Neck Lift

Honestly, no. The procedure itself is performed under general anesthesia, and afterwards, you’ll feel more uncomfortable, rather than in pain. This discomfort, however, is temporary (usually lasting only a week, if that) and can be managed with pain medication, icing, and compression garments (in some cases). The most common forms of discomfort include tightness, bruising, and itchiness.

A neck lift typically takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of correction required. After a thorough examination of your neck and surrounding anatomy, your surgeon will be able to provide a time estimate during your consultation. While the procedure is relatively quick, you may be monitored briefly after surgery to ensure your safety.

With a neck lift, you can expect at least four key appointments, including your consultation to learn more about the procedure and set expectations. The next will be a pre-operative visit to ensure you’re medically cleared to proceed and finalize your surgical plan. You will then have the surgery itself, and a series of at least one (likely more) follow-up appointments for our team to monitor your progress and make adjustments to your recovery instructions if necessary.

Results of a neck lift come in phases. While there will be an immediate difference after surgery, you’re going to be dealing with some swelling that will hide your overall results. The bulk of this swelling (and bruising) will fade within 1-2 weeks, making it easier to get out of the house. This swelling will continue to dwindle over the next few months, and many patients see their final results around the 3-6 month mark. In some cases, results can continue to be refined for up to a year.

When performed by an experienced, reputable surgeon, scarring is typically minimal after surgery. The incision is placed discreetly under the chin and is hardly noticeable from a short distance. Over time, scarring will continue to fade, and our team can provide guidance on different ways to help the fading process.

Yes, actually, neck lifts are almost always combined with facelifts for many of our patients. This is because doing so offers more comprehensive results, tackling multiple areas of concern in one surgery (and thus reducing costs, need for anesthesia, and downtime). In other cases, neck lifts are combined with facial balancing, rhinoplasty, or brow lifts. It depends on the patient, and we’re happy to review these options with you during your first appointment.

While generally safe, especially when performed by board-certified, experienced doctors, neck lifts do carry risks. These include reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, scarring, infection, asymmetry, numbness, pain, complications with healing, nerve injury, or more. We want to help you make an informed decision about your procedure, so we will discuss these risks with you in detail during your consultation, along with the measures we take to mitigate them.