If you are unhappy with the appearance of your neck due to sagging skin, wrinkles, or stubborn chin fat, Dr. Matt Goldschmidt is the go-to surgeon for neck lifts and more in Cleveland, Ohio.
Loose, sagging skin on the neck is one of the first and most distressing signs of aging. As the skin on the neck is thinner than that of the face, it is more vulnerable to the effects of time and gravity.
Additionally, when moisturizing and protecting our faces from the sun, many of us forget to pay special attention to our neck, leaving it to age faster than other areas of our face and body.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?
In general, the right candidates for neck lift surgery are those with excess or loose skin, vertical or horizontal banding, and stubborn fat under the chin (double chin).
Candidates should also:
- Be in generally good health
- Be a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking before and after the procedure
- Have minimal lower facial laxity
- Have realistic expectations for the results
If you also have loose skin and sagging in your lower face, a facelift procedure may be more appropriate and generally includes a neck lift.
What Are the Benefits of Neck Lift Surgery?
The advantages of addressing your neck concerns are significant and include:
- A smoother, tighter neck
- Elimination of neck wrinkles
- A more youthful appearance
- Freedom to wear your choice of jewelry and neckline styles
- Increased overall confidence
How Is Neck Lift Surgery Performed?
Neck lift surgery can include a set of procedures based upon the patient’s specific needs. These techniques involve removing excess skin and fat while altering neck muscles. Neck lift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia.
Neck Fat Removal
Neck lifts can include liposuction to remove excess fat from under the chin. Excess fat can also be excised through an incision under the chin (submental incision).
Neck Skin Tightening
The submental incision also allows our cosmetic surgeon to remove excess skin. This process produces a tighter, smoother neck along with fat removal.
Platysmaplasty
In some cases, Dr. Goldschmidt may perform a platysmaplasty to help tighten the neck muscles and minimize vertical banding. This approach is performed by making an incision behind the ears and under the chin.
Neck Recontouring
Manipulating the underlying muscles, tissue, and fat can create more pleasing neck and jawline contours. Cervicoplasty is the medical term used for this procedure.
What Is Recovery From Neck Lift Surgery Like?
Patients should anticipate taking a week off after having cosmetic surgery, and swelling should go down within four to five days. When working with a board-certified cosmetic facial surgeon like Dr. Goldschmidt, complications during recovery are rare.
Dr. Goldschmidt will discuss all aspects of your surgery once you schedule a consultation.
What Other Procedures Can I Combine With My Neck lift?
Some patients combine their neck lift with other facial cosmetic surgery procedures to reduce costs and bundle recovery times.
The most popular options include:
- Receiving an eyelid or brow lift to address the upper third of the face
- Combining a facelift with a neck lift
- Adding BOTOX® Cosmetic during the procedure
- Using liposuction to remove submental fat
A neck lift can often address mild jowl issues. However, patients with pronounced laxity (loose skin) on their face and neck should opt for both facelift and neck surgery to ensure the best results and avoid an off-balance, unnatural appearance. This solution also prevents you from having to return for further surgery later and ultimately saves you money and downtime.
Unhappy With Previous Neck Lift Surgery?
Neck lift revision surgeries are always more difficult as the area has already been operated on, complicating the process.
Before undergoing neck lift surgery, you must research your surgeon to avoid repeating the procedure, incurring extra costs, and requiring additional recovery time.
Select a doctor that is experienced and has before-and-after photos to show you. Dr. Goldschmidt is certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Board and offers neck lift revision surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Lift Surgery
What does a neck lift cost?
Prices for neck lifts vary significantly depending on the different techniques used. A consultation with Dr. Goldschmidt is a great opportunity to learn everything you need to know about neck lift surgery and its cost.
How do I prepare for neck lift surgery?
It’s important to be in good physical health and be a non-smoker. If you smoke, the doctor will inform you to quit several weeks prior to your procedure. Preoperative tests are usually required about a week before your scheduled surgery. These will help ensure that you have no underlying issues that may put you at risk. You will also be asked to fast for at least eight hours before the procedure.
Can a neck lift treat a double chin?
Yes, a neck lift can treat a full or double chin. However, liposuction alone can also be used through a submental incision to remove fat from under the chin.
Can a neck lift treat sagging jowls?
Yes, a neck lift can often improve the appearance of sagging jowls, as long as the jowls aren’t extremely loose. In the case of very loose, hanging jowls, a facelift is combined with a neck lift.
Do neck lifts cause scarring?
Like most surgeries, a neck lift will require incisions that result in scars. A qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon will be thoughtful in their placement, so they aren’t too visible.
Incisions are made close to the hairline for optimal blending. It’s important to note that these incisions are usually small, which reduces the chances of significant scarring. Any residual scarring will fade over time, and you can consider using a scarring cream to speed up the fading process.
How long do results from a neck lift last?
You can expect your neck lift results to last between 10 to 15 years. You will continue to age post-surgery, which will ultimately impact the results after several years; however, your results will never be undone.
What is the best age for a neck lift?
A neck lift can be performed at any adult age, but it is most common between 40 and 60.
What risks are associated with neck lift surgery?
All surgeries have risks, such as infections, scarring, swelling, numbness, unsatisfactory results, and anesthesia complications.
To reduce risks, Dr. Goldschmidt will examine your current health and medical history during the consultation. If it’s deemed you are at high risk due to health concerns, you may not be approved.
Are there nonsurgical options to treat loose skin or excess fat on the neck?
While neck lift and facelift surgery provide the most significant and longest-lasting results, Dr. Goldschmidt offers a wide range of less invasive procedures to restore a more youthful and more defined look to your face and neck. These include:
- Liposuction treatment
- Microneedling services
- Skin resurfacing treatments
- Injectables, including BOTOX® Cosmetic
Liposuction and BOTOX® Cosmetic can either be done with surgery or as alternatives to neck lift surgery.
For more information about Neck Lift in Cleveland, OH or to schedule your Neck Lift in Cleveland, OH consultation with Dr. Matt Goldschmidt, please call (216) 264-8100.