Choosing the Right Neck Lift Procedure
The most appropriate neck lift procedure is determined by the degree of skin laxity and your unique aesthetic goals. During your consultation, Dr. Foulad will carefully examine your neck anatomy and discuss your concerns to identify the most effective surgical approach for achieving a smooth, defined neck and a youthful jawline. Based on your individual needs, Dr. Foulad typically recommends one of the following types of neck lift procedures:
MIDS Neck Lift™ (Minimal Incision Deep Sculpting)
The MIDS Neck Lift™ is a specialized technique developed by Dr. Foulad to reduce fullness under the chin and sculpt a sharp, youthful jawline using minimal, well-hidden incisions. This advanced procedure targets and tightens the deeper neck structures—such as deep fat and the platysma muscle—without removing any skin. It is an ideal option for younger patients with good skin elasticity who want significant neck contouring with well concealed incisions.
Full Neck Lift
A full neck lift is recommended for patients with moderate neck skin laxity. This technique includes incisions that extend to the hairline behind the ears, allowing for the removal of excess skin. Dr. Foulad’s approach incorporates the same deep sculpting principles as the MIDS Neck Lift—reshaping deeper tissues and performing a platysmaplasty—to achieve optimal contouring with natural-looking and long-lasting results.
Lower Facelift with Neck Lift
For older individuals with more significant sagging of the face and neck, combining a lower facelift with a neck lift is recommended. The lower facelift enables greater skin removal from the neck by using a more vertical vector, while also lifting the jowls.
How is Neck Lift Surgery Performed
Depending on the complexity of the procedure and patient preference, Dr. Foulad typically performs neck lift surgery under twilight sedation in an operating room or under local anesthesia in-office. Incisions are strategically placed under the chin and/or behind the ears. For patients with excess fat above the platysma muscle, Dr. Foulad may use micro-liposuction or direct excision to reduce the fat and sculpt the neck. In cases requiring deeper neck contouring, the deeper layers of the neck are accessed and sculpted. This allows for precise reduction of deep fat, digastric muscles, and submandibular glands when necessary. A platysmaplasty—tightening of the platysma muscle—is often performed to lift the neck and further improve the contour of the neck and jawline.
How to Prepare for a Neck Lift Surgery
In preparation for undergoing neck lift surgery, we need to ensure that you are healthy and optimized for the procedure. Depending on your age, medical history, and complexity of your case, medical evaluation by your primary care provider may be required. Certain medications and supplements might have to be stopped a specific time period prior to the procedure to reduce various risks. It is important that you do not not smoke or use nicotine products 1-2 months prior to your procedure. You will be provided more comprehensive pre-operative instructions specific to your individual case.
What to Expect After a Neck Lift Surgery
Recovery from neck lift surgery is typically well-tolerated, with most patients experiencing only mild discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relief such as Tylenol is often sufficient, though stronger medication may be prescribed for temporary relief if needed. Significant pain beyond the first few days is uncommon. To minimize swelling, patients are often advised to sleep with their head and back elevated for at least the first week.
Immediately after the procedure, a thick cotton dressing is applied around the head and neck and is usually removed within 1 to 2 days. Following this, an elastic Velcro neck strap may be recommended to support healing and reduce swelling. The duration of use varies depending on the extent of surgery and individual healing. If surgical drains are placed, they are typically removed within 1 to 3 days. These drains help reduce bruising and expedite healing.
Swelling and bruising typically peak around day 3 and gradually subside afterward. Most patients feel confident being seen in a social setting within 1 to 2 weeks, however, full healing and final outcomes continue to improve over several months as residual micro-swelling resolves. To support optimal recovery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and exercise for 3 to 4 weeks following surgery.
For more detailed guidance, please review our general post-operative care instructions, which cover important recommendations for a smooth recovery.
Schedule Your Necklift Consultation
If you are ready to explore the possibilities of a neck lift, we invite you to schedule an appointment. Dr. Foulad is a double-board surgeon and is regarded as top provider of face and neck plastic surgery in Beverly Hills.
We are conveniently located to serve individuals in areas of Los Angeles County, including Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and the city of Los Angeles. However, we are available to help with coordinating your stay if you are an Out-of-Town Patient.
Contact our office on Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills today to schedule your neck lift consultation with Dr. Foulad.
NECK LIFT faq
Am I a better candidate for neck liposuction or neck lift?
Neck liposuction is a great option for individuals who desire to reduce the fat at their neck (e.g. under their chin). However, this procedure is recommended for individuals who are younger with elastic skin (or it can lead to saggy skin). In addition, neck liposuction is ideal in situations that the neck fullness is due to fat located above the platysma muscle.
If the fullness of the neck is due to fat, muscles, or glands under the platysma muscle, then a central neck lift may be recommended in order to be able to best contour those layers. In addition, a neck lift will enable tightening and contouring of the platysma muscle.
If there is skin laxity, then a neck lift involving incisions behind the ear would be recommended in order to reduce the excess skin.
Are the neck lift incisions visible?
The incision under the chin is typically made within a natural crease where the chin meets the neck. The location of this incision, combined with meticuluous suturing, typically makes it so that the incision is not noticeable.
If incisions are made behind the ear, they are hidden in the crease behnd the ear. If it is required to extend the incison to the scalp, the incision will be in a visible region, but often is hard to see because it is placed along or in the hairline as much as possible, tension is avoided at the incision (to reduce the risk of widened scars), and careful suturing is performed.
What is a good age to perform a neck lift?
The typical age of our patients undergoing neck lifting is 25 to 70 years old, however there is no standard age range. Candidates for the procedure are based on indications, which includes excess skin, laxity, fullness of the neck, and/or platysma banding. Dr. Foulad will perform a thorough evaluation to help you decide which surgery or alternative treatment would best meet your goals.
Who is a good candidate for a neck lift?
The typical age of candidates for undergoing neck surgery is 25 to 70 years old, however there is no standard age range. Candidates for the procedure are based on indications, which includes excess skin, laxity, fullness of the neck, and prominent platysma bands.
Dr. Foulad will perform a thorough evaluation to help you decide which surgery or alternative treatment would best meet your goals. Ideal patients are in good overall health and have skin that has retained some flexibility and elasticity. It is important that patients do not smoke or use nicotine products before and after the procedure.
