Neck Lift Surgery

Loose, saggy skin on the neck and lower face is a common and obvious sign of aging that is difficult to hide or disguise. This excess, inelastic skin and an accumulation of fat in the lower face, specifically beneath the chin and jaw, may begin to appear sometime after the age of forty and will become more noticeable as time progresses.

As a means of rejuvenating the lower face and neck, a neck lift, sometimes called a lower facelift, can be performed. This procedure involves removing fat deposits from the jowls, beneath the chin and around the neck, tightening neck muscles, and removing any excess skin to achieve a sharper and more aesthetically pleasing angle between the jawline and the neck.

Before and After Neck Lift

View Neck Lift Photo Gallery

WHAT CAN A NECK LIFT ACCOMPLISH?

A neck lift can instantly remove 10 to 15 years’ worth of the effects of aging. Specifically, the surgeon will remove excess fat from the chin and neck area, tighten neck muscles, remove loose, hanging skin, address sagging jowls, improve the appearance of the jawline, and smooth out any neck banding (the rings that appear in the skin around the neck).

WHO IS AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR A NECK LIFT?

The ideal candidate for a neck lift procedure is an individual in very good health with no uncontrolled medical conditions who is concerned about the appearance of the neck and/or lower face. People with loose skin that no longer holds tight to the Adams Apple, either due to the effects of the natural aging process or due to a loss of elasticity after significant weight loss, may be appropriate candidates for a neck lift.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A NECK LIFT SURGERY?

The neck lift surgery can be performed under general or local anesthesia. During the neck lift procedure, incisions of approximately one inch in length are discreetly made under the chin and/or behind the ears. The muscles are separated from the skin, and then the muscles of the neck that have lost their elasticity over time are tightened. Next, the skin is pulled tight and any excess is trimmed away. Occasionally, if there is significant muscle laxity, a slightly longer incision is required behind the ears. Often, patients will combine other cosmetic surgery procedures such as facelift, chin lift, and/or liposuction with their neck lift.

HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY TYPICALLY TAKE?

Neck lift procedures normally take between 1 and 3 hours to perform. This may vary depending on a patient’s specific goals.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY NECK LIFT PROCEDURE?

Patients will have swelling and bruising which can last several days. Typical recovery time is 7 to 14 days, though return to strenuous activity is typically 3 to 4 weeks after the procedure.

Meet Our Surgeons

• Daniela Atencio, MD (Downtown Austin)
• Amy Bekanich, MD (Domain Northside)
• Minas Constantinides, MD, FACS (Lamar Central)
• Cameron Craven, MD, FACS (Westlake)
• Timothy McGee, MD (Round Rock)

How Much Does Neck Lift Surgery Cost?

The cost of neck lift procedures varies due to differences in techniques used and overall procedure complexity. Learn more about the cost of neck lift surgery

Additional Neck Lift Resources

• Neck Lift versus Neck Liposuction: What’s The Difference?
• Neck Bands Treatment and Prevention Options
• Neck Lift Recovery: Timeline, Tips, & What To Expect
• Correcting A Sagging Jawline with Platysmaplasty
• Get Rid Of Your Double Chin (Effective Non-Surgical & Surgical Options)
• Facelift vs. Neck Lift: What’s the difference?
• Facelift: How Much Younger Can You Look?