With advancing age comes a gradual decline in skin quality, often culminating in the appearance of loose, hanging, or wrinkled neck skin. Through either a neck lift or liposuction to the neck, board-certified plastic surgeon Neal Goldberg, MD, FACS can improve the neck contour and restore a sharper jawline. The best technique for you depends on factors such as your age, skin quality, and related neck conditions. Dr. Goldberg offers both treatment options for patients who desire a sleeker neck contour and/or a more youthful appearance in the neck.

What is Neck Contouring?
Neck Lift Benefits
Neck Lift Candidates
Neck Lift Procedure
Neck Lift Recovery
Neck Lift Results
Neck Lift Cost
Neck Lift Scars
Non-Surgical Neck Lift
Neck Lift Alternatives

How Neck Contouring Works

There are generally two options for neck contouring that can enhance the entire facial profile: neck lift surgery or submental (neck) liposuction. If your neck exhibits both loose skin and excess fullness, the most powerful rejuvenation may be achieved by combining both procedures. For patients who are relatively young and retain good skin elasticity, neck liposuction may be the optimal choice. During this surgery, excess fatty deposits in the neck are removed using suction-assisted techniques, and the skin naturally contracts to reveal a slimmer contour. For individuals of advancing age, a neck lift may be the ideal treatment option. Sometimes referred to as a “turkey neck,” sagging neck tissue can result from a combination of loose skin and descended musculature. With techniques similar to those utilized during a facelift, Dr. Goldberg will trim excess skin and possibly fold (or partially remove) the sagging muscle. A neck lift may also require liposuction depending on whether localized fat is present.

What are the Benefits of a Neck Lift?

Whether your concerns include loose skin or a buildup of stubborn fat, neck contouring techniques can make the submental area look less aged. In addition to addressing excess fullness in the neck, Dr. Goldberg can develop a custom treatment plan to better define your facial profile. By addressing skin and tissue inelasticity in the neck, patients can enjoy:

A more sculpted jawline
Sleeker contour in the lower face
Smoother look in the neck by reducing platysmal bands
Elimination of a “double chin” or “turkey neck”
Slimmer facial appearance

The benefits of neck contouring also often include the ability to achieve more flattering angles in selfies, pictures, video meetings. After listening closely to your overall goals and the issues you wish to improve, Dr. Goldberg can discuss the best approach to achieve the results you desire.

Am I A Good Candidate For Neck Contouring?

Patients who undergo a neck lift usually wish to improve excess fat or loose skin around the neck, chin, and jaw. When lax tissue or fat collects in this region, the youthful angles of the jaw are often obscured. Neck contouring may benefit you if your aesthetic goals include any of the following:

Well-defined jawline
Proud yet proportional chin
Absence of neck fat and folds
Narrow, relatively long neck

Ideal aesthetic qualities of the neck may vary, but many people generally find the above characteristics visually appealing. By designing a custom-tailored neck contouring treatment plan, Dr. Goldberg can identify areas of improvement and restore a sharper, more angular transition from the jaw to the neck. This procedure can also reduce the appearance of jowls, skin folds, and stubborn fat depending on your unique concerns.

“Generally, my most satisfied patients are the ones where their friends tell them they look better but can’t put a finger on what the change was. I might have done a neck lift, but their friends insist it’s the hairstyle or the outfit they’re wearing.”

- Dr. Goldberg

How Is A Neck Lift Performed?

The neck contouring procedure is generally performed as an outpatient surgery under general anesthesia. If liposuction to the neck is part of your treatment plan, a narrow cannula will be utilized to extract excess fat from the submental region. This suction-assisted procedure is performed through tiny incisions, which are placed in inconspicuous locations whenever possible. Dr. Goldberg will meticulously sculpt the neck until a sleeker and more defined look is achieved.

For individuals undergoing a neck lift, Dr. Goldberg will place an incision under the chin to minimize post-surgical scarring. Through this incision, he will smooth loose or wrinkled skin while lifting the neck musculature, if necessary. This should resolve hanging skin as well as eliminate horizontal neck bands. Incisions are closed, and patients will be able to recover from the comfort of their own home after a brief observation period.

View Gallery

Life After Neck Contouring: What To Expect During Recovery

Recovery from neck surgery will vary for each patient based on whether a neck lift or liposuction was performed. In general, individuals can expect swelling and bruising after their procedure, which should both naturally resolve as the healing process progresses. Medications and ice packs can be utilized to further reduce swelling and discomfort. Most patients who undergo liposuction are advised to wear a compression garment on the neck or chin for the next few weeks. Many individuals also wear a scarf or turtleneck until signs of surgery are healed and gone.

Physical activities will be limited for two to three weeks—this means bending, lifting, and rigorous exercise are prohibited. Showering and hair washing are usually permitted the day after surgery. It’s important to always follow Dr. Goldberg’s specific instructions during your recovery and throughout your follow-up visits to accelerate the healing period as well as optimize the outcome of surgery.

How Long Do Neck Lift Results Last?

The outcome of a neck lift often lasts 15 to 20 years or longer. The face will continue to age, but individuals who have had a neck lift will generally always have a smoother, sleeker neck contour than people in the same age range who did not undergo surgery. In this way, the benefits of a neck lift can continue for a lifetime. Certain lifestyle factors may also help extend the longevity of your neck lift results, including:

Applying sunscreen on the face and neck daily to reduce sun damage
Maintaining a stable weight to preserve your natural skin elasticity
Avoiding smoking, sun tanning, and other activities that prematurely age the skin

Once signs of aging start to appear again, non-surgical treatments can also be very effective at maintaining a refreshed appearance. Skin resurfacing treatments in particular are designed to tighten laxity while enhancing the skin’s overall tone and texture. This can allow you to address fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, and other common concerns without surgery, further prolonging your facial rejuvenation.

How Much Does A Neck Lift Cost?

At our Westchester and NYC-area practice, the total cost of neck contouring includes anesthesia and surgeon’s fees, as well as other expenses typically associated with cosmetic surgery. The typical cost ranges from $11,000 to $15,000. The price of neck lift surgery/neck liposuction ultimately depends on factors specific to your treatment plan, such as:

The surgical technique utilized
The complexity of your procedure
Whether additional surgeries were performed

If you prefer to pay for your procedure in a series of installments, Dr. Goldberg offers plastic surgery financing through CareCredit^{^{^®}} and ALPHAEON^{^{^™}} Credit. Both of these trusted lending companies offer qualified applicants low-interest and interest-free payment options to help accommodate any budgetary concerns. Don’t hesitate to call our office if you would like to speak to a member of our team about financing your procedure or about the cost of neck contouring in general.

Will I Have Noticeable Neck Lift Scars?

After surgery, scars from a neck lift are typically not noticeable to outside observers. Although avoiding scarring altogether is impossible after a surgical procedure, Dr. Goldberg generally makes incisions along the natural contours under the chin to help ensure evidence of surgery is minimized. If liposuction is being utilized, the incisions required are often less than half-an-inch long and should not be very perceptible to others.

Our before-and-after photos of previous patients who have had neck lift surgery can give you a more comprehensive understanding of what to expect after the procedure. Dr. Goldberg will also show you exactly where incisions are likely to be located during your consultation so you can make a well-informed decision about whether to continue with surgery. Thanks to Dr. Goldberg’s years of experience, the vast majority of patients are not troubled by scars after a neck lift. Simple measures can also be taken to further lighten scars once your incisions are fully healed, such as applying sunscreen and skincare products over the area to keep scars from darkening.

Can I Get A Non-Surgical Neck Lift?

While the effectiveness of non-surgical techniques to resolve loose neck skin is limited, patients may be able to reduce excess neck fullness, or a “double chin,” without surgery. KYBELLA^{^{^®}} is a FDA-approved injectable treatment specifically designed to eliminate a double chin and restore the youthful angles of the neck and jawline. This is achieved through its active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, which works to break down targeted fat cells. The excess fat is then naturally metabolized by the body in the months following treatment. With KYBELLA^{^{^®}}, patients who prefer to avoid surgery can still improve the appearance of their neck without downtime or invasiveness. Although rejuvenation with KYBELLA^{^{^®}} will not be immediately visible, many individuals find that the gradual outcome of this cosmetic injectable often produces the illusion that results were achieved naturally.

Are There Any Neck Lift Alternatives?

For certain patients, neck contouring procedures may not be the right approach to improve the profile of the face and neck. Fortunately, Dr. Goldberg offers a variety of face procedures that can act as alternatives to neck lift surgery. Depending on the nature of your desired results, potential treatment options to better define the lower face include:

Chin Surgery: Approaches to chin surgery may involve advancing a weak chin using chin implants, or repositioning the chin bones with sliding genioplasty. This procedure can help improve the profile of the face and strengthen the jawline, resulting in more balanced and harmonious facial proportions.
Non-Surgical Jaw Reduction: Dr. Goldberg performs a highly effective method of minimally invasive jaw reduction using cosmetic injectables. Over time, the shape of the jaw can enlarge due to overactive masseter muscles (the muscles responsible for chewing). Particularly for women who wish for a more narrow, elegant, and feminine jawline, non-surgical jaw reduction can provide a softer look to the jaw. Treatment uses injectable neurotoxins like BOTOX^{^®} Cosmetic and Dysport^{^®} to relax the facial muscles and reduce the size of the jaw for a more proportionate appearance.

Your consultation will be an opportunity for you to discuss your concerns with Dr. Goldberg. During the appointment, he will speak with you about your options and you both will determine the best course of action to achieve your goals. In some cases, the most optimal outcome will result from a combination of surgical and non-surgical techniques.

Dr. Goldberg treats patients from many communities in Westchester and beyond. For more information about neck lift and neck contouring surgery, call our office for a consultation at 914-722-1600.

*Individual Results May Vary