Weight loss: am I candidate for a neck lift? (photos)

Question

I have lost a lot of weight and now have lose skin on my neck that makes me look years older than I am. I also have no definition in my jaw. Should I have a neck lift or try threads? Also considering filler in my chin. Will the deep horizontal lines on my neck also be fixed with a lift? Would appreciate any advice on what I can do to fix this because its really bothering me.

Barry M. Weintraub, MD, FACS · Answer

I would caution you against any non-invasive procedures, which (if they were successful) might grant you a short amount of time, but ultimately wouldn’t stave off the need for surgery, and most of these procedures employ treatments that make surgery more difficult since they produce substantial amounts of scar tissue. In truth, the best thing would be a physical exam in person to give you a definitive answer about what would be best for you. If you are considering adding projection to your chin (which is not shown in the photos), then you could consider an implant placed at the same time as the neck lift. In your case in particular, I recommend that you consult in person with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations and to see which approach(es) would best suit your needs.

Jason Roth, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

The two vertical lines running just beside the midline of your neck are the edges of the platysma muscle. In some patients these can be made less obvious through injections like Botox/Xeomin. They can also be sutured together in a procedure called a "platysmaplasty". If you had a neck lift or lower facelift I think you should consider a platysmaplasty at the same time. These terms can be all used interchangeably which can be confusing. Often a necklift includes a platysmaplasty so discuss all this thoroughly with your surgeon.

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Excess saggy neck skin following weight loss usually has poor elasticity, and so removing and tightening   it with a standard necklift solves the problem for the long term.  The frontal photo seems to show sagging platysma muscle bands which can be lifted and tightened with a necklift.   However, the horizontal neck creases are not removed with a necklift.  Nevertheless, I think this is your best option.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

A combination approach would give the most improvement. Nonsurgical options such as Kybella, PDO NovaThreads, and Ultherapy do well in combination for skin tightening, but the results are mild compared to surgical options.

I would recommend a VASER Hi-Definition Liposuction with ThermiRF, Renuvion (J Plasma) and InMode BodyTite to contour and tighten the chin and neck. A neck lift can be performed at the same time, if you're a good candidate. I suggest seeing a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist to develop a personalized treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer.​

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Thank you for your question and sharing your photographs.

In general, the features of your jawline and neck contours are good indication for neck lift surgery in particular with deep plane volume reduction.

The horizontal lines are generally attenuated by the neck lift procedure but they do not disappear. They tend to be present from early life and related to the support mechanisms of the skin which are different from person to person. These lines can be improved with small amount of fat transfer or filler into the lines but in general the degree of improvement through the neck lift is also noticeable.

Weight loss: am I candidate for a neck lift? (photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Skin Tightening for the Neck -- Kybella, Ultherapy, Thermage, PDO NovaThreads vs VASER Hi-Def, ThermiRF, Renuvion, BodyTite

Answer: Skin Tightening for the Neck -- Kybella, Ultherapy, Thermage, PDO NovaThreads vs VASER Hi-Def, ThermiRF, Renuvion, BodyTite

Answer: Neck lift following weight loss

Answer: Neck lift following weight loss

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Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

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Weight loss: am I candidate for a neck lift? (photos)

Answers (9)

Answer: Skin Tightening for the Neck -- Kybella, Ultherapy, Thermage, PDO NovaThreads vs VASER Hi-Def, ThermiRF, Renuvion, BodyTite

Answer: Skin Tightening for the Neck -- Kybella, Ultherapy, Thermage, PDO NovaThreads vs VASER Hi-Def, ThermiRF, Renuvion, BodyTite

Answer: Neck lift following weight loss

Answer: Neck lift following weight loss

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.