Neck Lift Surgery with H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery
Reduce The Signs Of Visual Aging On Your Neck
As we age our skin tends to lose some of its elasticity and “snap”, especially in areas on the face and body where skin is very thin. The result can be loose skin hanging in unwanted areas, including around the jawline, the chin, and the neck. These folds of excess skin can cause men and women to feel less youthful, regardless of their age or level of confidence. Thankfully, a neck lift can reverse these visible signs of aging and restore the neck, chin, and jawline to a tighter, sleeker appearance.
H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery is pleased to offer neck lift procedures to our patients. To learn more about a neck lift and how it might benefit you, complete our online form today to schedule a visit. In the meantime, here are some quick insights into how the neck lift procedure works.
Surgical Overview Of The Neck Lift
The neck lift, also called a lower rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure intended to reduce visible signs of aging along the jawline and the neck. Specifically, the neck lift removes extra fat and unwanted tissue, leaving the neck area more contoured and defined. Additionally, during a neck lift, your surgeon may tighten the underlying muscles, lending to further definition of the neck area.
Some patients choose to get a neck lift as part of their facelift, seeking a comprehensive makeover to the overall appearance of the face and neck. For other patients, however, there is no need for a facelift; they simply want to address the aging appearance of the delicate areas of the neck, jawline, and chin. Either way, the surgeons at H/K/B can accommodate your needs for a neck lift.
What To Expect From Your Neck Lift
When you get a neck lift at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, the process always begins with a consultation. You will have a chance to sit down with a provider, ask any questions you may have, and learn more about the options available. Your surgeon will also share some visualizations, helping you to set the right expectations for what your end results will look like.
The procedure itself is done on an outpatient basis, and while the duration of the surgery varies by patient, you can anticipate that it will take two to three hours. Patients are under general anesthesia for their neck lift, and the procedure itself may involve the following steps:
- Platysmaplasty: Your surgeon will tighten the muscles in the neck and restore structure to the neck’s contour.
- Skin and fat excision: Your surgeon will then remove any loose, hanging skin or bulges of fat, usually through small incisions made behind the ears.
- Liposuction: In some cases, it is necessary to use liposuction to suck out excess fat, especially fat deposited just below the chin.
Your Trusted Partner For Transformation
The H/K/B Way is a collaborative effort between all of our physicians and staff. Together, we are committed to providing our patients with state-of-the-art procedures, best-in-class surgical technology, and the most advanced methods for ensuring not just optimal results, but also optimal recovery periods.
Recovery From A Neck Lift
Recovery from a neck lift is usually very quick and uncomplicated. You can expect some bandaging along the surgical site, but these bandages are removed within the first week. Your surgeon may instruct you to take a few days to rest and recover, and to use cold compresses to keep swelling down. While pain is usually minimal, medication is available as needed to help you mitigate any discomfort.
Your surgeon will advise you on when you should return to work and to physical exercise; of course, our patients can always call with any specific questions or concerns.
What Can A Neck Lift Treat?
Before coming in for a neck lift, it’s important to have the right expectations about what this procedure can accomplish; and, about what it’s not meant to accomplish.
A neck lift can address any of the following:
- Excess skin and fat at the bottom of the face, creating a “jowling” appearance.
- Excess deposits of fat around the chin.
- Loose and hanging neck skin.
- Muscle banding in the neck, leading to unusual-looking contours.
What Can’t A Neck Lift Treat?
By contrast, there are some things that a neck lift can’t address, and it’s important to be upfront about that. Specifically, it’s important to remember that neck lifts are fundamentally restorative in nature; they can rehabilitate the appearance of your neck, but they are not meant to significantly alter your overall physical appearance. Additionally, neck lifts do not stop the aging process; they simply undo some of the most visible signs of aging along your neck.
We will also note that there are non-surgical options available to help improve the appearance of the neck. These options are not as powerful or as effective as surgical intervention, but they may help you delay the need for a full neck lift.
Are You A Neck Lift Candidate?
Do you think you might be a good candidate for a neck lift? At H/K/B, our surgeons typically recommend a neck lift for patients who meet the following criteria:
- You are bothered by loose skin, fat or other visible signs of aging along the neck, under the chin, or around the jawline.
- You do not smoke or have any medical complications that would impede you from healing properly.
- You have realistic expectations about your neck lift and understand that while it may improve your physical appearance, it will not stop the aging process.
Beauty Enhanced
Confidence Restored
Schedule Your Consultation
Ready to learn more about neck lifts? Complete our form to receive more information and to schedule your consultation with one of our expert surgeons at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery.
Neck Lift FAQS
A neck lift can address several age-related changes that make the lower face and neck look tired or heavy. At H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, surgeons use this procedure to reduce jowling along the jawline, remove excess fat under the chin, tighten loose neck skin, and refine prominent vertical muscle bands. By reshaping both skin and deeper tissues, a neck lift creates a smoother transition from the chin to the collarbone. Patients often notice that their profile looks more defined, their jawline sharper, and their overall appearance more youthful and balanced without changing who they are.
Both procedures rejuvenate the lower face, but they focus on different areas. A facelift primarily addresses sagging skin, folds, and jowls in the cheeks and midface. At the same time, a neck lift concentrates on the chin, jawline, and neck. At H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, your surgeon may recommend a neck lift alone if your main concerns are banding, loose skin, or fullness under the chin. When aging changes extend into the cheeks and lower face, combining a facelift and neck lift can provide a more comprehensive and harmonious outcome, with one recovery period and carefully coordinated incisions.
Neck lift surgery at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, typically under general anesthesia. Your surgeon begins with carefully placed incisions, often hidden behind the ears or beneath the chin, then tightens the platysma muscle to restore a firmer neck contour. Excess fat and loose skin are removed or repositioned to refine the jawline and under-chin area. In some cases, liposuction is used to target stubborn fat pockets. The procedure generally takes two to three hours, and you will go home the same day with detailed instructions for early recovery.
You can expect some swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness for the first several days. Bandages or a supportive dressing are typically removed within the first week, and most patients feel comfortable returning to desk work in about one to two weeks. Your surgeon at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery will advise you to avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for a short time to protect your results. Cold compresses, elevation, and following your postoperative instructions closely help swelling resolve and support a smooth, confident return to regular routines.
You may be a good candidate for a neck lift if you are bothered by loose neck skin, fat deposits under the chin, early jowling, or visible vertical bands that do not improve with weight management or skincare. The surgeons at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery typically recommend this procedure for healthy, non-smoking adults who have realistic expectations and understand that surgery improves the neck’s appearance but does not stop aging. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your skin quality, anatomy, and medical history, then help you decide whether a neck lift, or a combination plan, best suits your goals.
Any surgical procedure leaves scars; however, neck lift incisions are planned to be as discreet as possible. At H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, surgeons usually place incisions behind the ears and sometimes beneath the chin, where hairlines and shadows naturally conceal them. Early on, scars may appear pink or slightly raised. But, with time, proper care, and sun protection, they typically fade and become much less noticeable. Most patients feel that the trade-off of small, well-positioned scars is worth the improvement in jawline definition, neck contour, and confidence they gain from the procedure.
Neck lift results are long-lasting, mainly when supported by healthy lifestyle habits. While no procedure can stop the natural aging process, many patients enjoy a more youthful neck contour for ten years or longer. The surgeons at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery tighten underlying structures and the skin, helping the results age more gracefully. Maintaining a stable weight, using sun protection, and avoiding smoking can extend your outcome. Over time, you may see a gradual softening of tissues again, but your neck should continue to look younger than if you had never undergone the procedure.
Yes, a neck lift is often combined with other procedures to create balanced facial rejuvenation. Many patients choose to pair their neck lift with a facelift to address sagging cheeks and jowls, or with chin augmentation or submental liposuction to further refine profile and definition. At H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, your surgeon will discuss whether performing procedures together is appropriate for your health and goals. Combining surgeries can mean a single anesthesia event and recovery period, while providing a more comprehensive improvement to the lower face and neck so all treated areas age more harmoniously.
There are non-surgical treatments that can offer modest improvement in early neck aging, such as injectable treatments, skin-tightening devices, or skincare plans. These options help improve fine lines, mild laxity, or early contour changes, and can sometimes delay the need for surgery. However, when there is significant loose skin, muscle banding, or heavier jowling, the surgeons at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery explain that a neck lift is usually the most effective way to achieve a truly defined and lasting result. Your consultation will explore both non-surgical and surgical options tailored to your specific concerns.
There is no single “right” age for a neck lift; candidacy depends more on anatomy and concerns than on a specific number. Many patients at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery seek neck rejuvenation in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, when they notice sagging skin, fullness under the chin, or muscle banding that makes them look older than they feel. Some patients consider surgery earlier after major weight loss. Your surgeon will focus on your unique pattern of aging, lifestyle, and goals, then recommend whether it is the right time for surgery or if less invasive options may be appropriate.