Direct Neck Lift

Direct neck lift surgery is primarily designed to enhance and tighten the neck, eliminating excess tissue, fat or “banding” that often forms as we age. Sometimes, the appearance of a chubby neck, double chin or “wobbly” neck with a poor angle can be the result of three things: a lax platysma muscle, excess fat and the presence of a large fold of excess skin (sometimes called a “turkey wattle”).

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The Skinny

Direct Neck Lift

avg. recovery: 3 weeks
permanence: Is permanent
Type: Surgical Procedure
surgical: Yes
cost: $5000 - $8000

About the Procedure

Last Updated: 04.17.2021

A direct neck lift is essentially the combination of a cervicoplasty, which removes excess skin, with a platysmaplasty, which tightens the underlying muscles in the neck. A facelift will help tighten the lower half of the face but a neck lift will further define the facial contour and profile by creating an aesthetically pleasing angle from the chin to the chest. During a direct neck lift, an incision will be placed underneath the chin where the resulting scar can be easily hidden. The skin of the neck will then be elevated to expose the underlying fat. The fat will either be removed by direct excision or with liposuction. Once the fat has been removed the underlying platysma muscles will be tightened and bound with sutures, creating structural support and the new neck angle. Any excess skin will then be removed, cutting away the appearance of a double chin or turkey wattle. The incision will then be closed with sutures. A compression garment must then be worn for several weeks after the surgery to assist in healing.

The goal of a direct neck lift is to reduce or remove excess skin underneath the chin area and tighten the platysma muscles.

Concerns

Direct Neck Lift addresses concerns such as:

What to Expect

Direct neck lift surgery is primarily designed to enhance and tighten the neck, eliminating excess tissue, fat, or “banding” that often forms during the natural aging process. Here is a quick guide for what to expect before, during, and after a direct neck lift.

Before Treatment

Stop taking blood thinning medications 2 weeks before
Stop topical medications such as Retin-A or other tretinoin products
Stop smoking 4 weeks before and after
No alcohol 5 days prior
Do not eat or drink 6 hours before

During Treatment

Local anesthesia with sedation
Small incision underneath the chin
Excess fat removed via excision or liposuction
Platysma muscles are tightened
Excess skin is removed
Sutures to close

Recovery Notes

Swelling, bruising, and soreness are to be expected. Incisions are cleaned 4-6 times daily by cleansing the incision lines with hydrogen peroxide and applying bacitracin ointment. Sutures are removed at 1 week. Avoid turning the head or stretching the neck for 2 weeks. When turning, move the shoulders and head as one unit. Sleep in an inclined position with the head elevated for 2-4 weeks to reduce swelling.