Sometimes volume restoration, midfacial elevation or resurfacing help as well

Brent Moelleken, MD answers: Neck lift procedure options

I went to my plastic surgeon to see if there was something I could do about the wrinkles and loose skin on my neck, in the throat area. He suggested I have a facelift or I could just do the neck with the incision straight down the throat area. I looked at before and after pictures and didn't like the looks of the neck lift incision, so I opted for the facelift. It's been about a year now, and I don't think it's holding up like I envisioned. My questions is: is there another kind of neck lift available? I'm 59 years old and was 58 at time of surgery. It was my first facelift, although I've had upper eyelid surgery twice...once at 40 and then at 55.


Brent Moelleken, MD
12 months ago

It sounds as if you underwent a facelift. For whatever reason, you were unhappy with your results.

There are several possible explanations, many elucidated by my excellent colleagues below (expectations too high, sun damaged skin loses its elasticity, possible additional laxity). You should definitely mention to your doctor your dissatisfaction and see if there is any additional tightening that is reasonable to do without causing distortion to anatomic structures.

You might also want to consider if there are areas of hollowness such as around the mouth (nasolabial folds, marionette lines, lips, cheeks, cheekbones, undereye areas) that could benefit from augmentation with your own tissue, especially if you have had previous eyelid surgery. In our practice we use Livefill (autologous tissue; fascial fat grafts).

If tightening has been done on the side of the face but not in the center (midface), a cheeklift may be an option, especially if you had had previous lower eyelid surgery in the past.

It is also possible that the sun damaged areas could be resurfaced with a conservative CO2 laser resurfacing, both to reduce surface actinic changes from the sun, as well as to give additional tightening.

We have found that results with radiofrequency tightening devices (Refirme, Thermage) for this problem were temporary and disappointing. The internal laser offers nothing in my opinion to improve the results from most patients with your issue that should not have already have been done during your primary surgery.

I hope this helps, and good luck!

5 of 5 found this helpful
Helpful?

Request info from Dr. Moelleken

50 words maximum (0 words entered)
Your info is protected by our privacy policy
Post your question

Neck lift: 3 reviews

100% said it was worth it

Neck lift before & after photos

Post your question
IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Service, the information found on RealSelf.com, including that provided by professionals in the Questions & Answers area, is a general educational aid. The Questions and Answers contain opinions and views created by community members. RealSelf.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by community members. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes.