The vast majority of neck lift patients do not have neck lift regrets. Undergoing neck lift surgery and ending up with a botched neck lift is very rare.
For most patients, as long as a board-certified plastic surgeon is chosen, surgery goes very well, neck lift recovery is simple and smooth, and the patient is left with glowing results, which can typically be seen in full after approximately three to six months.
What Does a Neck Lift Entail?
Neck lift surgery is a cosmetic surgery procedure that addresses signs of aging on the neck and lower face (sagging skin, wrinkles, neck bands, etc.). This procedure is very commonly performed and is best done by board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in facial plastic surgery.
The procedure starts with the administration of anesthesia. Most neck lifts require general anesthesia. Your surgeon will then make a small incision directly beneath the chin.
Sometimes, this is the only incision that is needed for a modest neck lift procedure. However, patients who want to address more signs of aging along the lower face — or who have extensive wrinkling and skin sagging on the neck — may also require incisions to be made in front of, below, and behind the ear. Fortunately, these incisions can be discreetly placed so that they heal without being visible.
Your plastic surgeon will then manipulate your skin, tissue, and fat in such a way as to lift the neck and smooth out lines and wrinkles. Loose skin will be removed, and the muscles will be tightened to create a more youthful appearance while still remaining natural-looking.
Signs of a Bad Neck Lift
As stated above, most neck lift procedures go very well. There are typically no complications, and patients tend to be very happy with their reduction in excess skin and smoothed contours.
If facial cosmetic surgery does go wrong, it would likely be the following signs of a bad neck lift that you would see.
Skin Pulled Too Tight
While one of the goals of neck lift surgery is to gently pull and lift the skin, tissue, and muscles of the neck tighter, if these areas are pulled too tightly, this can give an unnatural appearance to the patient’s neck.
Botched Neck Lift Scars
The best plastic surgeons will make neck lift incisions carefully beneath the chin and around the ear and within the hairline. In fact, some lucky patients will only end up with one neck lift scar right beneath their chin.
Unfortunately, if these incisions are poorly made or if they don’t heal well, scars may be noticeable. While this is unlikely, it is a potential bad outcome of neck lift surgery and may lead to neck lift regrets for some patients.
Poor Wound Healing, Infection, or Fluid Retention
Any plastic surgery (or surgery in general) may potentially result in a poor medical outcome. This means that an infection, excessive bleeding, seromas, hematomas, or other poor wound healing results may occur.
Your plastic surgeon will give you detailed aftercare instructions and should plan to meet with you for several follow up appointments after your surgery to ensure that these things don’t happen. If they do occur, however, this can complicate recovery and make some patients regret their surgery in the first place.
Unfavorable Results
Lastly, while it is unlikely to happen if you choose a qualified plastic surgeon, some patients are simply unhappy with their results.
The best way to avoid this is to choose a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You should also choose someone with past results that you like the look of. Take your time when researching your surgeon, and be sure to look carefully at their neck lift before and after photos.
Neck Lift FAQs
Can a neck lift correct a double chin?
No, neck rejuvenation with neck lift surgery will improve an aged neck appearance. This means giving the patient tighter skin on the neck, reducing lines and wrinkles, smoothing neck bands, and getting rid of extra skin.
Chin and neck liposuction (chin liposuction) is a surgical procedure that can correct a double chin by removing excess fat. This can indeed improve the neck’s appearance by giving the patient a more defined jaw line, but it does not help reduce loose neck skin or correct fine lines and wrinkles.
Who is a good candidate for a neck lift?
Patients who are good candidates for neck lift surgery are struggling with signs of aging on their neck and lower face. They may have poor skin elasticity, bands on their neck, wrinkles and fine lines, sagging neck skin, and other signs of aging.
Patients must be non-smokers and in good overall physical health. It’s best to be at your ideal weight, as weight fluctuations after surgery may change your results.
What is neck lift recovery like?
Most patients experience a smooth recovery after neck lift surgery. It’s important to avoid heavy lifting and exercise and to wear your compression garment as directed.
Sleep with your head elevated (and on your back), and be sure to attend all followup appointments. Bruising, swelling, and some slight pain are to be expected. Take pain meds as directed.
Request a Consultation Appointment
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rachel Mason would be delighted to speak with you about undergoing neck lift surgery at her Las Vegas practice. If you are interested in a neck lift, please get in touch with us today to request a consultation with Dr. Mason.