Dr. Christine Bokman

Facial Surgery

Neck Lift

A neck lift restores the jawline and the neck, treating jowls, banding, and fullness beneath the chin. It is usually planned together with the lower face, but sometimes can be done as a standalone procedure.

Procedure at a Glance

Anaesthetic
Local with sedation, or general
Duration
Procedure length varies by plan
Setting
Accredited surgical facility
Social downtime
About 10 to 14 days
Back to work
Around 2 weeks for desk work
Full recovery
Swelling settles over 2 to 3 months
Final results
Around 3 to 6 months
Longevity
Long-lasting; varies by patient

Her approach

With age the jawline blurs, the skin below it loosens, and the platysma separates into the vertical bands that show through the neck. Dr. Bokman is trained specifically in deep plane neck lifts and addresses all aspects of neck aging. Typically liposuction is performed to debulk fat and contour the jaw, the platysma muscle is tightened internally, and if indicated, the submandibular glands are reduced to yield a snatched jawline and beautifully contoured cervicomental angle.

What a neck lift addresses

A neck lift answers three linked problems. The first is jowling, where tissue slides down past the line of the jaw. The second is banding, where the paired platysma muscles separate and tent the skin of the neck. The third is fullness beneath the chin, where fat or loosened tissue blunts the cervicomental angle. To correct them, the platysma is tightened and repositioned, excess fat is removed where it is present, and the skin is redraped over the restored frame. The incisions sit around the ear, and beneath the chin where that area needs access, and they heal out of sight.

Planned with the lower face

The jawline is the border between face and neck, and the tissue on either side ages together. Treating the neck without the face, or the other way round, tends to leave a visible step at the jawline. For that reason Dr. Bokman typically plans the deep plane facelift and the neck as a single operation, so the line from cheek to jaw to neck stays continuous. In some instances, a deep plane neck lift can be performed in isolation, and this decision is made on a case by case basis.

Recovery

Recovery follows much the same course as a facelift. Most patients are socially presentable in about 10 to 14 days, the deeper swelling settles over one to two months, and the final result is in three to four months.

Frequently asked questions

What does a neck lift address?
It treats the platysmal bands and sagging in the neck as well as the fullness beneath the chin. Some patients, typically younger ones, just have fullness of the neck due to anatomy, and that can also be corrected during a deep plane neck lift.
Is a neck lift the same as a facelift?
Related, though not the same. A facelift improves aging of the midface, the lower face, and the jawline, while a neck lift addresses neck sagging and fullness. Therefore, in most cases, the two surgeries are performed at the same time to address the aging lower face as a whole.
Can a neck lift and facelift be done together?
Yes, and in most cases they should be. The face and the neck age as a single structure, and treating one without the other tends to make the areas not treated more noticeable. Dr. Bokman plans the deep plane facelift and the neck as one, but exceptions are made based on a patient's goals.
What is recovery like?
Recovery after a neck lift is usually the same as after a facelift. Most patients are presentable in about 10 to 14 days, the deeper swelling settles during the first one to two months, and the final result is in two to three months.
How long do the results last?
With Dr. Bokman's technique, the results are long-lasting, especially compared to traditional face lifting techniques. Most patients enjoy decades of feeling like their neck is tight and lifted.

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