the consultation with Dr. Korman, candidates will have the opportunity to discuss their areas of concern. The doctor will examine the neck and visage as a whole and take measurements and photos. He will also need to know the patient’s medical history, including past procedures, current medications, and medical conditions, in order to help determine which procedure or combination of procedures would be most beneficial.

We also recommend that patients bring in younger photos of themselves, so the doctor can aim to produce the most natural-looking results.

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

The patient will be outfitted with a detailed agenda on how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect during recovery. We urge patients to ask any and all questions, as we hope to make them as comfortable as possible on their journey to a younger looking self.

Neck Lift Cost

For a neck lift, the price will vary depending on the extent of surgery necessary and what other procedures are done in conjunction. This will be addressed at the initial consultation with Dr. Korman at one of his four Bay Area facilities. Patient financing is an option.

Please feel free to call Dr. Korman’s Mountain View, Carmel, or San Jose office, or request a consultation online to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.