Of all cosmetic surgeries, one that can produce a striking improvement to an individual’s profile, is a neck lift. Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul Critelli, offers this procedure for weight loss patients and for those who have loose, sagging skin in the neck area as the result of aging and gravity. A neck lift reduces excess fat and sagging skin to produce a more tightened, slimmer profile. It reduces what some refer to as the “turkey neck." In addition, this procedure treats the appearance of wrinkles and unsightly lines on the neck. The primary technique used during a neck lift is skin tightening. However, some patients may not necessarily need skin tightening, but instead could benefit from liposuction. During the consultation, the difference between a neck lift and neck liposuction will be discussed so that the best approach can be taken.
About the Surgery
A Neck lift is a cosmetic procedure that focuses on lifting sagging skin to achieve a contoured neck profile.
A neck lift reduces hanging skin and reshapes the neck. During the procedure, an incision is placed under the chin and/or behind or in front of the ears. If fat deposits are present and need to be removed, liposuction will be used during the surgery and performed first. The final steps of treatment will be to trim away excess skin, pull the remaining underlying tissue and muscle tight, and suture the incision.
During/After Surgery
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient surgery at UT Health Tyler. The duration of the surgery usually takes around 2 hours, although it may vary depending on the case. Bruising and swelling will be visible after the surgery, but this will subside in the few short days following the procedure. Initially, patients will feel tightness and numbness. Once the neck adjusts to its new position, patients will notice a more relaxed feeling and a beautiful surgical result. It can take up to 6 months for the final results to appear.
Expected Cost
Schedule an appointment for a customized consultation with Dr. Critelli to determine the cost of your procedure.
FAQs
Alternative to lift?
Surgery is the only way to remove loose skin, especially if it is loose enough to hang and droop. Therefore, a neck lift is the only solution when it comes to redefining an individual’s neck to create a strong contour. While there are some very good skin tightening laser treatments on the market today, surgery is still the best option.
Hidden scars?
There is minimal scarring with this procedure. Since the incision is placed under the chin and near the ears, the scarring is usually hidden. A skilled facial surgeon will take great effort to minimize scarring as much as possible.
Ideal age?
This depends on the situation and the amount of loose and sagging skin that is present. Some weight loss patients are young and may require a neck lift at a young age (for example, those between 20-30). For older patients who are combatting loose skin due to aging, the most common age is between 50-70.
Combination surgery?
During the initial consultation, it may be brought up that in addition to a neck lift, the patient may also benefit from another procedure, such as a facelift or a chin implant. It is common for these additional procedures to be combined to achieve the patient’s desired contours and aesthetic goals.