Neck Lift Surgery - AesthetiCare AesthetiCare

When you catch a glimpse of yourself in profile or notice the dreaded “turkey neck” in photos, do you feel frustrated by what you see? Perhaps you’ve tried countless creams and treatments, only to find that stubborn neck sagging and bands persist despite your best efforts. If this resonates with you, you’re certainly not alone.

The neck is often one of the most telling areas when it comes to aging, yet it’s frequently overlooked in our skincare routines and aesthetic treatments. Unlike the face, which receives daily attention and care, the neck can develop significant signs of aging that dramatically impact our overall appearance and self-confidence. We understand how these changes can make you feel older than your years.

A neck lift can help you reclaim your youthful profile and restore the confidence that comes with looking as vibrant as you feel by addressing the specific concerns that develop in the neck area as we age.

Understanding Neck Lifts

A neck lift, also known as platysmaplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance of the neck and jawline. This outpatient surgery addresses excess skin, muscle banding and fat deposits that create an aged appearance in the neck.

As we age, the platysma muscle separates and forms visible bands, while skin loses elasticity and begins to sag. Fat deposits may accumulate under the chin, creating a double chin that diet and exercise cannot eliminate. A neck lift addresses these factors simultaneously, tightening muscle structure, removing excess skin and repositioning fat deposits to create a smooth, youthful contour and more defined jawline.

Concerns That Neck Lifts Address

1

Neck Bands and Muscle Separation: Prominent vertical bands develop when the platysma muscle separates over time, creating visible ridges that make the neck appear older and become more pronounced during facial expressions.

2

Excess Skin and Sagging: The delicate neck skin loses elasticity with age, creating loose, hanging skin and horizontal folds commonly called “turkey neck.”

3

Double Chin and Submental Fat: Fat deposits under the chin create a double chin appearance despite weight loss efforts. This stubborn fat is often genetic and unresponsive to diet and exercise.

4

Loss of Jawline Definition: As the neck ages, the clear definition between the jaw and neck becomes blurred, creating a less youthful profile and making the face appear heavier.

5

Skin Texture and Quality Issues: Beyond structural concerns, neck skin may develop rough patches, discoloration and fine lines that improve by removing damaged skin during surgery.

Meet Dr. Richard A. Korentager, Renowned Surgeon

We are thrilled to have Dr. Richard A. Korentager, MD, FACS, leading our surgical services at AesthetiCare. With over 40 years of exceptional experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Korentager brings unparalleled expertise to neck lift procedures and comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon and Chair of the Department of Plastic, Burn and Wound Surgery at the University of Kansas, Dr. Korentager represents the highest standard of surgical excellence. His extensive training, including specialized fellowships in breast reconstruction and micronerve surgery, has equipped him with the precision and artistry necessary for achieving natural-looking, transformative results.

What distinguishes Dr. Korentager is his commitment to understanding each patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. He approaches every neck lift with both technical expertise and artistic vision, ensuring that results look natural and harmonious with your overall facial structure. His decades of experience have taught him that successful neck rejuvenation requires technical skill and an understanding of how the neck relates to the entire face and profile.

The Neck Lift Journey

Consultation and Planning

Your journey begins with an in-depth consultation, during which Dr. Korentager evaluates your neck anatomy, skin quality and overall facial structure. You’ll discuss your specific concerns and aesthetic goals, allowing him to develop a customized treatment plan. He’ll examine your neck muscles, skin elasticity and fat distribution while explaining the surgical techniques available and which approach will best achieve your desired results.

Procedure Day

You’ll arrive at our outpatient surgical facility, where our team prepares you for the procedure. Neck lifts are typically performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The surgical approach depends on your concerns – incisions may be made under the chin for muscle tightening or behind the ears for skin removal, ensuring scars are well hidden.

During the procedure, Dr. Korentager tightens the platysma muscle, removes excess skin and addresses fat deposits as needed. The entire procedure usually takes two to four hours, depending on complexity. Most patients go home the same day, though they’ll need someone to drive them and stay with them for the first 24 hours.

Recovery and Healing

Recovery from a neck lift requires patience and adherence to post-operative instructions. You’ll experience swelling and bruising and your neck may feel tight and uncomfortable. You’ll wear a compression garment to support healing and minimize swelling.

During the first week, keep your head elevated while sleeping and avoid activities that strain the neck or increase blood pressure, including heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. Sutures are typically removed within one to two weeks. Most patients return to work and light activities within seven to fourteen days.

Complete healing and final results take several months to become apparent. While significant improvements are visible within the first few weeks, subtle changes continue as tissues settle and swelling subsides. Incision lines will fade over time, becoming barely visible thin lines easily concealed by natural contours.

Long-Term Results and Maintenance

Neck lift surgery provides dramatic, long-lasting results by addressing the underlying structural causes of neck aging. Results typically last ten to twenty years or longer, as the muscle tightening and fat removal are permanent. While your skin ages naturally, you’ll always look better than you would have without the procedure.

To maximize longevity, maintain a consistent skincare routine with sun protection and moisturizing, keep a stable weight, avoid smoking and practice good posture. These habits help preserve your surgical results and overall neck skin quality over time.

Combining Neck Lifts with Other Procedures

Many patients choose to combine their neck lift with other facial rejuvenation procedures for more comprehensive results. At AesthetiCare, we offer a full range of surgical and nonsurgical options that can be tailored to address all of your aesthetic concerns.

The most common combination is a neck lift with a facelift, as these procedures complement each other beautifully to provide complete lower facial rejuvenation. While a neck lift addresses the neck and jawline, a facelift can improve the cheeks, jowls and mid-face area, creating harmonious results that look natural and balanced.

Other surgical procedures that work well with neck lifts include brow and eyelid surgery. These combinations allow for complete facial rejuvenation in a single surgical session, often with overlapping recovery periods that make the overall process more efficient.

Nonsurgical treatments can also enhance and maintain the results of your neck lift. Botox injections can help prevent the reformation of muscle bands, while dermal fillers can address volume loss in the face that might affect the overall harmony of your results. Laser treatments and chemical peels can improve skin texture and quality, enhancing the overall rejuvenation achieved through surgery.

During your consultation, Dr. Korentager will help you determine whether a combination approach would be beneficial for achieving your aesthetic goals.

Facelifts

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lifts)

Ideal Candidates for Neck Lifts

The ideal candidate for a neck lift is someone who is bothered by the appearance of their neck and has realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. While a neck lift can provide dramatic improvements, it cannot stop the aging process or change your fundamental bone structure.

Strong candidates for neck lift surgery typically have noticeable neck bands or muscle separation that creates an aged appearance, excess skin in the neck area that creates sagging or folds, a double chin or submental fat that doesn’t respond to nonsurgical treatments, loss of jawline definition and good overall health with no serious medical conditions that would impair healing.

Most patients considering neck lifts are between the ages of 40 and 70, though some younger individuals with genetic predispositions to neck aging may benefit from earlier intervention. It’s also important that candidates have realistic expectations and understand both the benefits and limitations of the procedure.

Individuals who may not be ideal candidates include those with certain medical conditions that impair healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disorders. People who smoke or are unwilling to quit smoking for the required period before and after surgery may also face increased risks and compromised results.

Reclaim Your Youthful Silhouette

Deciding to undergo a neck lift is a personal decision that can transform your appearance and confidence. The procedure offers a proven way to address the structural causes of neck aging and achieve a more youthful, defined profile that can last for many years.

The neck plays a crucial role in our overall appearance and profile, and when it’s restored to a more youthful state, it can dramatically enhance our appearance. A well-executed neck lift doesn’t just improve the neck itself—it can make our entire faces appear more youthful and refreshed.

Ready to Transform Your Profile with a Neck Lift?

If you’re tired of avoiding certain angles in photos, if neck bands are making you feel self-conscious, or if sagging neck skin is affecting your confidence, a neck lift may be the solution you’ve been seeking.

Don’t let an aging neck keep you from looking and feeling your best. With Dr. Korentager’s expertise and our comprehensive approach to patient care, you can achieve the youthful, defined neck and jawline you’ve always wanted.

Call us at (816) 326-7207 or click below to schedule your neck lift consultation today.

Discover how neck lift surgery can restore your youthful profile and give you the confidence that comes with looking as vibrant as you feel!

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What our clients are saying

Krissy is thorough and easy to talk to. She is confident in her skills and put me at ease.

Jessica is always keeping me up to date on new and exciting treatments. Although I have done multiple Intracel treatments in the past, this time she encouraged me to add on PRP. I highly recommend. Healing time was so fast!

Jessica did a great job always checking with me on how I was feeling. She was always concerned about how I was doing and doing the best job she could!

Jennifer explained everything in details and was very diligent in making sure that the procedure and follow up went well

I was given the proper guidance and steps to take to make my skin better. I truly love the honesty, care, and time taken to help find solutions to make my skin better. The before and after pictures truly show a difference on how well the procedure works. And I’m still noticing differences as my skin continues to heal.

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