NECK LIFT By Joshua Zuckerman, MD, FACS in New York City
Right oblique view of a neck lift patient by Dr. Zuckerman. Images were taken before surgery and one year post-op.
Introduction to Neck Lift
Neck lift surgery by Dr. Zuckerman is a targeted cosmetic surgery of the neck to address ptosis (sag), excess deposits of fat, vertical bands due to muscle laxity, and more. Hanging skin under the jaw or in the frontal portion of the neck are often informally called turkey neck or turkey wattle, and a neck lift is a highly effective and safe corrective procedure. Weight gain or loss, sun damage, genetics, and simply aging can result in these aesthetic issues. With this procedure, Dr. Zuckerman can lift and tighten the tissue of the neck by removing excess skin or fat and in some cases by tightening certain neck muscles. In addition, some patients may require only submental, under the chin, liposuction. Many patients combine a neck lift with a full or mini facelift, and Dr. Zuckerman will advise you as to which procedure may be the best fit for you. Dr. Zuckerman trained at some of the most elite institutions in the world including Brown University and New York University and will do his utmost to ensure a safe, comfortable surgical experience and a high-quality, subtle, natural-looking result.
Good candidates for neck lift surgery are in relatively good health overall, are able to obtain medical clearance for surgery, and have good skin elasticity. If you suffer from one or more of the below aesthetic issues, Dr. Zuckerman may be able to help you restore a youthful appearance to your neck:
- Drooping or overly wrinkled neck skin
- Excess deposits of submental fat causing a double chin
- Jowling along the jawline
- Vertical banding of the neck due to age-related laxity of the plastysmal muscles in the neck. These are known as platysmal bands.
For milder issues of jowling, Dr. Zuckerman may be able to use injectable dermal fillers to create a more linear jawline with non-surgical jawline contouring. If you would like to address horizontal neck lines and wrinkles, Dr. Zuckerman may be able to treat you with Botox Cosmetic or perform non-surgical neck rejuvenation.
An illustration of the areas that neck lift surgery by Dr. Zuckerman will address.
A traditional neck lift is a collection of surgical techniques but typically involves an incision under the chin. However, some patients also require an incision behind the ears. Dr. Zuckerman removes excess skin and may perform submental (under the chin) liposuction to remove excess deposits of fat. He will also tighten the platysmal muscles of the neck if needed in what is known medically as a platysmaplasty. Neck lift surgery typically lasts two to three hours under general anesthesia, and you may undergo surgery on an out-patient basis at Dr. Zuckerman’s in-office state-of-the-art, fully equipped operating room in midtown Manhattan. This operatory facility has been certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), certifying it as a facility that offers an equally high standard of care as a hospital. The privacy, discretion, and convenience of Dr. Zuckerman’s private in-office operating room facility is an exclusive benefit of Zuckerman Plastic Surgery that many patients appreciate. Should you desire, you may also undergo surgery with Dr. Zuckerman at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, a major hospital in Manhattan in the Northwell system where all types of breast, body, and face cosmetic surgery procedures are performed. Dr. Zuckerman is on staff in the department of plastic surgery for Northwell system hospitals in Manhattan among others.
Like facelift surgery, hotel stays and private nursing can be arranged through Dr. Zuckerman’s surgical coordinator as part of your surgery. Some bruising and swelling is to be expected after surgery, and Dr. Zuckerman will prescribe any pain medication required to management postoperative discomfort. Dr. Zuckerman may place a small surgical drain to collect excess fluid, which he removes relatively painlessly in the office approximately one week after surgery. He may also provide a compression garment to reduce swelling and expedite the healing process. Most patients may resume their normal routine one to two weeks after surgery but should avoid placing stress on incisions or performing heavy lifting or other strenuous activity for several weeks. Depending on the extent of your procedure or combination of procedures, Dr. Zuckerman will advise you as to the proper postoperative care for your treatment.
Right oblique view of a neck lift patient by Dr. Zuckerman. Images were taken before surgery and one year post-op.
Left oblique view of a neck lift patient by Dr. Zuckerman. Images were taken before surgery and one year post-op.
More Before & Afters
Dr. Zuckerman publishes many of his previous neck lift results with patient consent. The before and after image gallery has pairs of high resolution images from three to four angles for each patient. Many prospective patients enjoy finding a similar case to their own that Dr. Zuckerman has performed in the past. Take a look through the gallery by clicking on the button below.
This surgery is overwhelmingly safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Zuckerman and his team take the utmost care to minimize the risk of complication and to ensure your surgical journey is safe and comfortable. Possible complications, although rare, include:
- Collection of fluid, called a seroma
- Minor wound healing problems
- Asymmetry or contour irregularities
Below are the answers to some questions Dr. Zuckerman most frequently receives from prospective patients. If you don’t see your question below, feel free to contact Dr. Zuckerman’s office, and a member of his staff will be glad to reach out to you.
Are there non-surgical options for neck rejuvenation?
Yes, Dr. Zuckerman can offer you several non-surgical options to rejuvenate the neck area. He can treat you with Botox to ameliorate transverse lines or wrinkles in the neck or milder forms of platysmal banding. Dr. Zuckerman can also use Kybella to permanently eliminate submental, under the chin, fat. There are also options with Juvederm or Radiesse to improve and contour your jawline.
Can I undergo liposuction of the neck as part of a neck lift?
Yes, liposuction is often part of a neck lift and presents a more definitive solution than Kybella.
Are you ready for your neck lift consultation with Dr. Zuckerman? He will perform a thorough evaluation of your desired outcome and needs based on your anatomy and medical history. Dr. Zuckerman will also address any questions or concerns you may have about the surgery and discuss with you the details of his approach: incision location(s), procedure length and techniques, likely operative outcome, etc. Contact his office by clicking the button below or by calling 212-231-9897. Dr. Zuckerman also offers consultations via Skype and a process for out-of-town patients to visit New York City to have surgery with him.
OTHER LINKS
Dr. Zuckerman has been selected as a SuperDoctor and profiled in The New York Times Magazine SuperDoctors issue three years in a row.
Dr. Zuckerman was quoted on the use of Kybella to eliminate submental, under the chin, fat. He also opined on how an angular jaw line is essential to societal classical perceptions of facial beauty.
Dr. Zuckerman appeared on an episode of The Doctors TV show on CBS for a preoperative evaluation of a severe burn victim who requires a complex plastic surgery reconstruction.
A mother and daughter pair of Dr. Zuckerman’s patients were interviewed by the New York Post about how much they enjoy their experience at Dr. Zuckerman’s office, undergoing cosmetic Botox and Juvederm treatments.
Dr. Zuckerman opined on the trend of “Trophy Husbands” where men undergo plastic surgery for Fox5 News.
Dr. Zuckerman was interviewed on nipple piercings, their implications for breastfeeding, and why plastic surgery intervention may be required to remove them.
Dr. Zuckerman was selected as a SuperDoctor for New York state for plastic surgery. This selection is Dr. Zuckerman’s third year in a row and recognizes him as one of the best plastic surgeons in New York.
Dr. Zuckerman discussed the fact that liposuction is not a shortcut to weight loss. It is a sculpturing tool best used to shape and contour targeted problem areas with excess, stubborn fat.
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