Neck Lift Surgery

Overview

What is a neck lift?

Many people find that their neck shows signs of aging well before the rest of their face. Heredity and weight loss can also impact the appearance of the neck. Common concerns include horizontal bands or lines, loose-hanging skin, and excess fat deposits which give the neck an undesired appearance. Fortunately, a neck lift can minimize these effects by lifting and tightening the soft tissues of the neck giving patients a firmer and more youthful-looking neck.

Cost of neck lift surgery

The average cost of neck lift surgery is $5,110 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), however this only includes the surgeon’s fee.

There are several factors that influence the cost of your procedure, these may include:

• Surgeon’s Fee: The experience and reputation of your plastic surgeon will influence the overall cost of your procedure. In general, highly skilled and in-demand surgeons may charge a premium for their services. However, in many cases the extra expense is worth it to ensure a positive experience and successful outcome. In fact, a study published of nearly 37,000 patients found that patient satisfaction after plastic surgery is most affected by surgeon-related factors, such as the level of confidence in the surgeon and the surgeon’s concern for the patient’s questions and concerns.
• Anesthesia Fees: The administration of anesthesia involves the expertise of an anesthesiologist. These fees can vary as well based on the type of anesthesia used, the duration of the procedure, and the qualifications of your anesthesia provider.
• Surgical Facility: The surgical facility where your neck lift is being performed may impact the cost. These fees cover the usage of the operating room and other associated services. To ensure a safe experience, check to see if your surgical facility is certified by the Accreditation Associations for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
• Location Matters: The average cost for medical services can vary from one geographic location to another. In general, urban areas tend to have higher fees compared to rural areas. If you want to get a rough idea of the prices for medical procedures in your local area, you can use the Healthcare Blue Book, which functions similarly to Kelley Blue Book for estimating car prices.
• Medical Care: These fees typically include any pre or post op appointments, tests, medications, surgical garments or any other items associated with your neck lift procedure.
• Added Procedures: You may incur extra expenses if you’re contemplating having other cosmetic surgeries alongside your neck lift, such as a facelift, brow lift or rhinoplasty.

When adding up these various factors, the total average cost of neck lift surgery can range from $5,000 to $12,000. If you are considering neck lift surgery, setup a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon near you. This will allow you to discuss your aesthetic goals and obtain a better understanding of the specific costs involved.

What does a neck lift do?

The targeted results of a neck lift include:

• A smooth, contoured neckline
• Improved skin firmness
• Elimination of saggy skin on neck
• Enhanced overall appearance
• A more youthful look
• A more defined jawline
• Improved balance of facial features.

Are you a candidate?

If you are not ready for a full facelift but want to rejuvenate your neckline and skin quality, a neck lift is a viable treatment option.

People who are healthy nonsmokers with no medical conditions that impair healing are good candidates for neck lifts.

It is important to discuss options and expectations with your plastic surgeon to keep a positive outlook and achieve desired results.

The pesky platysma

The platysma is the muscle that stretches like a broad sheet from the collarbone to the jaw. It functions in creating facial expressions. During the youthful years, it appears relatively smooth and flat; its name in Greek actually means flat plate.

As the neck ages, the platysma begins to take on the appearance of bands, or cordlike vertical tendons which causes the neck to look aged. These vertical bands can intersect the horizontal neck creases, which further punctuate the sagging look.

In most neck lift procedures, the plastic surgeon will tighten the platysma muscle.

Types of neck lifts

A neck lift is a surgical procedure with the goal of creating a more youthful appearance of the neck. Plastic surgeons may use a variety of different approaches based on the individual’s goals, anatomy, and skin condition.

Neck lift recovery compression garment photo courtesy of www.NouvelleInc.com

• Lower rhytidectomy: the gold standard in neck lifts, this technique involves liposuction, submentoplasty, skin removal, and pulling skin tighter.
• Submentoplasty: this less invasive technique involves an incision, liposuction, surgery on the platysma muscle, and no skin removal.

When to see final results?

You can expect to see immediate results as soon as the surgical dressing comes off, however it may take several weeks or months of healing time before you will see your final results. On average, final results should be apparent in 3 to 6 months.

How long will your results last?

Safety information

There are potential risks and side effects associated with neck lift surgery. Some of these include:

• Infection
• Scarring
• Hematomas
• Seromas (collections of fluid under the surface of the skin)
• Prolonged swelling
• Skin irregularities and discoloration
• Numbness, facial nerve damage
• Poor wound healing.

Speak with your plastic surgeon about all the potential risks before moving forward with surgery.

Non-surgical neck lift alternatives

There are many other treatment options that exist to treat aging, saggy skin around the neck but may have limited effect depending on the degree of skin sagging and excess fat deposits. Some non-surgical neck lift options include:

• CoolSculpting (CoolMini): Coolsculpting is a device designed that freezes and eliminates fat cells through a process referred to as cryolipolysis.
• Injectable Neuromodulators: Injections are used to help tighten the look of the neck (Botox, Dysport, etc)
• Injectable Dermal Fillers: Fillers add mass that helps plump up and fill in wrinkles. When injected along the jawline, fillers can also help lift the skin and make it appear tighter. Examples of fillers used for the neck include Juvederm Volbella and Restylane Silk and Refyne.
• Ultherapy: Ultherapy is a type of ultrasound technology that lifts and tightens skin.
• Laser Treatments: Laser procedures stimulate collagen production. As a result, skin gradually appears smoother and more vibrant in the treatment area.
• ThermiTight: A minimally invasive method that tightens loose skin and deeper tissues. It is commonly used in the neck and lower face to lift the jowls. ThermiTight is sometimes combined with liposuction for fat removal.
• Kybella: Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable that eliminates fat cells under the chin to improve your profile.

Are you ready to take the next step? Find an experienced plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

To learn more about neck lift surgery, visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) website.

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