Can I have a deep plane neck lift on its own?

Hi. Thank you for sharing your inquiry.
First, I’d like to mention that surgical diagnoses are typically based on the patient’s symptoms.
As people age, sagging often affects the entire face from top to bottom. This means that even if you only address the neck with a Neck Lift, it’s unlikely to fully improve mid-face sagging or create a smooth jawline. For this reason, Facelift and Neck Lift are often performed together for comprehensive and balanced results.
If your main concern is the neck, it’s essential to evaluate it from two perspectives: sagging and bulky volume under the chin. A Deep Neck Lift might be an effective option for you, and in some cases, Submentoplasty may be necessary to achieve optimal results.
For a more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan, I highly recommend an in-person consultation with a specialist.
I hope this helps guide your decision-making!
Thank you.
-Dr. Min-Hee Ryu M.DDeep Plane Facelift

Thank you. This is indeed a very good question and one that is often underrepresented in discussions with patients.

The criteria for performing a deep plane neck lift on its own can vary, and every surgeon defines their own boundaries. In my practice, the visibility of the labiomandibular lines and the characteristics of the jawline play an important role in determining whether a combined facelift and neck lift or a neck lift alone would provide the best outcome.

With neck lift surgery, even if there is moderate laxity in the submental region, scars are typically required in front of and behind the ears. However, the nature of these scars can be modified if a gliding facelift or endoscopic facelift is used in combination. These techniques can manage facial skin excess in a vertical vector, potentially eliminating the need for an incision in front of the ear in younger patients.

Ultimately, evaluation of skin elasticity and the volumes to be addressed is critical in making this decision. These factors ensure that the approach is tailored to the patient’s specific anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Hi and thank you for your question. This is a very difficult topic and most often comes up in patients in their 30s and 40s. Many patients begin to see changes in the neck early or maybe congenitally they have never had the sculpted neck they have desired, but do not feel they need a facelift. The decision is very nuanced and really depends on a patient's specific anatomy. It largely depends on skin elasticity, neck volume, and if there are any changes that need to be addressed in the lower 1/3 of the face. Some patients have good skin elasticity and simply need some neck volume removed with liposuction. Other patients benefit from sculpting deeper neck structures, removing some volume in the neck, and tightening the platysma muscle (plastysmaplasty). Typically these patients will have redundant skin since the excess volume has acted like a tissue expander to the skin. The redundant skin can be removed through an incision curved in the crease behind the ear that bends into the hairline so you can still wear your hair up. Additionally, some patients will benefit from lifting a portion of their lower face in addition to the necklift portion. These patients typically have some degree of jowls that they would like addressed which a necklift alone cannot accomplish. That is my typical thought process from a surgeons perspective and I'm sorry I cannot give you more specifics on your case without pictures. This is a complex and very personal decision so you should take your time when deciding. I would consult with several surgeons specializing only in facial rejuvenation procedures to find someone you are comfortable with. Make sure to look at several before and after pictures to ensure your surgeon can meet your aesthetic goals! Good luck!