A neck lift is a surgical procedure that smooths and tightens the neck’s skin, which can sag from aging or weight loss. There are usually two components to a neck lift: cervicoplasty, which removes excess skin, and platysmaplasty, which removes or tightens muscles in the neck. A neck lift can be performed alone or as part of a facelift. A neck lift candidate is in good physical and emotional health, and has realistic expectations about the outcome of surgery. The results of a neck lift can last up to 10 years.

Benefits of Neck Lift

A graceful, well-defined neck profile is often the single most powerful sign of youth. The shift from a slack, aged neck to a sleek, refined contour can be instantly life-changing, boosting your confidence in every photograph and conversation. Our goal is to achieve dramatic improvement that looks completely natural—as if you simply reversed the clock on gravity and time.

A Neck Lift treatment at The Aesthetic Center delivers a profile that is:

Sleek and Defined: Achieving a razor-sharp angle between the jawline and the neck.
Smooth and Tight: Eliminating the loose, crepey skin texture.
Band-Free: Correcting the prominent vertical muscle cords (platysmal bands).
Balanced: Restoring the harmonious connection between your face and body.

What Aesthetic Issues Does a Neck Lift Address?

The neck ages quickly, often revealing years before the face does. This procedure is a specific, comprehensive solution for the persistent issues that diet and topical products simply cannot fix. We address both the skin and the underlying muscle structure for a thorough result.

Loose, Sagging Skin (Cervical Skin Laxity)

When the skin loses its firm elasticity, it tends to gather and hang. This common condition, known as skin laxity, is precisely what a neck lift corrects. We surgically remove the redundant skin and tighten the tissue beneath, eliminating that heavy, aged look and creating a crisp, smooth drape.

A "Double Chin" or Submental Fullness

Stubborn fat deposits under the chin are resistant to even the most rigorous diet and exercise plans. Whether we use careful liposuction or direct excision, we permanently remove this excess fullness, sculpting the area to reveal the natural, graceful line of your jaw and throat.

Prominent Vertical Neck Bands (Platysmal Bands)

Those distinct vertical cords that appear when you talk or tense your neck are caused by the separation of the platysma muscle. The neck lift procedure includes tightening and reconnecting these muscle edges. This deep structural correction is essential for achieving a long-lasting, smooth, and natural-looking rejuvenation.

Fairfield County Neck Lift model smiling

Am I a Candidate For a Neck Lift?

The decision to have a neck lift begins with an honest assessment of what you see in the mirror. If you find yourself consistently frustrated by a slack jawline, neck fullness, or the pronounced cords of your platysma muscle, you are likely a great Neck Lift candidate. We look for patients who are generally healthy, clear on their goals, and ready to partner with us on the process.

The most critical preparation step for any surgery is health stabilization. If you use tobacco products, you must stop completely weeks before and after the surgery. Nicotine sabotages your body’s ability to heal, and we will not proceed until this requirement is met.

Beyond smoking cessation, we require that any chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, are properly controlled. You will also need to adjust any supplements or medications that can promote bleeding, like certain anti-inflammatories or blood thinners. We prioritize exceptional results, and those begin with patient health and safety.

Consultation and Preparation

Your Neck Lift consultation is the foundation of your aesthetic plan. This meeting with one of our highly-trained surgeons in Fairfield County is not rushed; it is a serious, focused conversation where we listen to your primary concerns and then develop an individualized plan. We perform a thorough examination of your unique anatomy—skin quality, muscle structure, and fat placement—to ensure the procedure is tailored exactly to your needs.

You will leave the consultation with a clear understanding of the surgical process, the expected recovery, and the logistics of having your procedure performed safely in our state-of-the-art private surgical suite. We champion privacy and safety, offering one-on-one nursing care that is simply unavailable in a crowded hospital setting.

Preparing for Neck Lift surgery involves concrete steps designed to ensure a smooth recovery. You must halt certain medications and supplements that increase bleeding risk two weeks prior. Most importantly, you must arrange for reliable transportation home and dedicated care for the first two days after your procedure. This planning allows you to focus solely on resting and healing.

Neck Lift Procedure

At the Aesthetic Center in Fairfield County neck lift begins with a small, inconspicuous incision directly below the chin (platysmaplasty) and/or in front of the ear lobes, looping behind the ears and ending in the scalp near the back of the neck (cervicoplasty). Sagging skin is trimmed away and lifted during cervicoplasty; loose muscles that cause the “bands” around the neck to be prominent are tightened during platysmaplasty. In some cases, it is necessary to perform only one of the two procedures.

Liposuction is sometimes used to remove excess fat; if so, it is performed before the neck lift. Incisions are glued and/or sutured closed. A neck lift usually takes 2 to 4 hours to perform, and the patient is given either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Most neck lifts are performed on an outpatient basis. Bandages covering incisions are removed after a few days; sutures are typically removed after 7 to 10 days.

Recovery From A Neck Lift

Swelling and bruising from a neck lift can last up to 10 days. Applying cold compresses and keeping the head elevated for the first 48 hours following surgery minimizes swelling. Keeping the head still, and avoiding turning or twisting it for the first few days post-surgery, is recommended.

Medication is prescribed to help alleviate discomfort. After a necklift Fairfield County patients often return to work and other normal daily activities within 2 weeks, after which bruising and swelling have subsided. More strenuous activities should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks.

Neck Lift Results

Fairfield County Neck Lift patients will notice an immediate improvement in your profile once the procedure is complete. While this initial view will be softened by some bruising and swelling—a necessary part of the healing process—the underlying structure will be tighter and more defined.

The visible improvement accelerates quickly. Most noticeable swelling resolves within the first two weeks, revealing a much clearer neck contour. However, the final, completely settled Neck Lift result typically takes between 3 to 6 months to fully emerge, once all residual swelling is gone. The neck lift provides profound longevity. While you continue to age, the procedure itself can effectively set your profile back a decade or more, with results often lasting 10 to 15 years.

Fairfield County Neck Lift with brown hair

Risks And Complications Of A Neck Lift

Although rare, possible risks and complications of a neck lift include the following:

Scarring
Excessive bleeding
Hematoma
Tissue death
Blood clots
Numbness
Intense itching
Skin discoloration
Persistent swelling
Muscle paralysis

Our Fairfield County Neck Lift surgeons are at the top of their field, and our private Connecticut plastic surgery center has an immaculate safety record. Such complications are rare, particularly when your surgery is performed by our team of experts. We take all possible precautions to ensure your safety and neck lift results are flawless.

How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?

Because we customize every procedure, the neck lift cost varies significantly by patient. We do not use a fixed-price menu. The final fee reflects the complexity of the technique—whether it involves extensive fat removal, deep muscle tightening (platysmaplasty), or the integration of a lower facelift to achieve a seamless overall rejuvenation.

We provide a comprehensive, transparent cost during your neck lift consultation. This fee covers every critical component necessary for a safe and superior outcome at our private, accredited facility. It includes the specialized Surgeon's Fee, the cost for the board-certified Anesthesia team, and the use of our state-licensed Private Facility. Post-operative care, including all follow-up visits and specialized garments, is also covered, ensuring you have clear expectations from start to finish.

Neck Lift FAQ

Is a neck lift only for older patients?

Absolutely not. While common among patients 40 and up, genetics can cause significant skin laxity or submental fat at any age. The right time for a neck lift is whenever the signs of aging in your neck become a persistent, unavoidable frustration.

What is the difference between a neck lift and a lower facelift?

A neck lift focuses specifically on the neck and the angle beneath the chin. A lower facelift is more extensive, addressing the sagging jowls and lower cheeks in addition to the neck. Your surgeon helps you determine the necessary scope for a harmonious result.

Will a neck lift get rid of deep neck wrinkles?

A neck lift tightens the foundational structure and skin, dramatically improving the contour. For remaining deep textural wrinkles, we often recommend combining the surgery with Med Spa treatments like skin resurfacing or injectables for a flawless finish.

How is a neck lift incision hidden?

Our elite surgeons strategically place incisions behind the ears and into the posterior hairline, with a very small, carefully concealed incision under the chin. These placements ensure that scarring is nearly undetectable once fully healed.

Is the recovery for a neck lift painful?

Most Darien Neck Lift patients describe the post-operative experience as mild to moderate discomfort, not severe pain. We ensure a personalized pain management plan, and discomfort is typically controlled effectively with prescribed medication for the first few days, followed by over-the-counter options.

Can a neck lift be combined with BOTOX® or Dysport®?

Yes. The surgery provides the dramatic, long-lasting structural correction. Afterward, Med Spa treatments like BOTOX® or Dysport® can be used to relax hyperactive muscles that cause fine lines or wrinkles, helping you maintain a perpetually fresh appearance.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are considering plastic surgery in Fairfield County or anywhere in Connecticut, contact us to schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of our expert plastic surgeons.

722 Post Road, Suite 202, Darien, CT 06820

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Neck Lift in Darien