Neck Lift Surgery

Neck lift surgery (cervicoplasty) is a comprehensive surgical procedure that gives the area an aesthetic appearance by eliminating signs of aging, sagging, and loss of form in the submental and neck region. This operation is not merely the removal of excess skin; it also includes the removal of fat accumulations known as a “double chin” and the tightening of the platysma muscle that supports the neck structure. This intervention, which helps define the jaw contour and sharpen the neck angle, is the most critical complement to facial rejuvenation processes. By repairing in the deep plane the anatomical structure that has been disrupted by gravity and genetic factors, a neck lift offers the individual a fresher, more dynamic, and years-defying profile.

Why Does the Neck Area Age Faster and Differently Than Our Face?

When you look in the mirror, even if you are satisfied with the overall contours of your face, you may notice that your neck area makes you look more tired or older than you are. There are very basic anatomical reasons for this. The skin of the neck is much thinner than facial skin, contains fewer sebaceous glands, and is unfortunately more vulnerable to external factors. However, the main issue is not only what happens on the surface of the skin. Just beneath the skin, there is a very thin layer of muscle called the “Platysma” that wraps around the neck almost like a curtain:

As the years pass, gravity, our genetic inheritance, frequent weight gain and loss, and today’s modern ailment known as “tech neck,” meaning the constant motion of looking down at a phone, cause this muscle to loosen. As a result of this loosening, the edges of the muscle separate from each other and vertical bands form right in the middle of the neck. At the same time, the angle under the chin disappears and the well-known “double chin” appearance emerges. Since the problem lies in the deeper tissues, that is, in the foundation of the building, it is not really possible to correct this situation permanently with only creams or superficial device-based procedures. Surgical intervention is the most effective way to repair this anatomical deterioration.

Who Are Suitable Candidates for Neck Lift Surgery?

As with any aesthetic operation, correct patient selection is the key to success in a neck lift procedure. Not everyone may be suitable for this surgery or may require different techniques. Generally, patients in the middle and older age groups apply with these complaints, but younger patients with genetically problematic neck structure may also be candidates. There are some basic characteristics we look for in ideal candidates:

These characteristics are as follows:

• Sagging neck skin
• Fat accumulation in the double chin area
• Undefined jawline
• Vertical muscle bands
• “Turkey neck” appearance
• Lost neck angle
• Skin that has lost elasticity
• Good overall health condition
• Realistic expectations
• Non-smoking

Does Having Only Liposuction Solve the Double Chin Problem?

This is one of the topics my patients ask most frequently during outpatient consultations and where there is the most confusion. The answer depends entirely on your skin quality and your age. If you are young, your skin elasticity is good, and your problem is only a localized excess of fat accumulated under the skin, then yes, liposuction (fat removal) alone can yield excellent results. Because when the fat inside is removed, elastic skin can tighten itself and adapt to the new shape.

However, in the vast majority of patients who apply for neck aesthetics, the picture is not that simple. Generally, excess skin and muscle laxity accompany fat accumulation. In such a case, removing only the fat causes the skin to wrinkle and sag even more, like an empty pillowcase. In fact, in some cases, the cause of fullness in the neck may not be fat but sagging salivary glands or muscle enlargement. Therefore, liposuction alone is not a miracle; in advanced cases, it must definitely be combined with muscle repair and skin tightening in order to achieve a smooth and taut line.

What Should Be Done During the Preoperative Preparation Process?

A successful surgical process begins long before entering the operating room. Preparing your body for this change both increases your recovery speed and minimizes possible risks. In particular, eliminating factors that affect blood circulation is of vital importance. In this process, there are certain rules we absolutely ask our patients to follow:

The points to pay attention to are as follows:

• Stopping smoking
• Blood-thinning medications
• Vitamin E supplements
• Herbal teas
• Alcohol consumption
• Multivitamin pills
• Ginseng and ginkgo biloba
• Cherry stem tea
• Green tea
• Painkillers

What Are the Neck Lift Surgery Techniques and Where Are the Scars Hidden?

In modern plastic surgery, our goal is not an “operated” or “pulled” look, but to provide natural rejuvenation in harmony with the person’s own anatomy. For this reason, a single technique is not applied to everyone. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. The basic principle is to tighten the loosened Platysma muscle from the midline toward behind the ear and suture and reinforce it like an “internal corset.”

Our patients’ greatest concern is naturally scars. In aesthetic surgery, there is no scarless operation, but there is an operation whose scar is well hidden. We pass the incisions through the natural folds in front of the ear, extend them behind the earlobe, and then into the hair-bearing scalp. In this way, the scars remain hidden in points that cannot be easily noticed in daily life, even when your hair is tied up. If only the double chin area is to be treated, an additional very small incision that is almost not visible from the outside can be added under the chin. Over time, these scars blend into the skin tone and become very faint.

Why Is the “Deep Neck Aesthetics” (Deep Neck) Approach Important?

In classical neck lift surgeries, the fats just under the skin would typically be removed and the superficial muscles would be tightened. However, in some patients, this is not sufficient. Because the structures that make the neck look thick and short and prevent that desired sharp angle may be hidden deeper. This is where “Deep Neck Aesthetics” comes into play.

In this approach, the surgeon goes beneath the Platysma muscle and shapes the deep fat pads there, enlarged salivary glands, or muscle masses. Especially in patients with a retruded chin or those whose neck structure is genetically “undefined,” this technique allows us to reduce neck volume from the inside. In this way, we not only tighten the skin but also make the skeletal structure of the neck more visible and elegant. This makes the result much more permanent and impressive.

What Should Be Considered During the Recovery Period?

The success of the surgery is not only in the surgeon’s hands; postoperative care also directly affects the quality of the result. Contrary to popular belief, neck lift surgery is not a very painful process. Our patients usually talk about a feeling of tightness rather than pain. However, certain rules must be followed for the tissues to adhere to their new place and for edema to be controlled.

These rules are as follows:

• Use of compression garments
• Sleeping with a high pillow
• Sleeping on the back
• Ice application
• Not lifting heavy objects
• Sudden neck movements
• Restricting salt intake
• Use of prescribed medications
• Protection from the sun
• Drinking plenty of water