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Neck Lift

The natural process of aging can cause the muscles in the neck to become lax, the neck skin to lose elasticity and sag, and excess fat to build up in the chin, jowls, jaw, and neck. These factors can hide the sculpted contours of the jawline and make the neck look aged and droopy.

A neck lift is a cosmetic procedure that combines platysmaplasty to tighten the muscles in the neck and cervicoplasty to remove excess skin and fatty tissue, eliminates jowls and “turkey wattle,” and decreases the look of a “double chin” while sculpting the neck and improving jawline definition.

  1. Neck Rejuvenation Specialist
  2. Benefits of a Neck Lift
  3. Candidates for Neck Lift Surgery
  4. The Neck Lift Procedure
  5. Neck Lift Recovery
  6. Planning Your Neck Lift Procedure
  7. FAQs About Neck Lift Surgery

Neck Rejuvenation Specialist in San Diego

Neck lift surgery is often performed with facelift surgery, but whether conducted as an isolated procedure or as a complement to other cosmetic surgeries, the outcome is a more youthful appearance of the neck. Dr. John M. Hilinski is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and San Diego’s premiere neck lift specialist offering a variety of facial plastic surgery procedures, including highly advanced neck and face lifting techniques.

Benefits of a Neck Lift

Neck lift surgery is a cosmetic surgery that rejuvenates the appearance of the neck for men and women. Our patients love neck lift surgery for its ability to achieve:

  • Tighter neck muscles 
  • Smoother skin on the neck area
  • A more defined jawline
  • A more sculpted chin
  • Reduced neck folds and jowls
  • A younger-looking appearance
  • Improved self-confidence

Candidates for Neck Lift Surgery

This procedure is typically designed for individuals seeking to target and remove fatty tissue and loose skin around the neck for a tighter neck appearance and improved jawline contour. Good candidates for neck lift surgery are generally patients with neck folds and deep creases that want to rejuvenate their neck, under-chin, and jawline with a neck lift procedure. Ideally, candidates should be in relatively good health and not smoke.1 The best way to find out if you are a candidate for a neck lift is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hillinski. During this initial consultation, he will take a comprehensive medical history, examine skin laxity in the lower face and neck, and provide a surgical treatment plan designed to achieve the optimal neck contour.

The Neck Lift Procedure

For most patients, neck lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or under sedation with local anesthesia. The procedure typically begins with a small incision under the chin, through which Dr. Hilinski will tighten the platysma muscle and remove any fatty deposits.2 Depending on the amount of excess skin, some patients may require an additional discrete incision that is hidden in the fold where the neck meets the bottom of the ear. In general, neck lift surgery takes between 1 ½  to 3 hours, depending on the patient’s anatomy and cosmetic goals.

Neck Lift Recovery

The healing process following neck lift surgery takes several weeks, and patients can expect to wear a compressive bandage around the neck for 24 hours a day to reduce swelling and help the neck skin and musculature mold to its new contours. Dr. Hilinski will help patients manage any discomfort or pain with prescription medication and typically sees patients one week after their surgery for their follow-up appointment and to remove any sutures. Bruising and swelling is expected and normal for up to 10 days after surgery. Patients can typically return to their normal routine, including going to work within 7 to 10 days of surgery, sometimes sooner.

Planning Your Neck Lift Procedure*

Average Cost: $9,500
Average Procedure Time: 3 hours
Average Recovery Time: 10 days
Post-Op Consultation: 2 months

*Procedure pricing and results with Dr. Hilinski may vary. Your personalized treatment plan and pricing will be determined at your consultation appointment.

FAQs About Neck Lift Surgery

What if I have fat in the neck but no loose skin

In the event that the buildup of fatty deposits in the neck is the primary concern, patients can choose to undergo neck liposuction instead of a full neck lift. Facial plastic surgeon John Hilinski, MD, can help you decide which procedure would be more beneficial depending on your unique needs.

Does neck lift surgery have any risks?

All surgical procedures have inherent risks; when performed by an experienced board-certified facial plastic surgeon, neck lift surgery is considered safe.3 While serious complications are rare, they include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, nerve damage, changes in skin sensation, numbness, prolonged swelling, and skin irregularities.4

Are there any non-surgical alternatives to neck lift surgery?

Yes, for individuals looking to reduce submental chin fat, we’re proud to offer Profound RF. Profound RF is a non-surgical skin tightening treatment that can lift and firm the skin on the neck. In addition, Botox can be injected into the neck bands to reduce wrinkling.

1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Who is a good candidate for neck lift surgery? Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/neck-lift/candidates. Accessed August 24, 2020.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the steps of a neck lift procedure? Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/neck-lift/procedure. Accessed August 25, 2020.
3 Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Safety and Adjuncts in Face Lifting. Available at: https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2019/09000/Safety_and_Adjuncts_in_Face_Lifting.50.aspx. Accessed August 24, 2020.

4  ASPS. What are the risks of neck lift surgery? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/neck-lift/safety. Accessed May 18, 2022.

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