A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves the visible signs of aging in the jawline and the neck.
Specifically, it addresses the excess relaxed skin/fat in the lower face that creates jowls, excess fatty deposits under the chin, loose neck skin, and muscle banding that creates unwanted abnormal neck contours.
The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions and stress.
Candidates for a neck lift procedure are dealing with these factors but are not ready, or require, a full facelift surgery. They need attention to issues related to excessive wrinkling of neck skin, double chin, or jowl formation.
Additional complementary procedures, such as eyelid surgery, can be done at the same time to enhance an individual's total rejuvenation.
Good candidates are healthy individuals who do not have any medical conditions that may impair healing. They must be nonsmokers. It is important for these patients to have a positive outlook with realistic expectations about their recovery and expectations.
As a restorative surgery, a neck lift will not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the ongoing aging process. Your surgeon will design a procedure to rejuvenate your problem areas and areas of concern. This ideally will create a more youthful, rested, and still natural appearance.
Nonsurgical options to rejuvenate the neck do exist. However, these options cannot achieve the same level of improvement or duration of effect. These treatments may delay the time at which a neck lift would be appropriate or complement your surgical results.
To determine if a neck lift, or any other cosmetic surgery, is right for you, begin by seeking consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. They will be able to discuss your surgical goals, determine rejuvenation options, review anticipated recovery, outcomes and potential for complications. The plastic surgeon will also ensure that the right procedure is selected for you and that all your questions are addressed. After surgery, the plastic surgeon and their team, will be with you every step of the way through your recovery.