Necklift (Mini & Full)

When the neck area doesn’t match the upper facial appearance, a necklift may be a good solution. A necklift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck. Because men’s skin is much heavier than women’s and tends to sag earlier, a great solution for men is the Direct Excision Necklift. In this procedure, muscle, sagging skin, and fat are removed along the front of the neck. This procedure provides the best and most durable rejuvenation for the male neck without the downsides of a traditional necklift and can be performed in the comfort of our office.

A Necklift is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck, such as:

• Excess fat and skin relaxation in the lower face that creates jowls
• Excess fatty deposits under the chin
• Loose neck skin
• Muscle banding in the neck, which created abnormal contours

The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions and stress. Some people feel they are not ready for a full facelift because the upper face is still pleasing. However, many patients will note excess wrinkling of the neck skin, a “turkey wattle” or double chin and jowl lines.

Rejuvenation procedures that can be performed in conjunction with a necklift are a brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, fat transfer, to add fullness to the lips and cheeks and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, or eyelid surgery, to rejuvenate aging eyes.

As a restorative surgery, a necklift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process.

A necklift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results but may help delay the time at which a necklift becomes appropriate and complement the results of surgery.

In general, good candidates for a necklift include:

• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations

 

Necklift Procedure

Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your necklift choices include a traditional necklift incision or a limited incision necklift.

A traditional necklift incision often begins in the hairline at the level of the sideburn, continues down and around the ear and ends in the posterior hair. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the jowls and neck. The tissue underlying the neck skin is repositioned, and commonly the platysma muscle is tightened. Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A separate incision under the chin is often necessary for liposuction of this area and for the repair of the muscle. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions. A limited incision necklift may involve incisions only around the ear. A direct incision may involve an incision in front area of your neck. While these incisions are shorter, the results may be more limited. Our Plastic surgeon will meet with you to discuss which rejuvenation options are best for you.

Recovery After Necklift

Following your physician’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery. It’s important that the incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motions during the time of healing. Our doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

Please ask your plastic surgeon any questions you may have. It’s very important to understand all aspects of your necklift. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with our plastic surgeon.

Risks & Safety Information

The decision to have a necklift is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals,
and if the risks and potential complications of a necklift are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.

Necklift surgery risks include:

• Anesthesia risks (if applicable)
• Bleeding
• Temporary or permanent hair loss along the incisions
• Facial asymmetry
• Eye irritation or dryness
• Rare nerve injury that could cause weakness of the lower lip
• Fluid accumulation (hematoma)
• Infection
• Unfavorable scarring
• Prolonged swelling
• Skin irregularities and discoloration
• Skin loss
• Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation and require removal
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing
• Rare risk of deep venous thrombosis with cardiac or pulmonary sequelae
• Unsatisfactory results which may require surgical revision

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with our plastic surgeon.

You can trust the surgical expertise of our plastic surgeon at Water’s Edge Dermatology when you’re ready!