Neck lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Antonio, TX
A neck lift, or platysmaplasty, is a surgical procedure aimed at enhancing the appearance and contours of the neck. (1) This treatment specifically targets sagging skin, excess fat, and muscle bands that can become pronounced due to aging or genetic factors. (1)
The neck is one of the first areas to show signs of aging, including vertical bands, horizontal creases, sagging skin, and jowls, all of which contribute to an aged appearance that is commonly referred to as a “turkey neck.” A neck lift rejuvenates the neck while improving the contour of the jawline by tightening the skin and underlying muscles. If you have been feeling self-conscious about your neck and feel that it does not match your ideal image, a neck lift may provide the transformation you desire.
Drs. Dallas Homas and Lisa Brostrom of New Image Plastic Surgery are among San Antonio’s leading plastic surgeons. Through their countless years of experience, they have helped numerous patients improve their appearance and optimize their confidence with attentive care and personalized treatments.
Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form and begin your journey toward a rejuvenated neck. If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call either Dr. Homas at (210) 640-6310 or Dr. Brostrom at (210) 607-6316.
Contents
Dr. Homas, MD Gallery
Before and After Photos
Dr. Brostrom, MD Gallery
Before and After Photos
About Neck Lifts
The neck has several important components to consider during a neck lift, including muscles, fat, skin, and connective tissue. These structures change significantly as we age. Genetics, sun exposure, lifestyle choices, and the effects of gravity all contribute to these changes. (1)
During the aging process, skin loses collagen and elastin, two proteins vital for maintaining skin’s firmness and elasticity. This loss leads to loose or sagging skin and fullness under the chin. Additionally, muscle fibers in the neck, particularly the platysma muscle, can weaken and separate, creating an appearance sometimes referred to as “turkey neck.”
Neck lift surgery can help rejuvenate this area by tightening skin, removing excess fat through techniques like submental liposuction, and correcting muscle banding with procedures such as platysmaplasty. (2) The goal of a neck lift is to create a more youthful appearance that enhances the individual’s features and complements their facial aesthetics.
A neck lift is designed for individuals who wish to regain their youthful look, feel more confident in social situations, or simply re-establish harmonius contours between their neck and lower face.
Benefits
A neck lift offers patients numerous advantages that can all improve their quality of life. Under the expertise of the New Image Plastic Surgery team, our neck lift patients see improvements through:
- Increased confidence: Patients often experience enhanced self-esteem after their neck lift, feeling more confident with their appearance.
- Youthful appearance: The procedure combats visible signs of aging, providing a fresh and youthful look.
- Improved neck contours: A neck lift creates smoother transitions between the jawline and neck, leading to a contoured profile.
- Reduced “turkey neck”: By tightening skin and muscles, the appearance of sagging skin is markedly improved.
- Enhanced jawline definition: A noticeable improvement in the jawline contributes to a well-defined facial structure. Optimizing jawline definition usually requires a combination face and necklift to achieve a harmonious rejuvenation as the fibroconnective layer (SMAS) of the face is in continuity with the platysma layer of the neck.
- Skin tightening: The removal of excess skin can lead to a firmer and tighter neck, eliminating wrinkles and folds.
- Long-lasting results: Unlike temporary solutions, a neck lift provides enduring outcomes that can last for years.
- Minimized scarring: Incisions are strategically placed to be inconspicuous, allowing for a more natural result.
Candidates
Those who desire a more elegant neck and wish to minimize excess skin and fat under the chin and in the neck area are eligible for a neck lift. The neck lift can also achieve a more distinct jawline for those desiring more definition in this area, but this normally requires a simultaneous facelift. Ideal candidates are healthy nonsmokers with realistic expectations about the outcome of their procedure. A consultation with Dr. Homas or Dr. Brostrom can help you decide whether this procedure is right for you.
Personal Consultation
The neck lift process begins with a personal consultation to evaluate your individual needs and aesthetic goals. During this visit, either Dr. Homas or Dr. Brostrom will review your medical history, discuss any concerns you may have, and conduct a physical examination of your face and neck.
This examination focuses on assessing the condition of your skin, muscle tone, and the presence of excess fat, allowing us to develop a personalized treatment plan. You will also receive information regarding the potential outcome, alternatives, and details about the neck lift procedure.
Schedule your consultation to begin your neck lift transformation. You can contact us by submitting our online contact form. Alternatively, you may call (210) 640-6310 to schedule with Dr. Dallas Homas or (210) 607-6316 to schedule with Dr. Lisa Brostrom.
Preparation
Preparation plays a critical role in ensuring a successful neck lift. After scheduling your surgery, you will receive detailed preoperative instructions which should be followed closely. These steps will establish the groundwork for a smooth procedure and recovery. Patients should cease taking blood-thinning medications as directed, and those who consume nicotine products must refrain for weeks before and after their procedure. You will receive prescriptions for pain medications and anti-nausea medication, and you will need to fill these before your procedure. As anesthesia is used in these procedures, patients will be required to fast and arrange transportation home. Finally, please allocate sufficient recovery time away from work and other obligations.
Procedure
On the day of your neck lift, you will meet with Dr. Homas or Dr. Brostrom to finalize any details. Patients will receive a combination of sedation and local anesthesia. Incisions will be made beneath the chin and/or behind the ears to facilitate access to underlying structures. Your surgeon will remove excess skin and tighten underlying muscles. If necessary, the surgeon can also remove excess fat under the chin with either direct excision or with liposuction. Finally, the incisions will be closed with sutures and dressings will be applied. The procedure may take two to four hours, depending on the scope of work. (2)
Recovery
After a neck lift, the neck will be bruised and you may have sensations of swelling, tightness, and numbness. Much of the bruising should resolve within two weeks, but tightness and numbness may remain for several months. Patients can usually return to daily activities, including work, within about two weeks, but this depends on the physical demands of the job. Recovery time will depend on the individual and the extent of the surgery, but strenuous activities should be avoided for six weeks. You will have follow-up appointments with Drs. Homas or Brostrom to monitor your healing progress. Careful adherence to post-operative instructions will support a swift recovery and excellent results.
Results
Once fully healed, you will notice a smoother, firmer neck with improved contours and a rejuvenated appearance. Results will appear natural and enhance your facial features, and your scars will be strategically placed to heal inconspicuously. Many patients report a significant boost in confidence following their recovery.
Corresponding Procedures
The neck lift is often combined with a facelift, as the incisions required are quite similar. This combination can also help to enhance the results of each procedure and lead to a more harmonious and longer-lasting result. A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is performed to address sagging skin and muscle/fibroconnective tissue throughout the lower face. These procedures, like the neck lift, remove excess, sagging skin and tighten muscles to sculpt a youthful and refreshed appearance. These procedures may also be combined with a brow lift, which addresses wrinkles and loose skin on the forehead as well as drooping brows. Combining procedures is an effective way to optimize your results with one recovery period. If you would like to explore your combination options, please discuss your interest during your consultation.
Cost of Neck Lifts in San Antonio
The cost of your neck lift will depend on your personal goals, the scale of the procedure, whether you add additional procedures, and a handful of other factors. After meeting with either Dr. Homas or Dr. Brostrom for a consultation, you will receive a price quote which itemizes all necessary expenses. New Image Plastic Surgery also offers financing options to assist patients with achieving their goals.
Schedule your consultation today to begin planning your ideal neck lift. You can submit our online contact form or call Dr. Dallas Homas directly at (210) 640-6310 or Dr. Lisa Brostrom directly at (210) 607-6316, respectively.
FAQ
Is a neck lift effective at treating a double chin?
Yes, a neck lift improves a double chin by removing excess fat and tightening the muscles of the neck, resulting in a slimmer and more defined jawline.
What is the best age for a neck lift?
While there is no “ideal age” for a neck lift, individuals between the ages of 35 and 65 are often the most common demographic. Some younger patients with a normal weight but excessive fullness over the central neck will benefit from sculpting of the deep structures of the neck as well. It is essential to assess each patient’s individual anatomy.
Can I combine a neck lift with a facelift?
Certainly! For comprehensive rejuvenation, most patients have both procedures performed together.
How painful is a neck lift?
There is little to no pain involved. During recovery, most patients describe the sensation as tightness rather than pain, which generally subsides after a few weeks.
How should I care for my neck after my neck lift?
All patients will receive detailed recovery instructions. These may differ for each patient, but all should rest, keep their head elevated, and attend follow-up appointments as instructed.
Does liposuction play a big role in a neck lift?
Liposuction is generally only involved in a neck lift if the patient has significant amounts of superficial fat in their neck.
References
- Pérez P, Hohman MH. Neck Rejuvenation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562229/
- Alexander L, Patel BC. Platysmaplasty Facelift. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563291/