Neck Lift Procedure

Neck lift

The neck can be one of the first areas of the body to show signs of aging, and it is an area that is frequently on display to others. As we age, the skin and soft tissue on the face and neck begin to descend, causing wrinkling and sagging beneath the chin. Some families have full necks that a part of their genetics. Regardless of the concern, a smooth, elegant neck and a defined jawline are features many people desire, and a neck lift can help you achieve these aesthetic goals.

Most non-surgical or minimally invasive methods of neck rejuvenation require more than one session to achieve results. With a neck lift, you can expect results to be immediate and enduring, lasting at least ten years.

Dr. Rankin performs a “Deep Necklift” focusing on contouring the deeper structures of the neck while leaving the more superficial, “youthful” fat unharmed. The neck is composed of different layers. As we age, we lose fat in the layer just under the skin, also known as subcutaneous fat. Because of these different layers, very few patients benefit long-term from liposuction of the neck even if they feel that their neck is “fat”.

A youthful neck is smooth and free of lines or veins. An older or “turkey neck” tends to have lines, veins, and bands. The difference between the two is the amount of subcutaneous fat. So while neck liposuction can temporarily improve the area for some patients, it can also accelerate the aging process.

At NorCal Plastic surgery, we take a holistic approach to the appearance of the face and neck. Though we will discuss different areas of concern, it is usually critical to address neighboring areas of the face to ensure that we do not create a “surgical” appearance. While a more extensive cosmetic procedure may sound intimidating, this holistic approach usually gives us the most natural outcomes. 

A neck lift is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day after a few hours in the recovery room. You may also want to spend the night in the surgery center if you don’t wish to burden your loved ones – we can make recommendations based on your individual wants and needs. 

Neck lifts are usually performed with general anesthesia. The whole procedure takes around two hours to complete. Many people opt to have a neck lift paired with a facelift. Having both procedures simultaneously can increase surgery time, but enhance your result. 

During a neck lift, Dr. Rankin will target different areas of concern on the neck. He can tighten the platysma muscles, which are the muscles surrounding the neck. He can also remove deeper fat and contour the underlying muscles and glands.

Recovery can vary depending on whether you opt for just a neck lift or a combined face and neck lift procedure. Generally, recovery can take one to two weeks. After surgery, we use minimal post-operative dressings to create a more discrete recovery. We will give you detailed post-op care instructions to help ensure a smooth and successful recovery. 

Many people are afraid of feeling a tightness in their neck after surgery. Over time, the natural elasticity of the neck helps any feeling of tightness to smooth and return to normal. There may be discomfort when healing from a neck lift, but typical pain scores are very low, around 1-2 on a 10 point scale. 

There will also be some bruising and swelling associated with the procedure, which should resolve over the first two weeks. Some swelling may remain for up to a few months.

Candidates for neck lifts can be any age depending on whether there are concerns of fullness or aging. Candidates may also be individuals who have lost a dramatic amount of weight and are left with excess skin under the chin and on the neck. 

Additionally, an ideal candidate should:

  • Not smoke
  • Not have any health conditions that may jeopardize the healing process
  • Have realistic goals about what a neck lift can achieve 
  • Have excess skin or fat in the neck 

How much a neck lift can cost will depend on several factors, including the expertise of your surgeon, anesthesia and surgical center fees, and the location of the practice. The average cost of a neck lift is $15,000 to $17,000.

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Before & After Gallery

You can view NorCal Plastic Surgery’s before and after photo gallery to see the remarkable results achieved by Dr. Rankin and our team of skin care experts and aestheticians. Click to see more real patient photos.

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Before and After
*Individual results may vary

Take the Next Step

Want to learn more about how a Neck lift can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with a NorCal Plastic Surgery provider by calling (925) 856-4800 or filling out the consultation request form below. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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