Neck Lift

UT Southwestern Medical Center is nationally known for expertise in cosmetic and plastic surgery, including procedures such as neck lifts. Our surgeons and their teams provide exceptional care to help patients achieve a refreshed appearance.

Expertise in Neck Lifts

A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that addresses loose neck skin, a double chin, “jowls,” and other issues caused by the aging process.

UT Southwestern’s experienced cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons are experts in advanced techniques for neck lifts. By conducting research studies, we are able to bring the latest advancements from the lab to the bedside for our patients, with whom we work closely in order to understand their goals and provide treatment to help meet them.

Options for Neck Lifts

Our cosmetic and plastic surgeons can perform a neck lift alone or at the same time as other facial procedures, such as a face lift, forehead lift, or chin lift.

We can achieve several results with a neck lift, such as:

• Removing excess skin
• Removing or adjusting neck muscles
• Removing excess fat with liposuction

What to Expect From a Neck Lift

A neck lift is an outpatient procedure, and patients can go home the same day. In the first step, our surgeons discuss anesthesia options with patients to provide comfort during the procedure. Anesthesia options include:

• General anesthesia
• Sedation

The second step begins with the surgeon making small incisions within the hairline on the back of the neck and behind the ears. Depending on the patient’s goals for the neck lift, the surgeon performs one or more procedures, such as:

• Redistributing or removing fat from the jowls and neck
• Tightening neck muscles
• Repositioning the neck skin and underlying tissue
• Removing excess neck skin

Sometimes, we make a small incision under the chin to tighten the central muscles in the neck and use liposuction to remove unwanted fat.

In the third step, the surgeon closes the incisions using sutures or skin adhesives. A drain tube is often placed for most patients. 

During their recovery, patients can expect to:

• Receive medication to relieve pain and/or reduce the risk of infection for a few days after the procedure
• Have some swelling and mild bruising for the first few days; most swelling goes away in about two weeks, but some minor swelling can last several weeks
• Return to work and most activities within a week
• Resume more strenuous activities after a few weeks