Overview
While cosmetic plastic surgery has been known to exist for centuries, the cosmetic procedures we are most familiar with today began taking shape over the last few decades. In American society, cosmetic plastic surgery began gaining popularity in the 1920s and was met with sharp criticism from doctors who spoke against these purely elective procedures, and from people shocked at the idea of vanity being taken to such extremes.
Today, plastic surgery is exceedingly commonplace, and the advancements in modern medicine have made these procedures safer, more effective, and much more accepted as a cultural norm than ever before. Though the taboo around plastic surgery is mostly gone, there can still be somewhat of a stigma attached to having “work done,” and many people would prefer to keep quiet about their decisions to operate if given a choice.
Neck lift surgery is one of the less-obvious forms of plastic surgery that exist, making it the perfect choice for those seeking a subtle way to enjoy dramatic enhancements to their appearance. According to a report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were 53,028 neck lifts performed in the US in 2017 alone. Candidates for neck lift surgery are typically individuals that want to tighten the skin around their neck or eradicate jowls, deep wrinkles, or sagging skin.
What is a Neck Lift?
In general, neck lift surgery is primarily designed to enhance and tighten the neck, eliminating excess tissue, fat, or banding that often forms as we age. The appearance of a chubby neck, double-chin, or a wobbly neck is typically caused by three of the following factors: a lax platysma muscle, excess fat, and the presence of a large fold of excess neck skin, commonly referred to as a turkey wattle.
Direct neck lift surgery essentially combines two different neck rejuvenation surgeries into one procedure: a cervicoplasty and a platysmaplasty. Both of these procedures are performed specifically to target the areas of the neck and under the chin and can be performed alone if the patient is trying to correct less severe effects of aging.
More commonly, both procedures are combined in a direct neck lift when more invasive surgery is necessary for correcting more serious signs of aging, and heavily drooping neck skin.
Do I Need Neck Lift Surgery?
A neck lift is a surgical solution to improve visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck. Youthful contours in the neck and face can be lost due to a variety of factors, such as stress, weight gain, environmental conditions, and heredity.
When the neck or chin areas seem to stand out or look out of proportion with the face or the chest, or if a patient is embarrassed by excess skin, heavy wrinkles or other signs of aging, neck lift surgery can help to effectively balance and smooth out the neck and chin areas. Men often present for neck lift surgery due to an inability to button the top button of their shirt due to the turkey wattle.
Here are some common problems that lead people towards neck lift surgery as a solution:
Excess fat and skin relaxation in the lower face that creates jowls
Excess fatty deposits underneath the chin
Loose neck skin
Muscle banding in the neck, which creates abnormal contours
See AlsoHow Much Does Neck Lift (Lower Rhytidectomy) Cost? (See Prices Near You) | AEDITHow Much Does Neck Lift (Lower Rhytidectomy) Cost? (See Prices Near You) | AEDITNeck Lift Without Surgery: Options, Costs, Benefits, and MoreNeck Lift (Lower Rhytidectomy) Recovery - A Recovery Timeline, Tips, and How to Heal | AEDIT
Neck lift procedures are designed to suit the needs of each patient on an individual basis. If you feel that you might benefit from a neck lift, ask for a consultation with a plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon that is board certified.
What Benefits Can I Expect From Having Neck Lift Surgery?
The goal of your neck lift procedure will depend on the components of the surgery you and your doctor have chosen. Your surgery will either seek to reduce or remove excess skin underneath the chin area in a cervicoplasty, or it will work to tighten the platysma muscles to enhance definition through a platysmaplasty. In many cases, your doctor will perform both procedures in a direct neck lift operation.
If your goal is to lessen the look of a double chin, remove fat or excess skin (more commonly known as a “turkey neck”), smooth-out wrinkles and reduce heavy creases, you are likely to see excellent results from a neck lift procedure.
The benefits of a neck lift procedure are typically long-lasting, natural-looking, and permanent. A neck lift can also be combined with a facelift for more comprehensive facial revitalization.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for Direct Neck Lift Surgery?
The ideal candidate for a direct neck lift is generally someone that is bothered by signs of aging in the neck area and is a healthy individual. Doctors also recommend that neck lift patients are nonsmokers and do not have allergies to anesthesia, certain medications, or other complications that might make the surgery or the healing process difficult.
Ideal candidates will also have a positive mindset regarding surgery and will hold realistic expectations about the outcome of their procedure.
Who Should Not Have this Procedure?
A direct neck lift is not recommended for patients with severe jowl or cheek sagging that might better benefit from a facelift or other type of procedure. Also, a neck lift is not suitable for patients with very thin skin that cannot be stretched or that lacks a certain degree of laxity, as the neck lift surgery process requires stretching of the skin.
Neck lift surgery, like any cosmetic procedure, is not recommended for candidates with unrealistic expectations about results. It’s advised that patients are made aware of what to expect from a neck lift, and what cannot be improved with the surgery. To clarify, a neck lift operation will not change your fundamental appearance, nor will it completely stop the inevitable aging process from taking place. For a better idea of what to expect from surgery, ask your doctor to discuss what staying realistic will mean for your situation.
Patients with a medical history of complications, especially heart conditions, or allergies to anesthesia may not be suitable for neck lift surgery. Additionally, those with unrealistic expectations about surgery would not be recommended for a neck lift procedure. Those that smoke will be encouraged to quit several weeks or months before the procedure to avoid complications during and after surgery.
Will I Be Put Under Anesthesia During My Direct Neck Lift Surgery?
Yes. In neck lift surgery, the patient is put under anesthesia during the operation. Your surgeon will recommend the best choice of anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the procedure. In most cases, patients are sedated intravenously or put under general anesthesia.
How Will I Prepare for my Direct Neck Lift Surgery?
In most cases, your doctor will advise you to begin preparing for surgery up to two weeks in advance. In general, you’ll be instructed not to take anti-inflammatory pills and over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and Advil. Patients will also be advised to cease the ingestion of certain vitamin supplements and multi-vitamins, herbal teas and herbal medications to decrease the risk of bleeding.
Patients should not smoke at least two weeks before a neck lift, or drink alcohol five days before the operation. They should also stop taking Retin-A creams and Accutane (isotretinoin), birth control medication and hormone treatments two weeks before the surgery date.
Your doctor will instruct you to take any lab tests he or she may need to assess your health before surgery, and they may prescribe several medications to begin taking beforehand. Your doctor may also prescribe a dedicated face washing routine to be completed daily in the days before surgery, to prepare the skin for a neck lift.
The night before surgery, patients may be advised to take pain medication like Valium, though this is sometimes administered the morning of the surgery. You’ll also be instructed to abstain from eating or drinking anything after midnight on the day before your surgery.
Patients will need to arrange for care from a friend or family member before neck lift surgery. In most cases, patients can expect to need assistance at home for at least two full days after surgery happens, starting with the drive home.
What Should I Expect After Surgery?
After surgery patients should expect to feel a little pain in the form of tightness or soreness in the treated areas. To manage pain, the doctor will prescribe pain medication. Other symptoms after surgery include numbness, tingling sensations, mild swelling, and some bruising, though these symptoms are usually minimal.
Patients should not take aspirin or resume certain medications after surgery, according to their doctor’s recommendations. You’ll also be advised to start walking as soon as possible to encourage blood flow, which will help to keep the swelling down and reduce your chance of potential blood clots from forming.
Patients should know not to smoke or drink alcohol for an extended period after neck lift surgery, according to their doctor’s instructions. Smoking and alcohol consumption can delay the healing process, and could maximize the risk of other complications after surgery. You’ll also be advised not to drive a car until you’re able to stop taking narcotics for pain, which may take at least a week after surgery.
Patients should also refrain from the following activities at least two weeks after surgery:
Strenuous exercise and sex
Heavy housework
Alcohol
Smoking
Steam baths, saunas, or jacuzzis
Excessive sun exposure
Hair dyes and permanents
In most cases, patients can expect to return to work and other regular activities two or three weeks after surgery. You may feel very comfortable to work by phone and computer within a few days after surgery, but you will likely not want to see anyone for at least a week after surgery. Your doctor will consult with you on your expected recovery times before your neck lift, and at the follow-up procedure after surgery. He or she will also discuss proper care for your sutures and neck area, including the use of steri-strips over the incision and cold compresses for swelling.
To better understand the healing and downtime associated with the procedure, check out our complete guide to neck lift recovery.
Potential Side Effects or Complications from Neck Lift Surgery
As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, several potential side effects can occur after a neck lift. Side effects can vary depending on the medical history of the patient, and the type of procedure that has been planned.
Some side effects and complications include light swelling and bruising, general discomfort and mild pain, changes in sensation in the treated areas, and some cases, scarring.
Rare but potential risks and complications after neck lift surgery include allergic reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, hair loss where incisions were made, asymmetrical or uneven lines in the neck and facial areas, infection, hematoma, and a very slight risk of a specific nerve injury near the lower lip.
To minimize your risk of any potential complications occurring after the surgery, it is essential to follow the advice and instructions of your surgeon for best results.
How Much Does Direct Neck Lift Surgery Cost?
The cost of a direct neck lift will depend on a variety of factors, such as the experience of the surgeon, the type of procedure used and the geographic location. Prices usually start at around $5000 and can be as much as $10,000.
Neck lift costs may or may not include:
Anesthesia fees
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Medical tests
Post-surgery garments
Prescriptions for medication
Surgeon's fees
Usually, neck lifts are cosmetic and elective, rather than restorative surgeries. This means that in most cases, your health insurance plan will not provide coverage for a neck lift procedure. In any case, plastic surgeons generally offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask for those if you are interested in learning about more payment options. To better understand the price of the procedure, check out our complete guide to neck lift costs.
Are Results Permanent or Temporary?
Results of a neck lift are permanent, and results are typically noticeable immediately after surgery is completed. However, patients should know that it may take several weeks or even months after surgery for swelling, bruising, or other symptoms to fully subside. As the side effects begin to fade, the results of the cosmetic surgery will become more noticeable. Bear in mind that your results may be affected by the natural aging of the skin. This is normal and to be expected.
