Planning for neck lift

Identifying key areas

Identifying the specific aspects of the appearance which could be changed through neck contouring, liposuction, fat transfer and other procedures can help facilitate the conversation between patient and surgeon in order to achieve a more accurate design and outcome for neck lift surgery.

Not all patients approach neck lift surgery with the same ideals or the same desires and it is key to the success of surgery that a clear concept of the problem is presented in order to explore possible solutions. Because it is difficult to visualise the end result, 3-D imaging and computer simulation are able to provide the patient and surgeon with a tool to establish more accurate points of change that assemble into a treatment plan.

Often younger patients and more commonly men feel that their jawline is indistinct, despite being of a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, and remaining physically active, and they choose neck lift surgery in the hope of creating a defined jawline.

Skin laxity is another common issue leading people to undergo neck lift surgery, particularly where age and sun exposure have resulted in excess skin that sags, is wrinkled, or detracts from the appearance of the face.

Volume only

An anterior neck lift for volume reduction is often the preferred option for patients with reasonably good skin elasticity, but limited definition because of a combination of fatty tissue excess, possible slight under development of the jawline and chin, and sometimes added volume excess of the lower part of the submandibular glands.

Fatty tissue reduction both above and below the platysma muscles, submandibular gland reduction and tightening of the platysma muscles in the neck can help reduce volume, and highlight the contour of the jaw and chin. This type of volume-only reduction is suitable for a wide range of people where the skin remains reasonably elastic and may be assisted by enhancement of the chin prominence using an implant.

Limited interventions

A direct anterior neck lift can also help achieve such a look but in this case the excess skin is removed to smooth out the neck line, leaving a central scar on the neck. Such a procedure is mainly carried out for older patients where skin elasticity has reduced over time, or sometimes in patients that are at high risk from an anaesthetic, because it can be carried out also under local anaesthesia.

An i-guide procedure is an attractive option for patients looking to improve the appearance of the neck without formal surgery. This method uses permanent sutures to help support the skin in the neck and limit sagging and wrinkling of the area to regain a more youthful look. Although the technique has some limitations compared to surgery, it can be attractive some patients and represents an alternative neck contouring option.

Chin deficiency

Achieving a clearly defined jawline need not always be about volume reduction, skin tightening, or fat transfer.

Those patients feeling that their jawbone and/or chin is underdeveloped may opt instead for a chin implant enhance definition, with a variety of techniques available to sculpt the jawline, including jaw implants.

Genioplasty is an alternative for chin contouring, and may be preferable to implants in special cases.