Tighten and tone sagging skin and muscles around the neck
Starting in our 40s, the effects of age, sun exposure, and general stresses start to become apparent in our necks. The neck lift procedure is designed to try to reverse these changes and give the neck a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Loose and sagging skin in the neck is difficult to treat with non-surgical methods. A neck lift helps to improve the contour of the jawline and slim the neck, giving a more youthful appearance. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with a face lift. Some of the main benefits of this procedure are that it tightens skin and muscle in the neck, greatly improves your neck contour and jawline, removes unwanted double chin fat, and provides you with a more youthful profile.
Is a Neck Lift Right for Me?
If you notice that your neck skin is sagging, or that you have vertical bands in your neck, then a neck lift may be the right procedure to help rejuvenate your appearance. If sagging and laxity are limited to the neck area, a neck lift may be all that is required. This procedure involves an incision under the chin, through which the excess fat is removed and the neck muscles are tightened. Excess skin also may be trimmed away to create a smoother, more youthful appearance.
A neck lift may be right for you if:
- You feel you have a fat neck or double chin
- Have lost the definition of your jaw line and you want it restored
- Have excess skin bands, wrinkles, creases in your neck
There is a large amount of information to review during a neck lift consultation. Dr. Dawes will usually spend approximately an hour with you during this consultation to go over all of the surgical details and options prior to creating a custom surgical plan for you that addresses all of your concerns and goals. He will go over risks and complications and give you an idea of what you should expect in terms of results and recovery.
How a Neck Lift is performed:
Dr. Dawes utilizes advanced techniques to provide natural-looking results while minimizing scarring. The procedure typically begins with a carefully placed incision in a natural crease in front of the earlobe. This incision extends around the back of the ear and into the hairline, allowing discreet healing.
Depending on the patient's specific concerns, the neck lift may involve:
- Fat Removal: Excess fat beneath the chin and along the jawline may be removed through liposuction to refine contours and reduce the appearance of a double chin.
- Muscle Tightening (Platysmaplasty): The platysma muscle, which often weakens with age, is tightened or sutured together to create a smoother, firmer neckline. This step reduces the appearance of vertical neck bands.
- Skin Redraping and Removal: After the underlying structures are adjusted, excess skin is carefully trimmed and repositioned for a tighter, more youthful look.
Dr. Dawes' meticulous technique ensures that the results appear natural, avoiding an overly pulled or artificial appearance. The procedure is usually two to three hours, depending on the extent of correction needed. There is typically some swelling and bruising after, but these gradually subside, revealing a more refined and rejuvenated neck contour.
Recovery Expectations
You may experience a feeling of numbness around the incisions. This is normal and may persist for weeks to months. Swelling normally subsides after three weeks, but can occasionally persist longer. Bruising may be extensive. It will be worst at 3-4 days post and may persist for up to 3 weeks. You will need to avoid prolonged exposure to sun and heat for three months to prevent swelling of your face. Your compression garment should be worn full-time for two weeks following your surgery.
Why Choose Dr. Jeffrey C. Dawes, MD
When considering a neck lift, choosing the right surgeon is crucial, and Dr. Jeffrey C. Dawes, MD, stands apart with his extensive expertise and dedication to superior patient care. With 17 years of post-secondary education, including five years in the rigorous aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery program at the University of Calgary, Dr. Dawes brings unparalleled surgical skill and precision to every neck lift procedure. His extensive experience covers aesthetic surgery, complex facial reconstruction, and microsurgery, ensuring patients receive care grounded in deep anatomical knowledge and meticulous technique.
Certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and an active member of prominent medical organizations, including the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Alberta Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Dawes is committed to staying at the forefront of his field. His dedication to patient education, compassionate care, and achieving natural, harmonious results distinguishes his practice. Supported by an accessible, highly knowledgeable team dedicated to patient comfort and satisfaction, Dr. Dawes provides a personalized, supportive experience, guiding patients confidently through each step of their aesthetic journey.
Neck Lift FAQs
Dr. Dawes’ neck lift procedure will remove excess hanging skin from the neck and jawline, restore definition at the jawline, and smooth wrinkles on the neck to provide a more youthful contour.
Yes, a neck lift is often combined with a facelift, brow lift, dermal fillers, eyelid surgery, or laser resurfacing.
Recovery varies from patient to patient, and depends on the extent of the face lift procedure you choose. After your outpatient procedure, you will leave our surgery centre with your head and neck lightly wrapped in dressings, which are usually removed the next day. Most patients find that their discomfort is easily managed with oral medications. You will have some swelling and bruising, and sutures that will be removed approximately 10 days after surgery. Swelling usually subsides after three weeks, but can occasionally persist longer. Bruising may be extensive. It will be worst 3-4 days and may persist for up to 3 weeks. Avoid prolonged exposure to sun and heat for three months to prevent swelling of your face.
Usually, patients can return to work within one to two weeks following neck lift surgery. Recovery time can vary depending on the specifics of the surgery and the patient.
You may resume gentle activity one to two weeks following your neck lift surgery. More vigorous types of exercise can begin once Dr. Dawes tells you it is safe - Generally within 3 weeks.
Each surgery is unique and will be tailored to the needs of the individual patient. Due to the natural aging process, results will not last forever. With proper after care and a healthy lifestyle, your results will last much longer. 8-10 years is the typical duration.
Incisions for a neck lift are placed around the front of the earlobe, and then into the hairline at the back behind the ears. The technique is a scar which begins in a natural crease in front of the ear lobe, extending around the back of the ear and into the hairline.
This procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia.
It is important to note that neck lift surgery does not stop the ageing process. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skin care regimen are strongly recommended to help patients get the most longevity out of their surgery results.
Yes, a neck lift can help with a double chin by eliminating excess fat, tightening loose skin, and refining the jawline. Sometimes, liposuction helps achieve optimal contouring.
Yes, a neck lift tightens the muscles and removes excess skin to correct sagging jowls. However, if jowls are severe, a facelift with a neck lift may offer more comprehensive results.
To prepare for a neck lift, follow your surgeon's instructions, including stopping certain medications, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet. You should also arrange post-surgery assistance and ensure your home is ready for recovery.
Final results typically emerge after swelling and bruising subside, usually within three to six months. Results will continue to refine as the skin settles and heals.
Refresh Your Neck with a Neck Lift in Calgary, AB
A neck lift can take years off your look by refining your jawline, tightening loose skin, and enhancing overall facial harmony. With Dr. Dawes' expert approach, you can achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results with minimal scarring. Call 403-571-3141 today to schedule your consultation and experience how a neck lift can transform your confidence!
