Neck Lift

Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Encino, Glendale and Bakersfield

A neck lift can have a profound effect on one’s appearance, making them look younger, slimmer, and more attractive. Dr. Sean Younai is one of the leading neck lift surgeons in the southern California area.

In order to best serve his patients, Dr. Younai has four convenient locations: Beverly Hills, Encino, Glendale, and Bakersfield. Please feel free to contact us and request a consultation at any of these four locations.

What is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that aims to reverse many of the signs of aging on the neck. The procedure can remove excess skin, soften band lines, and get rid of fat deposits. It can also reduce the appearance of a double chin.

The procedure uses discreet incisions along the hairline and in the natural shadows of the ears and neck. Through these incisions, Dr. Younai will remove fat deposits, and smooth and excise skin. The results are both natural-looking and long-lasting. Dr. Younai’s neck lift patients look thinner and younger, which, in turn, can greatly boost their confidence.

Learn more about the procedure below and then contact Dr. Younai in Beverly Hills, Encino, Glendale, or Bakersfield in order to request a consultation.

Good Candidates

In order to be considered a good candidate for a neck lift, the patient must be in good mental and physical health. This means that they should:

  • Be nonsmokers
  • Be at a healthy and stable weight
  • Be in close range of their weight loss goal
  • Have realistic expectations for the outcome of the surgery

Patients who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their neck due to excess skin or fat deposits, a double chin, or neck banding, may be good candidates for a neck lift. The majority of our neck lift patients are between the ages of 40 and 65, but older and younger candidates will still be considered. In order to find out whether or not you would benefit from a neck lift, contact Dr. Younai at one of his four southern California locations in order to request a consultation.

Neck Rejuvenation Techniques

A neck lift procedure may utilize anywhere from one to three of the following techniques in order to attain the desired results.

Platysmaplasty

The platysma refers to the two thin muscle layers on each side of the neck. With age, these muscle can begin to lose strength, worsening issues like vertical neck banding and the appearance of a double chin. During platysmaplasty, Dr. Younai will actually tighten and reposition the platysma muscle, bringing the two sides of the muscle back together. In some cases, the muscles may be tightened with internal sutures.

Skin Excision

Dr. Younai will remove drooping excess skin from the patient’s neck. Using discreet incisions, he will tighten the skin and then excise the balance. This will create the appearance of a smoother and younger-looking neck.

Liposuction

For patients who have stubborn excess fat on their neck that gives them the appearance of a double chin, liposuction may be required to remove this fat. Dr. Younai will make small incisions around the fat areas and introduce tumescent solution. The tumescent solution not only makes the fat easier to remove from the neck, but it will also offer long-lasting pain relief. Next, Dr. Younai will suction the fat out of the neck using a cannula and negative pressure.

Preparing for a Neck Lift

Dr. Younai will ask the patient to prepare for their neck lift procedure in advance in order to ensure that the procedure goes as smoothly as possible. Some of the thing that may be required of the patient include:

  • Quit smoking
  • Stop taking anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) and other supplements (fish oil pills) at least two weeks prior to surgery, as they can increase bleeding
  • Alter medication intake
  • Pick up post-operative medications prior to surgery
  • Make arrangements for another adult to pick the patient up following surgery and spend the first 24 hours after surgery with them
  • Wear a loose fitting, button up shirt on the day of the procedure

Neck Lift Procedure

In some cases, Dr. Younai may be able to perform a minimally invasive neck lift if the patient only requires a small touch-up. If this is the case, then the patient will have the option to receive local anesthesia on the day of surgery. In general, a neck lift is performed under general anesthesia and/or IV sedation on an outpatient basis. It usually takes between two and three hours to complete.

After an anesthesiologist has administered the anesthesia, Dr. Younai will begin the procedure. If the patient requires liposuction, it will be performed prior to making any incisions. Next, the doctor will make the appropriate incisions along the hairline, around the ears, or underneath the chin, where scarring will be least visible. Through these incisions, he will adjust and tighten the platysma muscle as needed. Finally, he will tighten the skin to create a contoured, attractive appearance and remove excess skin. The incisions will be closed with sutures.

Following the procedure, the patient will be taken to a recovery room where they will be observed by our knowledgeable and attentive staff. Once the patient is cleared to be released, we ask that another adult drive them home.

Recovery

Immediately after the procedure, the neck and lower face will be bandaged to help reduce bruising and swelling. Following more extensive neck lift procedures, a thin tube may be placed in the neck in order to help drain excess liquids.

When the patient arrives home from the surgery, they should continue to rest and recuperate. However, they should be sure to keep their head elevated above their heart and to not excessively twist or bend the neck. They may experience some discomfort, which can be alleviated by taking the medication prescribed by Dr. Younai.

Depending on the extent of their procedure, patients should take one to two weeks off from work to give themselves enough time to properly heal. Once the patient has returned to work, they should still be careful about overly exerting themselves. They should take at least three weeks off from lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous exercise. If the patient has a very physically demanding job, they may need more than two weeks before they can return.

Patients will be asked to come back in for follow-up appointments periodically throughout their recovery, so that Dr. Younai can make sure that the patient is healing properly and attaining their desired results.

Additional Procedures

Neck lifts can provide wonderfully contoured results as a procedure on its own, but it’s often combined with other facial procedures for comprehensive results.

Facelift

Since the face and neck frequently age at the same rate, Dr. Younai may advise that the patient undergo both a neck lift and a facelift at the same time. Getting one procedure without the other may appear dissonant.

Similar to a neck lift, a facelift uses imperceptible incisions around the hairline and ears in order to access the superficial musculo aponeurotic system, also known as the SMAS layer. This layer includes deep tissue and suspensory ligaments. By lifting, tightening, and repositioning these ligaments, Dr. Younai can achieve incredibly natural-looking results that are also long lasting.

Facial Implants

After a neck lift, the neck will appear both thinner and younger. After regaining this youthful contour, patients may discover that other parts of their face lack contour, definition, or volume. Facial implants can be inserted into the cheeks and chin in order to add shape and proportion to the patient’s features. Patients interested in more short term results may also want to consider dermal fillers.

Botox

If the patient suffers from neck banding, but does not have excess fat or skin that they need to remove, then they may be a good candidate for Botox.

Botox works by temporarily relaxing muscle contractions that form lines, creases, and wrinkles. Neck bands are created by the repeated contractions of the platysma. By injecting Botox into the platysma layer, the muscles relax and the neck bands will become less apparent or disappear completely.

Although temporary, Botox injections require no downtime. So, they’re good for patients who can’t afford to take time recovering from a more invasive procedure. Patients may also want to consider getting Botox injections in order to minimize the appearance of forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet.

Consultation

The consultation is a critical part of the neck lift procedure. Prior to scheduling any surgery, Dr. Younai likes to meet with candidates personally in a one-on-one consultation. It is during this time that Dr. Younai will talk to the patient about their cosmetic concerns, why they are interested in a neck lift, and what they hope to achieve from the procedure. If the patient wishes, they may bring in a photo of themselves when they were younger to show Dr. Younai their aesthetic goals.

Dr. Younai will perform a detailed examination to help determine whether or not the patient would be a good candidate for a facelift or if they would better benefit from another procedure, such as Botox. If the patient is a good candidate for the procedure, then he will create a detailed procedural plan, including further pre-operative and post-operative instructions, as well as cost.

The cost of a neck lift will vary depending on factors such as the techniques utilized, anesthesia, and additional procedures. Dr. Younai will be able to provide the patient with a cost estimate at the end of the consultation. In order to find out how you may benefit from a neck lift procedure, please contact Dr. Sean Younai at one of his four southern California locations today and request a consultation.