Neck Lift Cosmetic Surgeon San Diego

Tighter Facial Skin & Natural-Looking Results

Neck Lift San Diego

Aesthetically, most agree that the attractive neck clearly separates from the face above at a well defined smooth jawline. The neck skin surface itself is smooth, free of fixed horizontal lines or creases and without vertical bowstringing bands. From the profile view, there is a well localized demarcation between vertical neck and horizontal line beneath the jaw, without bulging or sagging. Extra loose skin, sagging muscle, and bulging or descending fat may detract from the aesthetic ideal. Our approach is to determine what anatomy is causing the problem, and to plan the most successful and least invasive approach to improve or correct it. Neck lift is our specialty!

For a trim and aesthetically distinct neck contour, neck lift is a solution for women and men of any age.

Extra neck fat causes fullness, or a “double chin” which may be an inherited trait. Neck lift is the best approach for complete removal of excess neck fat, although liposuction is an alternative. Loose sagging neck skin and one or two drooping bands of muscle beneath the chin are features of the aging neck that properly performed neck lift improves or corrects.

Visible neck aging involves three tissues: fat, skin, and muscle. Loss of jaw line definition by facial sagging from above causes jowls to impose themselves and obscure the clean lines and shapes of the youthful face. Muscles beneath neck skin relax over time, loosen, and gravitationally sag. Fat of the neck also descends gravitationally. Loss of skin elasticity, deepening wrinkles from constant neck motion, and sun damage are skin changes that progress over many years. Genetics and weight fluctuations influence neck appearance. Even when the skin on your face remains firm, smooth, and youthful-looking, your neck may disclose more advanced aging.

Dr. Laverson’s neck lift procedure is comprehensive, and corrects most or all cosmetic issues of the neck and lower face. Every patient is unique, so each neck lift is individually planned and performed to solve the specific situation presented. Your neck and your desired outcome is evaluated at your office consultation with Dr. Laverson. Treatment alternatives are discussed, and the best procedure for you is recommended. Neck lift offers reliable improvement of degenerating cosmetic features including:

Loose hanging skin or fat
A “double chin” or heavy, full, bulging neck
Vertical bands bow-stringing below the chin
Wrinkled or sagging neck skin
Interruption of a smooth jawline by descending cheek jowls
Any combination of the above features

Neck lift is a stand-alone procedure for visible signs of aging in the neck and lower face, or neck lift may be performed in combination with other cosmetic procedures for more complete neck and facial rejuvenation.

For smaller amounts of superficial fat or mild skin looseness, Dr. Laverson recommends office procedures such as liposculpture, Thermi-RF skin tightening, or both liposculpture and Thermi-RF. These procedures are less invasive and recovery is quicker. Injectable filler, tretinoin, neuromodulator (e.g. Botox®), or Kybella® are also less invasive alternatives that may apply for your situation.

What is a neck lift?

Neck lift is a surgical procedure that: 1. Smooths and tightens the jawline; 2. Corrects visible signs of neck aging; 3. Removes extra fat of the neck; 4. Minimize the appearance of jowls; 5. Soften visible bands, lines, and wrinkles for more youthful neck contour. The goal of a neck lift is to correct whatever about your neck appearance is bothering you, to establish a clearly visible and youthful separation of neck from face, and to improve neck appearance by:

Removing excess fat and skin
Tighten neck skin and underlying muscles
Restore youthful jawline contours
Smooth neck skin without creases, irregularities, bands, or wrinkles
Stabilizing the above neck features for a permanently youthful neck

Dr. Laverson recommends an “open” neck lift performed under general anesthesia, with minimal incision and a quick recovery time.

Am I a good candidate for a neck lift?

Neck lifts are often for men and women who are 40 years or older, but you may be a good candidate for a neck lift if you’re over 18 and:

Have a full, fat neck without clear separation from your face
Are in good general health
Have realistic expectations for the procedure

For smaller amounts of superficial fat or mild skin looseness, Dr. Laverson recommends office procedures such as liposculpture, Thermi-RF skin tightening, or a combination. For fine lines and wrinkles on the neck, Dr. Laverson recommends using prescription-strength GOLD cream at night, or a chemical peel in our office.

For men with a “turkey neck” or “gobbler” of skin and muscle who wish to avoid a formal neck lift, an open neck lift performed with an anterior approach can work well. “Before and after” photos showing results for these procedures are in the neck and face gallery at feelbeautiful.com.

Benefits of a neck lift

Sagging neck skin is obvious to all, and a clearly visible label of aging. Neck lift is among the best procedures to restore youth and energy to your appearance. Benefits of a neck lift include:

Slims and tones the neck for rejuvenated youthful appearance
Shrinks and permanently removes double chins
Accomplishes what diet and exercise can’t
Minimal scarring and short recovery time
Improved self-confidence and self-image

Neck lift also complements facelift or blepharoplasty (eyelid rejuvenation surgery), which repairs droopy eyelids and sagging excess skin under the eyes.

Neck lift surgery procedure at Feel Beautiful Plastic Surgery Clinic

During your in-office consultation, Dr. Laverson plastic surgeon in San Diego examines your neck and explains what should be adjusted to improve neck definition and to create or restore a beautiful neck. Your questions will be answered, we discuss reasonable expectations for your neck lift results, and a surgery date is scheduled.

Specifics of each neck lift procedure depend on your individual needs, but the operation typically takes 2-3 hours. Every patient is respectfully cared for by Dr. Laverson and our experienced nursing and anesthesia professionals.

Once you are safely under general anesthesia, Dr. Laverson skillfully incorporates proven techniques with precision and artistry to improve and correct cosmetic neck issues of your skin, fat, and muscle. A small opening under the chin or behind the bottom of your ear provides exposure for the changes. Removal of excess fat, sculpting of neck contours, tightening and eliminating muscular bands, and lifting and stabilizing sagging skin for elegant and youthful definition complete the procedure. Necklift results are lifelong, and may be dramatic.

After the procedure, your neck and chin may be wrapped in an elastic bandage, which provides support while allowing your skin to adapt to your lifted and tighter neck. It’s normal to experience some bruising and swelling, but once that subsides, skin smooths naturally for a youthful appearance.

Neck Lift FAQs

What is the recovery time for a neck lift?

Total recovery time from a neck lift will depend on the patient, but in general you can expect return to most normal activities within 2 weeks. For best results, it’s important to follow all post-operative instructions carefully, including:

Wear your compression bandage as directed
Relax, and use pain medication on the prescribed schedule
Apply cold compresses if advised to control pain and swelling, but do not put ice directly onto your skin
Keep your head elevated on pillows to minimize swelling
Avoid strenuous activities

Most patients return to work within two weeks, but if your job involves strenuous physical activity, you may need to wait a little longer. Check with Dr. Laverson before returning to work. Stitches are absorbable, so they dissolve over time. Once you heal fully, the fine linear scars will be secretly hidden beneath your chin or in the crease your ears.

What can be done for a “double chin?

The best treatment depends on your skin elasticity, the amount fat causing the double chin, and your preferences. If you have good skin tone (elasticity), neck fat can be removed with gentle liposuction, an office procedure. Liposuction may be combined with Thermi-RF skin tightening. This improves contour and definition of the neck, but not as much as formal (open) neck lift surgery. If skin elasticity is poor (sagging skin), necklift with or without facelift offers the best result. Necklift requires general anesthesia, so is more expensive, but results may be dramatically better. Liposuction addresses excess superficial fat only, while necklift removes superficial and deep fat, tightens neck muscles, and redistributes and removes excess skin. For men with significant excess skin, necklift can sometimes be accomplished by a direct approach.

How much does a neck lift cost?

Neck lifts in the San Diego area cost $200 – $300/month if financed, depending on the surgeon and other factors including:

Type of anesthesia or sedation used (nurse anesthetist, nurse, and local anesthesia less expensive than Board Certified Anesthesiologist)
Surgery Center fees (less quality and less safety is generally is less expensive)
Qualifications of your surgeon (less qualified often discount prices
How comprehensive your procedure must be to achieve your desired result (longer more complex procedures are more expensive).

During your in-office consultation, the Feel Beautiful concierge surgical coordinator provides information, presents financing choices, and helps arrange payment for your neck lift surgery.