What Is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift, known as platysmaplasty, is a surgery that firms the skin on the neck to reduce signs of aging. The skin on the neck can make a person appear significantly older as looseness increases over time. A neck lift gives the patient a renewed sense of youthfulness by smoothing away sagging and low-hanging skin.
For Neck Fat, Consider a Necklift or Neck liposuction
Excess pockets of fat on areas of the face and neck beneath the chin can be removed through Facial Suction Lipectomy (Liposuction). Liposuction is performed by inserting a special blunt instrument, known as a cannula, beneath the skin through a tiny incision. The incisions are usually located below the chin or just behind the ear lobes and are particularly well hidden. The unwanted fat cells are then removed.
After the neck fat is removed, the overlying skin shrinks to create a contoured appearance taking years off of the appropriately selected neck. The fat cells removed will not reappear, as fat cells do not multiply in quantity but rather in size. We regularly perform this procedure in either the office setting or in the operating room.
Neck Lift Post-operative Care
After the procedure, a snug dressing is wrapped around the face and neck to help maintain the new and rejuvenated contour. It is removed the next day, although you may be advised to wear a ‘chinstrap’ for a few days and for several weeks at night.
Post-operative Downtime
Some bruising and swelling can occur, with the bruising subsiding within one week, and the swelling subsiding more slowly. The result can be a much-improved jawline and chin. Submental Liposuction is a nice adjunct to a facelift when rejuvenating the aging face. Likewise, it can complement a reshaping of the nose.
Removing neck fat from under your chin can produce dramatic results.
Neck Lift FAQs
Experience Matters. As a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon at Northwestern with expertise in the face and neck, Dr. Sidle can provide you with an individualized plan to achieve your goals of a more youthful face. Call our office for a one-on-one consultation.
Neck fat can be removed through Facial Suction Lipectomy (Liposuction). Neck liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat from the neck. The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin below the chin, inserts a metal tube called a cannula, and uses a suction device to remove the fat.
A neck lift is done by first making an incision under the chin. The surgeon then inserts a special blunt instrument called a cannula into the incision. The cannula is used to loosen the excess skin and fat in the neck. The skin and fat are then removed with a suction device.
The age at which you should get a neck lift will vary depending on your circumstances. However, I recommend waiting until they are in their 50s or 60s before undergoing neck lift surgery. This is because the skin and muscles of the neck tend to become less elastic as a person ages naturally, so they are more likely to achieve lasting results from a neck lift surgery if performed at this later stage in life.
The average person can expect their neck lift results to last around 5-10 years. However, many variables can affect how long your results will last, including sun exposure, smoking, skin type, age, weight, and lifestyle. Younger patients tend to have longer-lasting results than older patients, while those who lead a healthy lifestyle typically experience longer-lasting results than those who don’t.
Yes, neck lifts work. They work by surgically removing excess skin and fat from the neck area, which can help to improve the appearance of the neck and jawline. The results of a neck lift are usually quite noticeable and can last for many years.
However, it’s important to note that a neck lift is a fairly invasive surgery. It’s also important to be realistic about what a neck lift can achieve; it won’t make you look like you’re 20 years old again, but it can help to reduce the signs of aging around the neck area.
The cost of neck lift surgery can vary depending on the condition of your skin and the strength of your neck muscles. Generally, the price ranges from $3,000 to $8,000.
If you have a lot of excess skin and weak neck muscles, you’ll likely need a more extensive surgery with a longer recovery time. These cases can cost as high as $10,000 or more. On the other hand, if you only have minor sagging or wrinkles and strong neck muscles, you may only need a minimally invasive procedure that costs less than $3,000.
Depending on the extent of surgery, most patients see final results 6-8 weeks after surgery. Swelling and bruising should subside by that time, and you should see the final contours and improved neck profile. However, it can take up to 6-8 months for all swellings to resolve. So be patient – the results are worth it!
The primary purpose of neck lift surgery is to improve the appearance of the neck by reducing excess skin, muscle, and fat.
The neck can be one of the first areas to show signs of aging, and a saggy or wrinkled neck can make a person look older than they are. Neck lift surgery can correct these problems and give the neck a more youthful appearance.
A neck lift can be performed on individuals of any age, but it is most commonly done on people in their 30s to 60s. A good candidate for a neck lift is someone with excess skin and fat in the neck area, deep wrinkles, or bands of muscles in the neck that have become visible.
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for a neck lift is to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. They will examine your neck and discuss your goals for surgery. Based on this examination, the surgeon can tell you if a neck lift is right for you.
Neck lift surgery can provide several benefits, including:
- A more youthful appearance
- Improved skin tone and elasticity
- Reduced wrinkles and lines
- Removal of excess fatty deposits or skin
- Straightening of the neck profile
- Elimination of “jowls” or loose skin below the jawline
It depends on the insurance company and the policy. Generally, insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery, but there may be exceptions for medically necessary procedures.
If you are considering neck lift surgery, it is important to speak with your insurance company to find out if they will cover any of the costs associated with the procedure.
Yes, neck lifts are considered to be safe procedures. The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, and the risks associated with the procedure include infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. But these risks are minimal when a qualified surgeon performs the procedure.
Yes, a neck lift can be done under local anesthesia. The surgery will involve making small incisions in the skin on either side of the neck. Anesthesia is then injected into these incisions to numb the area. During the surgery, the surgeon will tighten and reposition the muscles and tissues in the neck to give a more youthful appearance.
However, many patients prefer general anesthesia, so they are fully asleep and do not feel pain during the surgery. Your surgeon can advise you on the best option for you.
A neck lift can remove some jowls, but it depends on the extent of the jowls and how much excess skin and tissue is present. A neck lift surgically tightens the skin and muscles of the neck to improve overall contour and reduce the appearance of jowls. However, if you have a considerable amount of excess skin and tissue below your chin, a neck lift may not be able to give you the desired results. In such cases, you may need to consider a facelift or chin implant surgery to achieve optimal results.
Most people take about two weeks to recover from a neck lift surgery. Swelling and bruising can last up to six weeks, but most people are happy with the results after two weeks. But everyone is different, and you should always follow your doctor’s instructions on caring for your wound and how long to wait before resuming normal activities.
For a few days or a few weeks at night, the doctor could instruct you to wear a “chinstrap.” The chin strap helps to keep the surgical area stabilized and in place while it heals. Wearing the chin strap also helps to minimize swelling and bruising.
If you have had a neck lift combined with liposuction or other cosmetic procedures, you may need to wear the chin strap for longer. Always follow the surgeon’s instructions regarding post-operative care for a neck lift.
Yes, neck liposuction can help sleep apnea. Excess fat deposits in the neck can narrow the airway and lead to sleep apnea. Liposuction can remove these excess fat deposits, thus widening the airway and improving airflow.
However, it’s important to note that not everyone with sleep apnea will benefit from neck liposuction. Some people may require more invasive treatments, such as surgery or a CPAP machine, to treat their sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.
Yes, neck liposuction is worth it for people who have excess fat in that area and are unhappy with their necks’ appearance.
Neck liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat from the neck area. It is a relatively minor procedure. The recovery time is short, and the results are usually excellent.
Massaging your neck after liposuction can help improve the surgery’s overall results. Massage your neck correctly in these steps:
1. Use circular motions to massage the area around the liposuction site.
2. Use light pressure when massaging.
3. Massage for five minutes, two times per day.
4. Be gentle – you don’t want to damage the skin or disrupt the surgical site.
Post-Operative Instructions
All post-operative instructions can be found on the Patient Resources page.
Our Results
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