Neck Lift or Neck Liposuction
Both procedures work to refine & contour the neckline, but each uses a very different surgical approach. Which is right for you? It depends on your goals as well as your individual anatomy. Keep reading to learn more about these options.
Neck Liposuction removes excess fat to sculpt a more refined jawline
Liposuction allows Dr. Parker to remove fat from the subcutaneous tissue layer of the neck and sculpt a more youthful, contoured neck and jaw line. You are a good candidate for liposuction of the neck if you have excess fat along with adequate skin and muscle tone. If your skin and/or muscle tone is lax, you will likely need some type of neck lift procedure. Dr. Parker can determine this at your consultation.
Before & After Neck Contouring*
This 34 year old patient was bothered by the “fullness” of her neck since her early twenties. Because the patient had good skin tone, Dr. Parker performed liposuction alone.
Liposuction of the neck is one of the most popular liposuction procedures in cosmetic surgery today. If appropriate, it can be performed at the same time as other procedures, such as a facelift, blepharoplasty, or chin augmentation.
In performing liposuction, Dr. Parker makes a tiny, 3 mm incision under the chin and behind each earlobe. The area to be sculpted is infiltrated with our “super wet” solution. A thin liposuction cannula is inserted through these tiny incisions to remove excess fat and sculpture an improved neck contour. In patients with moderate skin tone, Dr. Parker will discuss the option of Facetite radiofrequency skin tightening.
Liposuction of the neck takes about 30 minutes to perform under local anesthesia, usually supplemented with an “oral cocktail” or light intravenous sedation administered by our anesthesiologist. Patients are discharged shortly after the procedure. There is little pain, and sutures inserted to close the tiny access incisions dissolve by themselves. Swelling and discoloration typically subside within 7 to 10 days. Camouflage make-up can be applied after one week. Patients may return to normal activities in 3 to 4 days and exercise in 10 to 14 days. Results are usually quite dramatic in shaping a more youthful, attractive neck.
Your neck contouring consultation & imaging session
Your consultation is where the fun really begins—and the Parker Center has made the experience particularly special! During your appointment, Dr. Parker will spend extra time with you to ensure that he understands his goals and that you are fully educated about your options so you can make a well-informed decision.
In addition to your time with Dr. Parker, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet with our imaging expert so you can see the possibilities of your procedure. Patients who are comparing providers often tell us our consults are the most thorough and informative they’ve ever experienced!
A neck lift removes excess skin & tightens sagging neck muscles
You will likely need some type of neck lift procedure if you have laxity of your neck skin and/ or platysmal muscles. Dr. Parker will determine this and discuss it with you at your consultation. There are several options here. The components of a neck lift include fat contouring, lifting and tightening the platysma muscle, skin re-draping and redistribution, and skin removal.
Before & After Neck Lift*
This 46 year old patient was bothered by the laxity of her neck skin. Dr. Parker performed a neck lift through incisions behind both ears. This allowed him to suspend the platysmal muscles laterally. He then removed excess skin through these same incisions.
In performing a neck lift, Dr. Parker makes an incision in the skin crease just beneath the chin. He removes any excess fat from this area which will vary from patient to patient. Dr. Parker then sutures the inner or medial aspects of the plastysma muscle together with sutures; this is known as a medial platysmaplasty.
Dr. Parker then makes incisions behind each ear to separate the skin in the neck from the underlying platysma muscles. He removes excessive fat, and then lifts and tightens the fascia at the outer, or lateral edges of the platysma muscles on both sides of the neck using sutures. This creates a “hammock” effect whereby the suspended platysma muscles, united by sutures in the middle of the neck and suspended by sutures at the outer aspect of the neck, create a long-lasting and natural shape in the neck.
Dr. Parker then removes the excess fat, leaving behind a uniform, thin, and contoured blanket of fat. Finally, he re-drapes the neck skin, removing excess skin through these same incisions behind the ears. These incisions are then closed with dissolvable sutures so the scars heal well.
Before & After Neck Contouring*
This 58 year old patient was bothered by the crepiness of her neck skin and prominent muscle banding beneath it. Dr. Parker performed a platysmaplasty, whereby he re-contoured the underlying platysma muscle with sutures through a limited incision beneath the chin and re-draped the lax skin.
The time for surgery ranges from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the extent of skin and muscle laxity. Patients receive either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia administered by our board certified anesthesiologist. They are then monitored overnight in our overnight facility. Postoperatively, patients experience a feeling of tightness under the neck from the “hammock” effect. Stitches are removed within one week. Swelling and discoloration usually subside within 10 to 14 days. Camouflage make-up may be applied after one week. Patients may return to most normal activities in 10 to 14 days postoperatively and a graduated exercise program beginning at two weeks
Rapid recovery after neck contouring
We know your recovery experience is important to your well-being as well as to achieving optimal results. We also want to help you get back to your normal routine as soon as possible! That’s why we have developed special protocols to optimize your post-procedure experience.
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