Neck Lift

What is a Neck Lift?

A Neck Lift is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck. The jowls or turkey neck can make someone look older than they feel. Patients who struggle with sagging skin in the neck can turn to Dr. Elisa Burgess in her Lake Oswego, OR practice to undergo a neck lift to correct the issue. A neck lift can treat the following:

  • Excess fat and skin relaxation in the lower face that creates jowls
  • Excess fatty deposits under the chin
  • Loose neck skin
  • Muscle banding in the neck, which creates abnormal contours
Before
After

The ideal patients for these surgeries are those who choose them to correct sagging jowls, deep nasolabial folds, excess skin in the lower face, fat deposits of folds in the neck, or a general sagging of the face or neck. Oftentimes the facelift and the neck lift surgeries are done together. This is because improving only one area and not the other area may bring disharmony to the face and neck region. Ideal patients should also be healthy, nonsmokers, and are usually between 40 and 60 years old. Patients who struggle with high blood pressure, issues with blood clotting, or a tendency to form excessive scars should first consult their surgeon to make sure they are candidates for a facelift and neck lift.

In general, patients who undergo face and neck lift procedures in Portland look the same but significantly younger. The goal is to restore the patient to a more youthful, but still natural appearance.

A traditional neck lift incision often begins in the hairline at the level of the sideburn, continues down and around the ear and ends in the posterior hair. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the jowls and neck. The tissue underlying the neck skin is repositioned, and commonly the platysma muscle is tightened. Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A separate incision under the chin is often necessary for liposuction of this area and for repair of the muscle. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.

Incision lines are closed with sutures and perhaps skin glue. Sutures may be dissolving or may need to be removed after a few days. Once healed, the incision lines from a neck lift are usually well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the ear. The visible improvements of a neck lift appear as swelling and bruising subside. Your final neck lift result should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself.

Individualized instructions will be given with regard to dressings and a special jaw bra may be worn. Dr. Burgess will encourage you to walk around after surgery. Bruising, swelling, and aching are likely, and oftentimes patients look worse than they feel for at least the week following surgery. Swelling may contribute to some loss of feeling in the face and discomfort may be managed with medication. It is imperative to avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks. Traveling long distances is not recommended in the first month following surgery. Ensure that you attend all scheduled exams following surgery. Scars from the procedure will be noticeable at first but will improve over the next year. Results of the procedure are not permanent as gravity and aging continue to play a role. Understand that results are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and may require future revision surgery.

If you are interested in a neck lift and want to schedule a consultation, or if you have any questions, please contact our office.

Get in Touch Today

* All fields must be completed.
Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only.

OFFICE DETAILS

16865 Boones Ferry Rd, Suite 101
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Monday-Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday hours available by appointment

Accessibility Toolbar

Scroll to Top