Neck Lift Surgery

Removal of Excess fat and tightening the muscles of the Neck

Neck lift surgery is part of the group of procedures that are done for facial rejuvenation. The procedure can also be done in younger patients who have an extra deposit of fatty tissue and loose skin and muscle in this area as a congenital “deformity”. This often runs in families. It is also done to correct the “Turkey gobbler” deformity which some people develop as the edges of the platysma muscle separate and pull down.

In general I avoid using liposuction in the neck because liposuction does not correct all of the issues in an aging neck or even in a fatty neck. The other reason that I avoid liposuction, is that the extra fat may be superficial in which case it may be amenable to liposuction, or it may be deep under the muscles (platysma) in which case it cannot be safely and predictably accessed with liposuction alone. If an attempt is made to remove fat superficially when really the extra fat is deep a severe deformity will be caused with the skin and inherent to the underlying muscle and with severe deformity and irregularity of the next skin, which is very difficult to correct. It is not always easy to tell where the extra fat is located. For the same reason I would avoid the use of Kybella or similar injections, since the targeted fat is only superficial.

In most people who have loss of the angle of their jawline and extra fatty tissue in the neck an open surgical procedure is needed. This is done through a small incision just under the chin. This allows access to the entire neck area and the fat can be removed under direct vision in a controlled fashion. Also the edges of the platysma muscle which is the sheet of muscle that covers the neck, can be identified and sutured together And tightened to re-form the natural sling that supports the neck tissues. Other maneuvers can be done to improve the angle of the jawline and the definition of the junction between the neck and the jawline.

Neck lift surgery is often combined with facelift surgery, but may also be done as an isolated procedure.

If you have an interest in Neck lift surgery please contact the office to set up a consultation so that Dr. Green can assess you in detail and advise you what would be best in your case.