Face and Neck Lift
As we age, the skin on our face and neck begins to lose elasticity and collagen, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging. For many, the muscles in the face and neck may also weaken, leading to more pronounced drooping or sagging in these areas. The fat in our faces can also shift and diminish, leading to a hollowed-out or sunken appearance. Sun damage and genetics can also contribute to the formation of crepey skin.
Patients who choose to undergo face and neck lift with Houston board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Berry Fairchild are typically looking to improve the appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging in the face or address loose skin and excess fat in the neck area. Dr. Fairchild is a patient-focused surgeon experienced in customizing these surgical procedures to create a more refreshed and youthful appearance for her patients.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that aims to improve the appearance of the face by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying
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tissues.
Facelift surgery is typically performed on the lower two-thirds of the face, including the cheeks, jowls, and neck. The goal of a facelift is to create a more youthful, refreshed appearance by diminishing wrinkles and sagging skin and addressing other signs of aging. Dr. Fairchild may perform this procedure in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures such as eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), a brow lift, or a forehead lift.
Types of Face Lift Procedures
The facelift plastic surgery procedure has evolved over time and now there are different techniques that can be used such as:
- Minimal incision facelift: This technique uses shorter incisions, and it’s better for minor corrections.
- Full facelift: This procedure includes a neck lift and upper face procedures which may include forehead lift, upper and lower eyelid lift.
- Deep-plane facelift: This procedure goes deeper than the traditional facelift to reposition the underlying structures of the face.
- Short scar facelift: This technique uses shorter incisions and focuses on the lower face and neck.
During your consultation with Dr. Fairchild, she will assess your facial anatomy and discuss your goals before determining which cosmetic surgery will achieve your goals.
What is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift, or lower
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rhytidectomy,
is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the neck. The procedure is typically performed to address skin laxity (loose skin), excess fat, and wrinkles in the neck and jawline. A neck lift can also be done to correct a “turkey neck”, or a sagging or drooping neckline. The surgery is often performed in combination with a facelift, as the neck and face often age at the same rate.
A neck lift can be done in different ways, the most common is a “platysmaplasty” which is a surgical procedure that tightens the neck muscles that run from the collarbone to the jawline. Other techniques include liposuction, which is used to remove excess fat, and cervicoplasty, which involves removing excess skin.
Benefits of Face and Neck Lift
The benefits of a face and neck lift include:
- Improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging in the face and neck
- Creating a more youthful, refreshed appearance
- Enhancing the definition of the jawline and neck
- Improving the appearance of the neck, including reducing the appearance of a “turkey neck” or “double chin”
- Enhancing self-confidence and self-esteem
- Improving the balance and proportion of the face and neck
- Improving the overall symmetry of the face
Face and Neck Lift: What to Expect
Preparing for Face or Neck Lift Surgery
Once you’ve decided you want to address cosmetic and age-related issues regarding your face and neck with surgery, the following step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fairchild. During this consultation, you will meet with Dr. Fairchild to discuss your goals and concerns, and to determine whether you are a good candidate for face and neck lift surgery. Dr. Fairchild will also discuss the risks, benefits, and potential complications of these procedures.
Dr. Fairchild may recommend that you stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, a few weeks before the surgery. Smoking and alcohol may increase the risk of complications during and after the surgery. You will need to stop smoking and avoid alcohol for a certain period before and after the surgery in order to optimize your result and safety.
Once you’ve decided to schedule your procedure, Dr. Fairchild will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for surgery. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully. It is important to have realistic expectations and to be mentally and physically prepared for your surgical procedure and recovery process.
How is a Facelift Performed?
A facelift is an outpatient surgery performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The procedure is typically performed on the lower two-thirds of the face, including the cheeks, jowls, and neck.
Dr. Fairchild develops a custom surgical plan for each patient and the specifics of the procedure can vary depending on the patient’s individual needs. Generally, a facelift begins with Dr. Fairchild making predetermined incisions in strategic locations, such as in front of the ears, under and around the earlobe, and sometimes extending into the hairline. She then lifts the skin, tightens the underlying muscle and tissue, and removes any excess fat. She re-drapes the remaining skin over the newly contoured underlying structures, and excises any remaining excess skin. Finally, Dr. Fairchild will close the incisions with sutures.
How is a Neck Lift Performed?
A neck lift is also an outpatient surgery that can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. There are different techniques that can be used to perform a neck lift, and the most common is the platysmaplasty, which is a surgical procedure that tightens the platysma muscle, which runs from the collarbone to the jawline and is responsible for the appearance of the neck. Other techniques include liposuction, which is used to remove excess fat, and cervicoplasty, which involves removing excess skin.
Like a facelift, the specifics of a neck lift procedure can vary depending on the patient’s unique anatomy and cosmetic goals, however, in general, neck lift surgery begins with Dr. Fairchild making incisions behind each ear, and sometimes under the chin. She will then lift and tighten the underlying muscle and tissue, and remove any excess fat. Liposuction may be used to remove excess fat from the neck area if needed, and in some cases, Dr. Fairchild may remove a small amount of excess skin to improve the contour of the neck in a technique called cervicoplasty. The last step in a neck lift is closing the incisions with sutures.
Recovery After Face or Neck Lift Surgery
You will need to arrange for someone to help you with your daily activities for a few days after the surgery, so you should plan accordingly. You should also prepare your home by arranging for meals, stocking up on necessary items, and making sure that you have a comfortable place to rest.
Recovery after a face and neck lift can vary depending on the individual patient and the extent of the procedure, but generally, patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort for the first few days after the surgery. Dr. Fairchild will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself during your recovery period and may recommend light lymphatic massage be included as part of the healing process.
Dr. Fairchild will provide pain medication to help manage any discomfort and will schedule several follow-up appointments to ensure you’re healing optimally. Swelling and bruising are normal and will gradually subside over the course of a few weeks. It’s important to take it easy and rest for the first few days after the surgery and avoid strenuous activities as well as bending, lifting, or straining for the first few weeks after the surgery.
Dr. Fairchild will provide you with a protocol for keeping the incision sites clean and dry and provide instructions for optimal scarring. The swelling and bruising will gradually subside, and the final results from a face and neck lift are typically visible a few weeks following the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Face and Neck Lift
How long do the results from a face and neck lift last?
The results of a facelift can last for up to 10 years, but the effects of aging will eventually
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continue.
Factors such as sun exposure, smoking, and genetics can also affect the longevity of the results.
How much does a face and neck lift cost?
The cost of a facelift can vary depending on several factors, including the type of facelift performed, and whether any additional procedures are done at the same time. The best way to determine your exact costs is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fairchild.
What are the risks of a face and neck lift?
Face and neck lift surgery is considered safe when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, however, as with any surgery there is some risk of complications. Risks include bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, and nerve
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damage.
Dr. Fairchild will discuss these risks with you in detail before the surgery.
Will a face and neck lift leave visible scarring?
The incision lines from a facelift and/or a neck lift are typically well-hidden within the hairline and in natural creases of the face and ears, but any time an incision is made there will be scarring. The amount and visibility of the scarring will vary depending on the technique used by Dr. Fairchild and patient factors including genetics and compliance with wound care.
How long is the recovery period after a face and neck lift?
The recovery period can vary depending on the individual patient and the extent of the procedure, but most patients can expect to return to work within two weeks and to normal activities at approximately four
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weeks.
Contact Dr. Berry Fairchild
Dr. Fairchild is passionate about providing her patients with the information necessary for them to make the best decision for their individual needs. If you’d like to learn more about your options for facial rejuvenation with face and neck lift surgery, please contact us today to schedule your consultation at Dr. Fairchild’s practice in Houston.
1 ASPS. Facelift Surgery. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift. Accessed January 26, 2023.
2 ASPS. Neck Lift. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/neck-lift. Accessed January 26, 2023.
3 University of Utah Health. Facelift, Mini Facelift, & Neck Lift. Available: https://healthcare.utah.edu/plasticsurgery/facial/facelift-midlift-necklift.php#. Accessed January 26, 2023.
4 Mayo Clinic. Face-lift. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/face-lift/about/pac-20394059. Accessed January 26, 2023.
5 ASPS. Your facelift recovery explained from Day 1 to Day 30. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/your-facelift-recovery-explained-from-day-1-to-day-30. Accessed January 26, 2023.