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Neck Lift

The skin of the neck is generally thinner and has less collagen and fewer glandular structures, making it much thinner and more delicate than the skin of the face. As a result, it is no surprise that this area can begin aging before other facial areas, developing laxity and wrinkles. At Umansky Plastic Surgery in La Jolla, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky perform neck lift surgery to restore a defined jawline and a smoother neck.

Both surgeons completed fellowship training in cosmetic and aesthetic surgery and focus on natural appearing results that balance and lift without changing the patient’s features. Patients in San Diego, La Jolla, and many of the surrounding areas choose our practice for neck rejuvenation that leaves them feeling fresh and natural.

What Is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that tightens the skin and muscles of the neck to create a firmer contour along the jaw and under the chin. Surgeons also call this procedure a lower rhytidectomy or cervicoplasty for procedures that focus on skin. Platysmaplasty refers to tightening the superficial neck muscles. Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky treat both the deeper structures and the loose skin to create results that age well and look natural

Common Reasons for Considering a Neck Lift

Sagging or Loose Neck Skin

Once skin loses enough collagen and elastin through natural aging processes, it loses its elasticity and begins to hang below the chin and jaw. As it progresses, it can be very noticeable and is sometimes called a turkey neck. Weight changes and sun exposure can speed up the aging process with more rapid breakdown of collagen and elastin. Once the elasticity is gone, it cannot be corrected with creams or exercises, but a neck lift can remove the extra skin and redrape it over a firmer surface.

Visible Platysmal Bands

The neck has a thin sheet of muscle that goes down the front of the neck. With age, this muscle loosens, and its edges pull apart, forming vertical bands. A neck lift procedure repositions the loose muscle and removes excess fat and skin so the neck and jaw can look smooth again.

Excess Fat Under the Chin

Fat can collect in the submental area, the space directly beneath the chin, and blunt the angle where the neck meets the jaw. A double chin can occur even in people at a healthy weight, since genetics often decides where fat will collect. Diet and exercise rarely shift this pocket because of how resistant it is. This fat can be removed during a neck lift surgery. Some patients, generally younger patients, can treat this without a neck lift if they have good elasticity of the neck skin. In these patients, laser-assisted liposuction may be a good procedure.

Loss of Jawline Definition

A crisp jawline depends on tight skin and muscle holding the tissue of the lower face in place. As these structures relax, tissue slides downward and creates jowls. A neck lift combined with a lower facelift raises and secures this tissue so the jaw regains clear definition that separates it from the neck below.

Signs of Aging After Weight Loss

Significant weight loss shrinks the fat that once filled the neck but leaves behind the skin that was stretched. That skin often lacks the elasticity to shrink on its own, so it hangs under the chin. Patients who reach their goal weight through diet, exercise, GLP-1 medications and/or bariatric surgery frequently have loose neck tissues that no longer match their slimmer frame. Surgery removes this excess skin and restores a more contoured neck shape.

Am I a Candidate for Neck Lift Surgery in La Jolla?

Good candidates for neck contouring surgery share a few traits that support a safe procedure and a lasting result:

Loose neck skin, muscle banding or excess fat
Generally good health without conditions that slow healing or make anesthesia unsafe
Non-smoking status or a willingness to stop for several weeks before and after surgery
Realistic expectations about what surgery changes

Most neck lift patients are in their late 40s to 70s, though some notice early banding or fullness earlier. During your visit, Dr. William Umansky or Dr. Jeffrey Umansky will examine your skin along with the muscles and fat beneath it to confirm whether surgery is the best option or whether a nonsurgical option would serve you better.

Types of Neck Lift Procedures

Cervicoplasty

Cervicoplasty targets loose skin and focuses on just the neck. The surgeon makes incisions behind the ears, along the back of the neck within the hair, and sometimes under the chin, undermines and lifts the skin, trims the excess and redrapes the rest over the firmer contour beneath. This approach suits patients whose main concern is hanging skin that is confined to the neck only.

Platysmaplasty

Platysmaplasty tightens the platysma muscle to soften vertical bands and rebuild the neck angle. Through a small incision under the chin, your plastic surgeon stitches the separated muscle edges together like closing a corset. For pronounced banding, a deep neck lift works on the deeper tissue and the muscle from the front and the back of the neck. This is often paired with skin and fat removal.

Submental Liposuction

Submental liposuction removes the fat pocket under the chin through small incisions under the chin and sometimes behind the ears. The surgeon passes a thin tube called a cannula beneath the skin to suction the fat and refine the neck angle. Younger patients with good skin elasticity and excess fat may only need liposuction, while older patients may also need skin removal.

Neck Lift Combined With a Facelift

The neck and lower face age together, so most patients will want both the face and neck treated at once. A facelift restores the cheeks and jawline and incorporates a neck lift. Our surgeons will talk to you about whether a facelift procedure or a standalone neck lift matches your goals.

The Neck Lift Consultation Process

During the consultation process, your surgeon will confirm your candidacy through a detailed health history and will assess the condition of your neck and lower face. You will also be able to look at before and after photos of former patients with similar concerns to help understand which technique best fits your anatomy. Your surgeon will also explain the surgical steps, recovery, preparation and cost.

What to Expect During Neck Lift Surgery

Neck lift surgery takes place at our accredited surgical facility in La Jolla under the care of a board-certified anesthesiologist who monitors you throughout the procedure. Most procedures use general anesthesia, though less invasive procedures can sometimes be done with local anesthesia and sedation. The surgery takes three to four hours, or longer if combined with other surgeries. Once the surgery is done, your surgeon will close the incisions with fine sutures in layers to help the area heal and avoid any tension on the incision areas.

Neck Lift Recovery and Aftercare

For the first several days after your surgery, you can expect some discomfort, including swelling and bruising, plus some tenderness along the incisions. You can keep this under control with pain medication. You should plan to keep your head elevated during the initial healing period as you sleep.

Plan for seven to fourteen days away from work and social activities. After this time, some swelling will linger, but you will be able to add more activities. You will still need to limit the types of exercise you do until your surgeon clears you for a full return to your normal schedule.

Neck Lift Results and Longevity

Swelling partially obscures your final result at first, and the neck will continue to become more defined as the swelling subsides. You can expect to see your final contour three to six months after your surgery. A neck lift can take years off your appearance with results that can be long lasting. Among the neck lift benefits patients report most often are a more defined neck and the disappearance of the vertical bands that once stood out.

Your neck will continue to age after a neck lift, but the area will be firmer and more lifted than it would have been with no surgery, especially with a stable weight, sun protection, and a consistent skincare routine. Some patients also choose to maintain their results with nonsurgical treatments like laser treatments, microneedling, chemical peels or skin tightening.

Why Choose Umansky Plastic Surgery for Neck Lift Surgery in San Diego?

Neck Lift surgery requires precise knowledge of the muscle and tissue layers that shape the neck and an eye for balance that keeps the results appearing natural. This is why patients come to Umansky Plastic Surgery. Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky each completed advanced training in plastic surgery along with fellowships in cosmetic and aesthetic surgery. Their combined decades of work in facial rejuvenation give patients two experienced surgeons in facelift and neck lift surgery.

Compassion and attentiveness to details are qualities that describe our surgeons well. Dr. William Umansky frequently donates time providing reconstructive surgery to children in Mexico, and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky works with Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, which provides transformative surgeries for disadvantaged infants, children and teens.

Common Questions About Neck Lift Surgery

What's the difference between a neck lift and a facelift?

A neck lift treats the neck and the area under the chin, tightening the platysma muscle and removing loose skin and fat below the jaw. A facelift addresses the cheeks and jowls of the lower face and the jawline. The two overlap at the jaw, which is why most patients choose a facelift that includes treatment of the neck.

Will a neck lift get rid of my double chin?

When the double chin comes from loose skin and fat or a sagging muscle under the jaw, this procedure can help. The surgeon removes the fat and tightens the muscle and skin to sharpen the neck angle. However, concerns caused mainly by bone structure may need a different approach, sometimes including a chin implant.

How long do neck lift results last?

Most neck lifts last for 7-10 years or more. This depends on the aging process, hormonal changes and the care and maintenance you put into your skin after surgery. No surgery can stop aging, so expect the results to soften over time. Weight maintenance and sun protection help the result last longer.

Will I have visible scars after a neck lift?

There will always be some scarring after a neck lift. Incisions will be under the chin and in the creases behind the ears and along the back of the neck into the hair, where scars will stay hidden. They look pink at first, then fade to thin pale lines over six to twelve months. Your surgeon will have instructions for how to care for your scars to help them fade as much as possible.

How painful is neck lift recovery?

Most patients describe tightness and swelling, but there should not be any sharp or unmanageable pain. Prescription medication can help during the first few days, and many people easily switch to over-the-counter pain relievers within one to two days without any increase in discomfort. Tightness will ease as the swelling goes down.

Can a neck lift be done without a facelift?

A neck lift can be sometimes be performed on its own when the concerns are in the neck area and under the chin. Patients whose cheeks and midface still look youthful may be a candidate for only neck work. Your surgeon will talk to you during your consultation about what will be the best option.

How much does a neck lift cost in San Diego?

The cost of a neck lift in San Diego depends on the technique, the amount of correction your neck needs and whether you combine it with other procedures. Dr. Umansky will provide a detailed consultation and a quote will be provided.

What is the best age for a neck lift?

There is no single best age. Most patients are in their late 40s through their 70s, but the right time depends on the condition of your neck. Some people develop banding or loose skin earlier because of genetics or sun exposure and choose surgery sooner.

Schedule Your Neck Lift Consultation in La Jolla

If loose skin, muscle bands or fullness under your chin make your neck look older, a neck lift at Umansky Plastic Surgery can restore a firmer contour. Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky bring board-certified skill and years of facial rejuvenation experience to every procedure. Call 858-281-4560 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation in La Jolla today.