Neck Lift in Pittsburgh, PA

Neck lift surgery — also known as platysmaplasty — is a procedure performed to remove excess sagging skin under the jaw-line and on the neck due to the natural aging process. A neck lift may also correct heavy neck or double chin concerns and is often a surgery performed on patients who have lost a considerable amount of weight. Oftentimes, patients will choose to have a neck lift when they are also scheduled to have a facelift. These procedures can be performed in conjunction with one another to give patients a complete transformation. During the initial consultation with Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, Dr. James Fernau, the various neck lift procedures will be discussed. A neck lift can restore a tight, youthful appearance to the skin under the chin and neck area. 

Patients in Coraopolis, PA who may be contemplating getting a neck lift could consider a number of benefits of this treatment:

• Creating a more defined and youthful neck and jawline
• Removing and tightening loose, sagging, or "turkey neck" skin
• Boosting your overall self-confidence
• Helping you feel more comfortable showing your neckline
• Achieving a natural look
• Results that last a long time

A neck lift removes hanging skin and reshapes the neck. During the procedure, an incision is placed under the chin and/or behind or in front of the ears. If fat deposits are present and need to be removed, liposuction will be used during the surgery and performed first. The final steps of treatment will be to trim away excess skin, pull the remaining underlying tissue and muscle tight, and suture the incision.

This procedure is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient surgery at an accredited surgical clinic. The duration of the surgery usually takes around 2 hours, although it may vary depending on the case. Bruising and swelling will be visible after the surgery, but this will subside in the few short days following the procedure. Initially, patients will feel tightness and numbness. Once the neck adjusts to its new position, patients will notice a more relaxed feeling and a beautiful surgical result. It can take up to 6 months for the final results to appear.

For a complete neck lift, the cost can fluctuate between $5,500 to $9,000. This cost may vary further if liposuction is included in the surgery.

Surgery is the only way to remove loose skin, especially if it is loose enough to hang and droop. Therefore, a neck lift is the only solution when it comes to redefining an individual’s neck to create a strong contour. While there are some very good skin tightening laser treatments on the market today, surgery is still the best option.

There is minimal scarring with this procedure. Since the incision is placed under the chin and near the ears, the scarring is usually hidden. A skilled facial surgeon will take great effort to minimize scarring as much as possible.

This depends on the situation and the amount of loose and sagging skin that is present. Some weight loss patients are young and may require a neck lift at a young age (for example, those between 20-30). For older patients who are combatting loose skin due to aging, the most common age is between 50-70.

During the initial consultation, it may be brought up that in addition to a neck lift, the patient may also benefit from another procedure, such as a facelift or a chin implant. It is common for these additional procedures to be combined to achieve the patient’s desired contours and aesthetic goals.