The ultimate guide to Neck Lift

Last fact-checked: 7 December 2020

A neck lift is a surgical procedure designed to contour the skin, creating a firmer and more defined appearance around the neck and chin area.

Also known as neck contouring, patients commonly seek this treatment to help remove neck wrinkles and banish sagging skin, which can take years off one's age. A skilled surgeon can also restore the overall balance of your facial features, creating a refined jawline to frame the face.

As our bodies age, we produce less collagen and hyaluronic acid, which causes the skin to lose its elasticity. Collagen is the main protein for building skin while hyaluronic acid hydrates us; once these become diminished, the underlying structure of the skin begins to collapse, and the lack of hydration dries out the skin, leading to sagging, wrinkles and lines.

Other factors may expedite the aging process, including smoking, sun damage and hereditary factors–some of which we can control and some we can’t.

Learn more about undertaking neck lift surgery abroad and take advantage of Medical Departures' Best Price Guarantee when booking.

What Can a Neck Lift Achieve?

A neck lift may be a viable option for you if you are self-conscious about deep lines causing bands around your neck, or loose and sagging skin around the throat area. It can also help to improve the lower face, including the loose skin and excess fat that cause jowls. Toward a fuller approach to your treatment, liposuction may also be used to get rid of the excess fat under the chin that creates a double chin.

A neck lift is often performed in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation techniques, including eyelid surgery or non-surgical treatments, where a full facelift is not required or desired.

What Is Involved in Terms of the Procedure?

In common with many cosmetic procedures nowadays, a neck lift is tailor-made to correct your specific condition.

If your skin elasticity is good (i.e. it ‘bounces back’ toward the muscle once any fat has been removed), and only fat needs to be removed (rather than both fat and excess skin), then liposuction alone may correct the problem. If this is the case, the area underneath the chin is usually targeted to achieve the best results.

Normally carried out as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or light intravenous sedation, the surgery involves a small incision under the chin into which a small tube is inserted to draw out the fat. There will be minimal scarring afterward that will fade with time.

If you have large amounts of loose skin and more extensive work is required, a full neck lift will often be the best option. For this procedure, incisions are made either under the chin or behind the ears; fat and excess skin are then removed before the remaining skin is repositioned and the wounds sutured.

Learn more about neck lift surgery and liposuction here. 

What Is the Recovery Time for a Neck Lift?

After surgery, you will be bandaged and there may be drains put in place to help take any fluid away from the wounds. You will probably experience swelling and bruising although these side-effects will ease gradually over the following week or so. Your neck may feel tight to a certain degree for several months, but again, this will eventually improve.

Many people are able to continue with most of their everyday activities after a few days and are usually out and about in public within one or two weeks. It may be helpful for the swelling if you sleep with your head higher than normal after surgery.

When getting surgery abroad, do plan any holiday activities before your procedure and take things generally easy before heading home. Consult with your surgeon as to when you are able to fly home, as this depends on a number of factors, such as flight duration and the complexity of your surgery. 

How Much Can I Save by Having a Neck Lift Abroad?

The ultimate cost depends on the type of neck lift you have, and your preferred country. As an example, a neck lift in the US costs upwards of $5,000. This is compared to just $2,000 in Mexico and around $2,300 in Thailand.

See some of the latest prices, as well as clinic photos, surgeon profiles and patient reviews in these popular destinations for neck lift surgery:

• Neck lift clinics in Mexico
• Neck lift clinics in Thailand

How Do I Get Started?

Take a look through our full list of verified clinics offering neck lift surgery to international patients. You can also use our convenient search function to find clinics in other top destinations like Bali, Malaysia, Turkey, South Korea or Colombia. 

Book your appointment through our site or get in touch with Medical Departures' Customer Care Team, who can provide you a personalized quote for your surgery abroad. Or if you prefer to book your appointment online, you can do so right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you.

Sources:

Neck Lift Contouring Guide. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Website accessed: 7 December 2020. https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/face/neck-contouring-guide/

What to Expect From a Neck Lift. WebMD. Website accessed: 7 December 2020. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-neck-lift#1

Orange, Karim. Anti-Aging Part One: The Importance of Collagen. Huff Post. 20 December 2017. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/anti-aging-part-1-the-importance-of-collagen_b_583cd543e4b04e28cf5b8ac3