At the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Edward Buckingham, Dr. Erin Smith, and Dr. Hudson Frey devote their practice exclusively to facial plastic surgery. Serving Austin for more than 20 years, our approach is grounded in careful analysis, technical precision, and straightforward consultation. A strategic approach to full face rejuvenation means evaluating how aging affects the eyelids, jawline, and neck together, then correcting those changes in a coordinated way that maintains your natural appearance. Because the eyelids and neck often age at the same pace, combining blepharoplasty with a neck lift that includes platysmaplasty can provide a more complete and efficient correction than addressing either area alone. In this blog, we outline why this combined approach often leads to more balanced, lasting results.
Why Treating the Eyes and Neck Together Matters
The eyelids are thin and structurally delicate, which makes early changes more noticeable. Redundant upper eyelid skin can weigh down the lid crease, while lower eyelid fat prominence produces puffiness and shadowing. Concurrently, the neck may develop visible banding as the platysma muscles separate, and skin laxity can soften the jawline.
When one region is corrected and the other is not, contrast can unintentionally draw attention to the untreated area. Addressing both during a coordinated surgical plan allows the upper face and neckline to age in harmony again. The change is often subtle in isolation, but powerful when viewed as a whole.
Eyelid Surgery as a Structural Reset
Blepharoplasty requires more than skin removal. Proper planning considers brow support, eyelid tone, orbital fat position, and the relationship between the lower eyelid and cheek. Our surgeons tailor upper and lower eyelid techniques based on these findings rather than applying a uniform method.
Our approach may include:
- Upper eyelid refinement: Measured removal of redundant skin with conservative fat contouring to reestablish a defined lid crease while preserving closure and function.
- Lower eyelid contour correction: Use of a transconjunctival approach when appropriate to reposition or reduce fat without disrupting the external muscle layer.
- Volume balance: Careful tissue management to maintain a smooth transition from lower eyelid to upper cheek and avoid hollowing.
The goal is clarity and support around the eyes, not alteration of eye shape or expression.
Neck Lift and Platysmaplasty for Lower Facial Definition
The neck anchors the lower third of the face. Fat beneath the chin, muscle laxity, and excess skin can blur this foundation. A neck lift corrects these concerns at their source.
Key components may include:
- Targeted fat reduction: Submental liposuction or excision to refine contour beneath the chin.
- Muscle reapproximation: Platysmaplasty to tighten and support separated platysma muscles, reducing vertical banding.
- Skin management: Precise redraping and excision techniques designed to keep incisions discreet and tension controlled.
By addressing both muscle and skin, the jawline regains sharper definition that aligns with rejuvenated eyelids.
Surgical Planning, Anesthesia, and Recovery Efficiency
When blepharoplasty and neck lift surgery are performed together, operative sequencing is carefully structured. Upper eyelid surgery may be completed under local anesthesia with or without oral sedation, whereas lower eyelid procedures and neck surgery typically require IV sedation. In our Quad A accredited surgical suite, cases are coordinated to maintain efficiency while upholding strict safety standards with board-certified anesthesiologists and an experienced perioperative team.
Combining procedures often means one surgical date and one primary recovery period. Swelling and bruising around the eyes and neck typically improve within the first two weeks, and many patients resume professional activities during that timeframe. Consolidating treatment can therefore reduce overall downtime compared with staging procedures months apart.
Precision Through Specialization
A strategic approach to full face rejuvenation depends on experience focused solely on facial anatomy. Through fellowship leadership, advanced eyelid training, and decades of cumulative surgical practice, Dr. Buckingham, Dr. Smith, and Dr. Frey approach blepharoplasty and neck lift surgery with discipline and restraint. If you are considering eyelid surgery, platysmaplasty, or a comprehensive rejuvenation plan, schedule a consultation at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Austin to receive a detailed facial analysis and a treatment strategy designed specifically for you.
