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Gravity, age, and environmental factors can leave you with excess fat and sagging skin in the neck area that resembles a “turkey neck” or “turkey wattle.” A neck lift procedure can help you achieve long-lasting improvement in your neck contour.

The board-certified plastic surgeons at UCI Plastic Surgery are skilled in a range of facial plastic surgeries, including neck lifts. Based on your desired outcome, we will create a personalized treatment plan to most effectively address your concerns and rejuvenate your look.

What is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical method of treating unwanted signs of aging in the neck and jawline areas. Our surgeons can reshape your neck and refine your jawline by addressing the following:

• Sagging or excess skin – Our plastic surgeon will remove loose skin to smooth and tighten the area.
• Vertical neck bands – Vertical neck bands can result from repeated facial expressions and other contractions of the platysma muscle.
• Wrinkles – Tightening the skin of the neck can reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the area.
• Double chin – Liposuction may be needed in conjunction with your neck lift to most effectively address submental fat deposits.
• Muscle weakness – Weakened neck muscles can be tightened in a neck lift procedure, helping to improve tone.

What Procedures can be Combined with a Neck Lift?

A neck lift can be done on its own or in combination with other facial plastic surgeries. In your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, you will have the opportunity to discuss all of your cosmetic concerns and goals for treatment. This allows us to develop a customized treatment plan. Procedures that can complement a neck lift include:

• Eyelid surgery
• Brow lift
• Facelift
• Liposuction
• Injectables

How Long is Recovery from a Neck Lift?

Plan to take about two weeks away from your normal activities after surgery. You will have some discomfort like bruising and swelling as you recover, and you will need to limit certain movements that could strain the treatment area. It is also important to keep your head elevated and straight and to protect your neck from abrasion and trauma.

You will see gradual improvements over the next several weeks or months as you continue to heal and swelling dissipates. Our plastic surgeon will clear you for increased activity as your healing progresses.

When is the Best Time to have a Neck Lift?

The best time to have a neck lift is whenever you are ready. When scheduling, keep in mind that you will need some time off work and will need some assistance around your home in the first couple of weeks after surgery.

The holiday season can be a great time for plastic surgery as you may have days off work or loved ones in town who can help with childcare or other tasks around the house. We are also offering reduced surgeon’s fees on neck lift procedures through November.

Schedule a Neck Lift Consultation in Orange County

A consultation is the first step to finding out if a neck lift can help you rejuvenate your appearance. We have three convenient locations in Orange County. To schedule a consultation at our Costa Mesa location, call 949-999-2411. For our Tustin and Orange locations, call 714-456-3077.