What is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck. Patients usually seek this procedure out when they have excess wrinkling or skin around the neck or a double chin that losing weight will not eliminate.
About The Neck Lift Procedure
A neck lift is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Your Mia Aesthetics surgeon will make a small incision behind each ear. Depending on your needs and how much excess skin you have, your surgeon may also make a small third incision beneath your chin. Through these incisions, your surgeon will tighten the neck muscles and the underlying tissue by removing excess, sagging skin. The result is a smoother, firmer and more youthful looking neck.
Neck Lift/Rhytidectomy Recovery
Recovery time after a neck lift will depend on the individual and the extent of surgery. Typically, patients return to their daily activities and work within two weeks after surgery. Expect some bruising and swelling and for your neck to feel tight for a few weeks following surgery. Rest assured that these effects should subside gradually, with visible bruising typically gone after the first week, and that “tight” feeling remaining for up to several months. Your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions for recovery and aftercare to ensure a smooth, speedy recovery.
We recommend reading our complete neck lift recovery timeline to get a more comprehensive overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! We have an entire page about neck lifts for men.
Although a neck lift is generally very safe, there are always risks to major surgery. Choosing the right surgeon and following all pre-and post-operative instructions will greatly reduce the risk of complications.
Some potential risks may include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Temporary or permanent hair loss along the incisions
- Facial asymmetry
- Rare nerve injury that could cause weakness of the lower lip
- Fluid accumulation (hematoma)
- Infection
- Scarring
Unfortunately, yes. Although a neck lift may give you a rejuvenated look, it cannot stop the aging process of the skin. However, aging around the neck after a neck lift will likely be more subtle than it would without the procedure.
Incisions made during a neck lift tend to leave some scars, even if they are small incisions. However, the location of the scar and who performs the procedure can go a long way towards minimizing them. Your plastic surgeon will do their best to be discreet about the placement of incisions in order to reduce visible scarring.
If you would like to get a slender neck defining the jawline, have excess skin and fat in the neck, causing development of folds and lines, and are in good general health, you are a good candidate for a neck lift. Patients should also have a positive attitude and realistic expectations for the procedure.
Yes! We have an entire page about combining a neck lift with other procedures.