What to Expect After a Neck Lift?

You may not notice it at first, but your neck often starts to show signs of aging before your face. The thin neck skin and underlying structures are constantly stretched and folded as you move your head, leading to loose skin and neck bands. Stubborn fat can also accumulate in this area. A neck lift at Specialty Aesthetic Surgery tightens loose skin and separated muscles to provide a slimmer, more sculpted neckline.

What is a Neck Lift?

The neck, jawline, and area under the chin are some of the most common problem areas for men and women. Loose skin in this area can give your lower face an aged, droopy appearance. A neck lift is performed to tighten and smooth the skin, repair the muscles that lead to the appearance of neck bands, and remove unwanted fat under the chin (submental fat). Each neck lift is a customized procedure designed to address your unique concerns.

How is a Neck Lift Performed?

Each neck lift is different depending on your concerns. Incisions are made under the chin or behind the ears and used to lift and tighten the skin. Your surgeon will also use these incisions to repair the platysmal muscles in your neck, which create the appearance of neck bands when they become separated. Neck liposuction is used if needed to address excess fat under your chin and around the neck area. The procedure can take up to five hours.

What to Expect After a Neck Lift

The recovery time needed after your neck lift depends on many factors, including how in-depth your procedure is and whether you have other procedures done at the same time. Once healed, neck lift results are long-lasting and provide you with dramatically improved contours.

Recovery

Soreness, swelling, and a feeling of tightness are common after a neck lift. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication as needed, and most people feel significantly better after the first few days. If you have a less invasive neck lift, you may be able to return to work in about a week, but most people should expect to take ten days to two weeks off.

You will receive detailed instructions for aftercare, including how to clean your small incisions and what to expect as your recovery continues. You will have the support of your Specialty Aesthetic Surgery team throughout the process. Most people can return to their usual activities, including their exercise routine, after four to six weeks.

Results

You will usually be able to see a difference in your neck immediately after your procedure. However, the area will have some swelling for the next several weeks. Your full results become visible as the swelling fades. The feeling of tightness also resolves within the first few weeks.

Neck lift results are long-lasting, with most people happy with their results for ten to fifteen years or longer. While your neck will still look slimmer and more shapely than it would have without the procedure, the effects of aging will eventually cause skin laxity and other effects.

Is a Neck Lift Right For Me?

If you have concerns about the appearance of your neck area, a neck lift is one of several options. Your surgeon will discuss your goals and recommend the procedure most likely to provide your ideal results.

Submentoplasty

People whose concerns are in their earlier stages may benefit from a less invasive version of a neck called submentoplasty. This procedure tightens the area under the chin and uses liposuction to remove excess fat, providing a more sculpted, tighter appearance to the neck and chin.

Neck Liposuction

If you have excess fat under your chin but still have good skin elasticity, you may benefit from neck liposuction instead of a neck lift. Removing unwanted fat allows your skin to tighten and rebound, slimming the area without the need for invasive skin lifting. This procedure is ideal for younger individuals with elastic skin.

Facelift

If your concerns about your neck extend to your jawline and lower face, you may benefit from a facelift combined with a neck lift. These two procedures are often combined for maximum anti-aging results, correcting the appearance of jowls and providing a more contoured, lifted appearance.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?

Only a consultation and review of your medical history can determine whether you are a good candidate for a neck lift. Candidates should have reasonable expectations and no major health problems. A neck lift is an excellent option for anyone who wants to correct loose skin or neck bands and achieve a more sculpted appearance.

Take the Next Step – Request a Consultation

Want to learn more about a neck lift? Schedule your consultation online or by calling Specialty Aesthetic Surgery at (212) 737-8700. We look forward to working with you!

Specialty Aesthetic Surgery serves the greater NYC metro area.

About Our Surgeons

Bruce Moskowitz is an experienced and board-certified oculoplastic surgeon. His practice encompasses all areas of oculoplastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He has a well-known reputation for revision surgery, and a large portion of his practice comes from other colleagues to revise sub-optimal outcomes.

Grigoriy Mashkevich is an experienced and double-board certified facial plastic surgeon. He belongs to a highly select group of surgeons with a focused specialization in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the nose, face, and neck.

Dr. Anna Frants is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who is experienced in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Her areas of expertise include surgery of the face, neck, nose, eyelids, eyebrows, and ears.

*Individual results may vary