As we age, our skin does more than wrinkle. It begins to lose elasticity, which causes it to sag, resulting in a tired, aged appearance. This excess skin often collects at the jowls and neck area, sometimes even creating a “turkey wattle” appearance.Sagging skin and excess fat in the neck can also be caused by extreme weight fluctuations or genetics. Even young people can develop a “double chin” that is noticeable. Whatever the reason is for sagging skin or bands of fat on the neck and chin, it can be upsetting for those who suffer from these problems.Fortunately, there is a procedure to address these concerns: a surgery known as a necklift. While some patients elect to have the surgery as a standalone procedure, it is often advisable to consider combining a necklift with other facial rejuvenation techniques.

What a Neck Lift Involves

Necklift surgery involves a few different techniques, depending on the problems that require attention. Here are some of the ways a plastic surgeon may perform a necklift:

  • Making an incision behind the ear or under the chin to remove excess skin, along with tightening of the neck muscles for a smooth contour.
  • Liposuction under the chin to remove excess fat, combined with tightening of the muscles. Good skin tone will allow the skin to re-drape naturally.

Whichever method is used, utmost care is taken to preserve a natural appearance and reduce scarring as much as possible. Recovery from necklift surgery typically takes about seven to 10 days, with most patients returning to work in about two weeks. Final results will take up to a few months to become evident, but the patient will be able to see a difference after the initial recovery period.

Combining With Other Procedures

A necklift is well-suited to being combined with other facial surgery procedures. This is because people who exhibit signs of aging in the neck area tend to have significant aging in other areas of the face as well. For this reason, many patients elect to undergo a necklift with one or more other surgeries, the most popular being a facelift. A facelift is essentially a combination of surgical procedures that are combined for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. The two procedures so often go hand in hand, as rejuvenating the face without rejuvenating the neck can result in odd facial balance, and vice versa. By treating both the face and the neck, both areas can age consistently.

For younger necklift patients, combination procedures are not always called for. In these cases, the problem is usually isolated to the neck or under the chin, rendering additional procedures unnecessary.

Each patient is unique, of course, and the only way to tell if a necklift with another procedure is appropriate for you is to speak with a qualified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Edward Buckingham. He will assess your candidacy and make recommendations about which treatments might be a good fit for you.

Speak to an Expert

It’s important to have realistic expectations about your procedure, but it’s even more important to choose a knowledgeable surgeon who can help you get the results you’re looking for. An experienced facial plastic surgeon such as Dr. Edward Buckingham will help you achieve your facial plastic surgery goals. To learn more about procedures at Buckingham Center in Austin, call (512) 401-2500 today to schedule your consultation.


Back to Blog

Schedule A Consultation Book Your Opportunity to Learn More

Contact Us
Contact us media
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 512-222-5635.
Contact Us