Neck Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New York, NY
A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a transformative procedure designed to rejuvenate the neck by reducing signs of aging, such as sagging skin, muscle banding, and unwanted fat deposits under the chin.
Dr. Jennifer Levine, a top-rated facial plastic surgeon in NYC, combines a deep plane neck lift with a lower facelift to provide comprehensive facial rejuvenation. This approach ensures harmony between the face and neck, resulting in a balanced, naturally youthful appearance. Whether you’re struggling with a “turkey neck,” deep vertical neck bands, or a lack of jawline definition, Dr. Levine’s technique offers a refined and seamless improvement.
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Benefits of a Neck Lift
- Improved Neck Contour: A deep plane neck lift restores a smooth, refined neckline by eliminating sagging skin and tightening underlying muscles, creating a more attractive and youthful profile.
- Reduction of Neck Bands: By addressing the prominent vertical neck bands caused by aging platysma muscles, a neck lift delivers a seamless, elegant look that reduces the appearance of “turkey neck.”
- Enhanced Jawline Definition: Removing excess skin and fat along the jawline results in a sharper, more defined jaw contour, which enhances overall facial balance.
- Elimination of Loose, Sagging Skin: Dr. Levine tightens and lifts lax skin on the neck, reducing drooping and restoring a firm, rejuvenated appearance.
- Long-Lasting Results: Neck lift results are long-lasting, with patients enjoying a more youthful neck and jawline for years, making it an enduring solution to aging concerns.
- Boosted Confidence: A smoother, more contoured neck profile can enhance self-confidence and help patients feel revitalized and refreshed.
- Natural-Looking Enhancement: With her expertise and aesthetic precision, Dr. Levine delivers results that look natural and harmonious, ensuring that the neck lift complements each patient’s unique facial features.
Neck Lift Candidates
Deciding to undergo a deep plane neck lift is a highly personal decision, often influenced by specific aesthetic concerns and a desire for a more youthful neck and jawline. Those who are most likely to experience excellent outcomes from a neck lift typically include individuals who:
- Notice Moderate to Severe Signs of Aging in the Neck: Ideal candidates often have visible signs of aging, such as sagging skin, pronounced vertical bands, or excess fat beneath the chin (commonly known as a “double chin”). A neck lift can address these concerns by tightening loose skin and underlying muscles, creating a defined, rejuvenated neckline.
- Have Good Skin Elasticity: While a neck lift can improve sagging skin, some degree of natural skin elasticity can enhance the results, allowing for a smoother, more natural contour after surgery.
- Are at a Stable Weight: Maintaining a stable weight both before and after the procedure helps ensure long-lasting results. Weight fluctuations can impact skin and tissue elasticity, potentially diminishing the effects of the neck lift.
- Are in Good Overall Health: To undergo any surgical procedure, patients should be in good health. This includes managing any medical conditions that could hinder recovery or increase surgical risks. Dr. Levine prioritizes the safety and well-being of her patients, and she assesses each individual’s health to determine suitability for surgery.
- Have Realistic Expectations: Understanding the capabilities and limitations of a neck lift is essential. Ideal candidates have realistic goals and understand that while a neck lift can significantly rejuvenate the neck area, it cannot stop the natural aging process.
- Non-Smokers or Willing to Quit: Smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of complications during recovery. Candidates who are non-smokers or willing to quit smoking both before and after the procedure are ideal to minimize risks and support optimal healing.
- Desire Long-Term Solutions: While non-surgical options can provide temporary improvements, a neck lift offers a more enduring result. Candidates seeking a solution with long-lasting effects on their neck’s appearance often find a neck lift to be the best option.
Dr. Levine will assess your candidacy during a one-on-one consultation, taking into account your unique aesthetic concerns, health history, and goals. To schedule a consultation and learn more about whether a neck lift is right for you, contact Dr. Levine’s office online or by calling (212) 517-9400.
Personal Consultation
Dr. Levine’s approach to neck lift surgery emphasizes tailored, individualized care. The consultation is a critical first step in ensuring a neck lift is the right solution for your aesthetic goals. During this appointment, Dr. Levine will review your medical history, discuss your specific neck and jawline concerns, and conduct a detailed examination. She’ll assess factors such as skin quality, muscle tone, and fat distribution in the neck and under the chin, allowing her to determine the best approach for your unique anatomy.
Beyond physical evaluation, Dr. Levine considers lifestyle and personal preferences to create a customized treatment plan. With her 25+ years of surgical expertise and an artistic eye, she will guide you toward the most effective approach to deliver results that look balanced and natural. This consultation allows you to explore all options, ask questions, and feel confident moving forward.
Preparation
Our team provides comprehensive preoperative instructions to help ensure a smooth neck lift experience and optimal results. Preparing thoroughly can enhance recovery and support the best outcomes.
In the Weeks Leading Up to Your Neck Lift:
- Avoid specific medications and supplements as advised, especially those that may increase bleeding risks.
- Cease all nicotine products several weeks before surgery and during the healing period, as smoking can impair recovery.
- Fill prescriptions for any pain management or antibiotic medications in advance.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
- Plan time off work and other responsibilities to ensure adequate rest and recovery time.
Day of Your Neck Lift:
- Avoid all food and drinks, including water, on the morning of surgery.
- Remove any contact lenses; glasses are acceptable.
- Choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t need to be pulled over the head to avoid unnecessary movement post-surgery.
Procedure
At Levine Center for Plastic Surgery, we prioritize patient safety, comfort, and precision. This includes performing neck lift surgery in our comfortable, state-of-the-art private surgical suite. This environment is designed to provide a calming experience and to meet the highest standards of surgical care. The neck lift is typically done under general anesthesia, ensuring a pain-free procedure from start to finish.
During the procedure, Dr. Levine makes careful incisions behind the ears and, if necessary, under the chin to minimize visible scarring. These incisions give her access to lift and tighten the underlying neck muscles, reposition or remove excess skin, and refine the neck contour through chin liposuction if desired.
For patients with prominent vertical bands, Dr. Levine may also perform a platysmaplasty to address and tighten the platysma muscles. This comprehensive approach results in a youthful, naturally contoured neck profile with enhanced jawline definition. Depending on the level of correction needed, a neck lift procedure can take approximately 1 to 3 hours, after which patients recover in the same state-of-the-art suite before heading home.
Recovery
Following surgery, you will wake from anesthesia in a comfortable, supervised recovery area. While mild disorientation or temporary nausea may occur, these effects are short-lived. Bruising, swelling, and tenderness in the neck area are normal and generally subside within days to weeks. Dr. Levine’s team is available to answer any questions and ensure you are comfortable throughout recovery.
Recovery Tips and Recommendations:
- Limit Physical Activity: Refrain from strenuous activities for at least 2-3 weeks, and resume light activity only as advised by Dr. Levine.
- Protect the Area: Use sunblock and avoid direct sun exposure to protect healing skin.
- Follow Bandage Guidelines: Keep any bandages intact until Dr. Levine removes them during your follow-up visit.
- Medication: Follow all medication instructions to support healing and minimize discomfort.
Sutures are typically removed within 5 to 9 days, and a light bandage may be applied to support the neck contour. Dr. Levine will provide customized guidance based on your progress to ensure a smooth recovery.
Results
Neck lift results develop gradually as swelling decreases, with initial improvements visible within a week and continued refinement over several months. The procedure provides a significant yet natural-looking enhancement, delivering a smoother, more defined neck and jawline. Patients enjoy long-lasting rejuvenation with proper care and a healthy lifestyle.
Corresponding & Combination Procedures
For a fully rejuvenated and harmonious neck and facial profile, Dr. Levine often recommends complementary procedures that can be performed in conjunction with a neck lift:
- Platysmaplasty: Platysmaplasty is a specialized surgical technique focused on tightening the platysma muscles, which can become more prominent with age, creating vertical bands in the neck. By addressing these muscles directly, platysmaplasty reduces the appearance of neck bands and smooths the overall neck contour, enhancing the results of a neck lift for a more youthful, graceful neckline.
- Chin Liposuction: Chin liposuction precisely removes excess fat deposits under the chin to refine and sculpt the jawline. This targeted procedure is often combined with a neck lift to enhance jawline definition, reduce the appearance of a “double chin,” and create a smoother, more contoured transition from the face to the neck. Chin liposuction is ideal for patients seeking a sleek, sculpted profile.
- Nefertiti Neck Lift: The Nefertiti Neck Lift is a non-surgical neck rejuvenation treatment that uses carefully placed Botox injections along the jawline and platysma muscles. By relaxing these muscles, the Nefertiti Neck Lift creates a more defined jawline and softens the neck’s appearance without the need for surgery. This popular option is ideal for patients looking for subtle refinements and a smoother, more elegant neckline.
- Ultherapy Prime: Ultherapy is often referred to as the ultrasound facelift as it uses ultrasound to target deep layers of tissue, including the SMAS, to gradually lift and tighten the skin by stimulating natural collagen production. This option is ideal for those looking for mild to moderate neck skin tightening without surgery, making it a valuable addition for maintaining neck lift results or for those not yet ready for surgical intervention.
- Emface Submentum: Emface is a cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment that combines radiofrequency energy with high-intensity facial muscle stimulation to target the submental (under-chin) area. This dual-action technology not only lifts and firms the skin but also helps reduce fat deposits, enhancing jawline definition and providing a smoother, more contoured neck profile. Emface is particularly effective for patients seeking to address mild sagging, skin laxity, and excess stubborn fat in the submentum area without surgery, making it a powerful complement to a neck lift for maintaining youthful, sculpted contours.
FAQ
- What is the ideal age for a neck lift? While there’s no ideal age, most neck lift candidates are in their 40s to 60s. A neck lift is beneficial for anyone experiencing visible aging, sagging, or neck muscle banding.
- Will the neck lift leave scars? Dr. Levine carefully places incisions behind the ears and sometimes under the chin to minimize visible scarring. Scars typically fade over time and are well-concealed.
- How long do the results last? With proper care and maintenance, neck lift results can last 10 years or more.
- Can I combine a neck lift with other procedures? Yes, a neck lift is often combined with other treatments like facelifts, platysmaplasty, chin liposuction, and non-surgical options such as Ultherapy or Emface for a more comprehensive outcome.
- Is a neck lift painful? Some discomfort is normal, but this can be managed with prescribed medications. Dr. Levine’s team is available to support a comfortable recovery experience.
