If you are looking for a more youthful appearance of the neck, a neck lift is the procedure that will accomplish that goal by correcting wrinkles, loose skin and fat pockets. Doctor Tarola will discuss your goals and decide whether a neck lift or facelift will provide you with the best results. By lifting and re-suspending the deep layers of the neck, including the fat and muscles, Doctor Tarola will provide a long-lasting youthful result that you will enjoy without looking “overdone”.
What Is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift is a surgery that tightens loose skin on the neck and helps reduce other changes like wrinkles and stubborn fat in the neck and jawline area. Surgery may be a good option when nonsurgical skin tightening or other treatments are not sufficient for the amount of loose skin.
Dr. Tarola performs neck lift surgery by addressing the skin on the surface and the structures underneath that cause changes with age, such as the platysma muscle and fat compartments. He uses techniques that result in a natural look that is not pulled too tight. Every procedure is customized to the patient’s anatomy and personal goals, so no two neck lifts will look exactly the same.
Loose Neck Skin and Wrinkles
As collagen and elastin production slow with age, the skin on the neck loses its ability to snap back like it used to. Loss of collagen leads to a thin, crepey texture with horizontal lines and hanging skin below the jawline that can make the area look older. A neck lift removes the excess skin and repositions the remaining tissue for a smoother appearance from ear to ear.
Excess Fat Deposits Under the Chin
Fat deposits under the chin can be due to genetics, or they can appear because of weight changes and aging. Often, this area does not respond to weight loss, and the excess fat can persist even in those who are a healthy weight. During neck lift surgery, Dr. Tarola can remove or reposition this fat.
Weakened Platysma Muscles and Neck Bands
The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle on the front of the neck. Its edges often separate with age and produce two vertical bands that are more visible when talking or clenching the jaw. During a neck lift surgery, Dr. Tarola lifts and tightens the platysma at the midline through an incision under the chin to smooth the bands.
What Is the Difference Between a Neck Lift and a Facelift?
A neck lift focuses primarily on the area from the jawline down to the collarbone, while a facelift addresses the midface, cheeks and jowls. Patients often benefit from combining both if there are signs of aging in the lower face and the neck. However, younger patients or those who have concerns that are limited to the neck may just need a neck lift for the results they are looking for. Dr. Tarola will discuss all of your options with you, evaluating your skin quality, where the fat is distributed, muscle tone and bone structure during your consultation to recommend the option that will give you the best results.
Signs You May Be a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift
Not every patient is ready for surgery, either because of physical reasons or because of the downtime needed after the treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Tarola will review all of the considerations that are important before undergoing cosmetic surgery. Good candidates are generally those with:
- Good General Health: You should be free from any conditions that raise your surgical risk, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure or bleeding disorders. Nonsmokers heal faster with a better scar quality, so Dr. Tarola asks patients to stop all nicotine products before the surgery.
- Realistic Expectations: A neck lift improves your appearance but does not stop the aging process. Dr. Tarola makes sure his patients understand what the surgery can and cannot do before moving forward with the surgical plan.
- Availability for Downtime and Recovery: You need at least two weeks away from work, or more if you have a very active job. Some people do not have this availability in their schedules or want to wait for a more convenient time.
Incision Placement and Surgical Technique for Neck Lift Surgery
Incisions Behind the Ear and Into the Hairline
The main incisions begin under the earlobe, curve behind the ear and continue into the hairline. This placement allows Dr. Tarola to access the underlying muscle and fat and remove excess skin while still keeping the scars concealed by the natural contours of the ear and by hair growth. You will be able to wear your hair both up and down without exposing the incision lines.
Incision Under the Chin
A small incision hidden in the natural crease is sometimes used to provide more access to the platysma muscle and any fat that needs to be reduced. This incision follows the shadow line beneath the jaw and heals as a fine line that is hard to see once fully mature. This incision is typically less than an inch long.
Deep Layer Muscle and Fat Re-Suspension
Rather than pulling the skin overly tight to create lift in the neck, Dr. Tarola repositions the platysma muscle underneath to provide more structural lift. This technique holds up better with time and keeps the tissue from looking stretched. The skin is redraped without tension over the top, which helps scars to heal and provides a more natural result.
How to Prepare for Neck Lift Surgery
Once you schedule neck lift surgery with Dr. Tarola, you will be given a procedure-specific surgical packet, which includes medications to avoid before your procedure, postoperative instructions, and information on what to expect in the weeks and months following your procedure. Doctor Tarola and Tarola Plastic Surgery will also provide you with all of your prescriptions so that they may be filled in advance of the procedure day.
Dr. Tarola recommends stopping blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen before surgery, since these medications increase bruising. Nicotine use in any form needs to stop at least four weeks before your appointment to avoid restricting blood flow to the healing tissue. You will also be instructed to avoid alcohol before your appointment since it can also increase bruising and swelling.
Make sure you have someone lined up to drive you home from the surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours of your recovery. To reduce stress once you are home, we recommend preparing your recovery space with clean button-front shirts, easy and nutritious food and extra pillows.
What Happens on the Day of Your Neck Lift
Neck lift surgery is done as an outpatient at Tarola Plastic Surgery. On the day of your procedure, you will arrive early at the surgery center to speak with your board-certified anesthesiologist and to be prepped for surgery. Doctor Tarola only performs surgeries at fully accredited surgery centers. The procedure will be performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation, both for your comfort and to provide Dr. Tarola with the ideal conditions to perform your surgery in order to achieve optimal results. When you awake, you will be sore but kept comfortable in the recovery room.
This surgery takes two to three hours, depending on the extent of the correction being done. Dr. Tarola will mark the incision sites while you are awake to confirm the plan with you. Once the anesthesia takes effect, you will be continually monitored by your anesthesiologist. Immediately after the surgery, you will rest in the recovery room until you are alert and stable enough to go home, usually within an hour after surgery. You will have a support garment for your neck and jawline to help control swelling during the first part of your recovery.
Recovery
Strict adherence to Dr. Tarola’s postoperative instructions is critical to your result. You can expect swelling for the first couple of weeks. Doctor Tarola will review your postoperative instructions to hasten your recovery and ensure an excellent result.
Your Recovery Timeline After Neck Lift Surgery
The First 24 to 48 Hours
Typically, showering and shampooing are allowed after 24 hours. Rest with your head elevated on two pillows to reduce swelling, and expect the area to feel tight, along with some numbness in the skin, which is normal as nerves recover. You can use cold compresses on the surgical area for 15 minutes at a time, always making sure to use a protective cloth in between. You can control pain during this time with prescription or over-the-counter medication, and make sure to avoid bending or lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk.
The First Two Weeks of Recovery
Your swelling and bruising will peak around day three and then improve steadily. Most patients feel well enough to run short errands, but there may still be bruising. Any sutures that are not dissolvable will be removed at your one-week follow-up appointment. By day fourteen, you will be able to return to desk work, though you should continue avoiding exercise and heat exposure.
Returning to Normal
Between weeks three and six, you can gradually reintroduce exercise, starting with walking and progressing to your usual routine as Dr. Tarola clears you. You will still have some residual swelling that will continue to fade during this period, with your neckline becoming more defined with each week. Final results can be seen three to six months after the surgery, once all internal healing is complete, and your scars will mature over the following year until they are no longer noticeable.
Neck Lift Results and How Long They Last
Most patients enjoy their results for ten to fifteen years or longer, but natural aging will continue after the surgery. Factors like gravity and sun exposure, along with natural internal factors like reduced collagen production, can impact the skin, so be sure to protect your neck with sunscreen and maintain a stable weight. Some patients choose minor touch-up treatments like non-surgical skin resurfacing to help keep the skin firm and smooth and to address sun damage in the years after their surgery.
Neck Lift Considerations
Common temporary effects include swelling, bruising, tightness and numbness along the incision lines. These changes resolve as tissues heal, though numbness in small patches can take several months to fully return. Less common concerns include hematoma and nerve irritation. Scar quality varies by skin type and healing response. During your consultation, Dr. Tarola will talk about all of the pros and cons of surgery in detail, so you can make an informed decision about whether surgery is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Lift Surgery
Will my scars be noticeable long-term?
Because of the placement of the incisions, the scars will not be noticeable unless you are looking for them, once they have healed properly. Scars start as pink lines and gradually fade to a skin tone that is similar to the tissue around them. Certain scar care, including proper sun protection and topical treatments, helps the incisions mature well.
Is there a right age for a neck lift?
Most patients considering neck lift surgery are between 50 and 70, but this does not mean you cannot have a successful surgery outside of these ages. There are factors that matter more than your age, such as the amount of loose skin you have and whether you are a good candidate overall for surgery and anesthesia.
Can a neck lift be combined with other procedures?
Facelift and liposuction are often combined with a neck lift. Facelifts address the area above the jawline, while liposuction can be used to remove excess fat under the chin and on the neck. The procedure can also be combined with a brow lift or eyelid surgery, along with nonsurgical treatments, such as skin resurfacing. The timing of these combination plans will need to be discussed with Dr. Tarola.
Does insurance cover neck lift surgery?
Neck lift surgery is a cosmetic operation and is not covered by insurance. Tarola Plastic Surgery accepts multiple forms of payment and works with third-party financing partners such as CareCredit so you can plan for the cost. Your surgical coordinator provides a detailed quote after your consultation that includes surgeon fees, anesthesia and facility charges.
About Dr. Tarola and Tarola Plastic Surgery
Dr. Tarola is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving patients throughout Middle Tennessee. He completed training in general surgery and plastic surgery, followed by years of focused experience in facial rejuvenation. Every operation is performed at a fully accredited surgery center, and Dr. Tarola personally handles each case. The Tarola Plastic Surgery team includes experienced nurses and patient coordinators who support you from consultation through recovery.
Schedule Your Neck Lift Consultation in Murfreesboro, TN
Call Tarola Plastic Surgery at 615-713-1695 to book a private consultation with Dr. Tarola. After your visit, you will leave with a complete understanding of your options, pricing and recovery expectations. Tarola Plastic Surgery serves patients across Murfreesboro and the surrounding Middle Tennessee area.
