Neck Lift

A sagging neck can give the appearance of premature aging and lessen one’s self-confidence. A neck lift procedure involves a combination of rejuvenation and re-contouring of the neck to reverse the visible signs of aging and to better define the jawline.

If you are frustrated by the appearance of a sagging, loose, or wrinkled neck, a Neck Lift will restore the smooth, tight neck contours of your youth! A neck lift at Klosterstern Plastic Surgery is personalized to address patient’s specific aging-related issues and flatter their unique facial features. Dr. Dalia Tobbia’s advanced surgical techniques achieve beautiful results with minimal downtime.

Have questions about a neck lift? Contact us to learn more.

What is a Neck Lift?

As we age, our body produces less hyaluronic acid and collagen, two important ingredients found in healthy, youthful skin. Without HA and collagen to keep the elastins healthy, skin loses its elasticity and stretches out with time. Loose, wrinkled skin develops. This skin laxity is often most apparent on the neck and hands.

A Neck Lift is a cosmetic procedure that restores the smooth, healthy contours of the neck and jawline. A Neck lift will address the effects of aging and tighten strained neck muscles, remove excess skin, and removal of fat is necessary. The minimally-invasive procedure is performed using small, strategically-placed incisions. Patients are often back to their usual activities within one week.

In younger patients with excess fat deposits in the neck and good skin quality, the treatment involves only liposuction to the neck. However, with aging, both the skin and underlying muscles in the neck become more lax necessitating plication (tightening) of the neck muscles in addition to removal of skin excess. Often a neck lift is combined with fat transfer to give the face or décolleté a fuller, more youthful look and to eliminate wrinkles. Dr. Dalia Tobbia will meet privately with you to assess the needs of your neck and make a professional recommendation for your customized surgical plan.

Benefits of a Neck Lift

Neck Lift & Liposuction

Younger patients may have a tendency to develop fat deposits in the neck area even if they are slim. This can give an aged appearance to an otherwise youthful face. In such cases, liposuction to the neck alone followed by wearing of a compression garment can have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance of the face and neck.

In order to perform liposuction, Dr. Dalia Tobbia will first inject tumescent fluid into the area(s) of the neck where unwanted subcutaneous fat is present. Tumescent fluid is comprised of saline, epinephrine, and a local anesthetic. The tumescent fluid has the dual benefit of reducing bleeding and swelling the fat cells up, making the fat easier to gently remove from the body. Dr. Dalia Tobbia will make small incisions behind the earlobes in order to access the swollen fat. She will extract the unwanted fat using a slim, small cannula.

Liposuction also enables Dr. Dalia Tobbia to safely collect fat for transfer to other parts of the body. The fat is purified before Dr. Dalia Tobbia re-injects it into the desired area of the face or body. It is very common for patients to lose facial volume as they age, resulting in an aged, gaunt appearance.

In older patients the underlying problem is not always fat but also laxity of the muscle in the neck (“platysma muscle”). Strained neck muscles need to be plicated in order to restore the youthful contour of the neck in addition to excess fat removal.

In younger patients, liposuction alone may be enough to achieve the ideal result. In the case of strained neck muscles or stretched skin, surgery aimed at restoring a more defined neck contour is often the best solution.

Candidates

You are a good candidate for Neck Lift if:

Consultation

Before you consider undergoing any surgical procedure, a physical examination and consultation will take place with our surgical expert. Because each patient is unique, both physically and with regards to aesthetic desires, an individually-tailored treatment plan is formulated based on detailed discussions of the most up-to date-surgical options available. Photographs are taken and diagrams used to explain the procedure in a step-by-step manner including limitations and possible risks. The main goal is to provide you with realistic expectations.

In order to make sure we adequately address patient’s concerns, we invite candidates for neck lift to prepare a list of questions to bring with them to their consultation. Please find some of our patient’s Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.

Preparation

In general, patients will be asked to discontinue use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications for two weeks prior to their surgery date. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. Blood-thinning supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, turmeric, garlic, and ginkgo biloba should also be avoided for two weeks leading up to patients’ neck lift surgery.

Surgical Method

We employ the most up-to-date concepts in our surgical techniques. A neck lift is performed under general anaesthesia. The technique applied is based on individual patient parameters and the effect on anatomical structures as a result of aging. Accurate preoperative planning is made to suit each individual patient targeting the area that needs to be addressed.

A small discreet incision is made in the midline of the neck to allow access for muscle tightening and fat removal. After this any residual skin excess is removed as needed. If only liposuction to the neck is planned, then two very tiny skin incisions are made just behind the earlobes to allow the insertion of a liposuction cannula for fat removal.

At the same time, other areas of the face can be injected with fat to create a more youthful look and to eliminate wrinkles. Meticulous attention to detail is applied to ensure even contours and the best possible aesthetic result.

Post-Operative Care

The wounds are covered with non-stick dressings; sometimes a tiny drain is inserted to assist with healing. Stitches are removed within 7 days. Wearing of a compression garment on the neck is advised for 2 weeks to aid skin recoil. Swelling, bruising and a sensation of tightening and tingling may be present for a few weeks.

Patients will be advised to return throughout their recovery for follow-up appointments with Dr. Dalia Tobbia. She will monitor your progress and give you a clear sense of what to expect from your recovery timeline. At Klosterstern Plastic Surgery, we are never too busy for our patients! If you have questions following your neck lift, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Results

The outcomes of a neck lift will emerge as post-procedure swelling subsides. Patients are mostly delighted by the dramatic improvement in neck contour and a well-defined jawline, which looks sexy and vibrant and is immediately evident.

Patients who received an additional fat transfer to the face may experience mild bruising or swelling in the injection site, but these conditions will subside within a few days. The body will accept the transferred fat over the weeks following the procedure. Final results of fat transfer to the face will be visible at the six-month mark.

Results of a neck lift last for years! Men and women who maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle will enjoy their smooth, slim neck contours for years.

FAQ