Neck Lift

Discomfort after a neck lift is typically mild to moderate and well-managed with prescribed pain medication or cold compresses. Tightness, swelling, and mild soreness are common rather than severe pain. The tight sensation comes from the repositioning of tissues and is most noticeable in the first few days following surgery. Any discomfort gradually subsides within the first one to two weeks as healing progresses.

First, you’ll have a consultation with Dr. Rivera to discuss goals, evaluate your neck anatomy, and create a surgical plan. Then, a pre-operative appointment is scheduled to review the final details, medical history, and instructions. After surgery, patients generally have one or more follow-up visits to monitor healing, remove sutures (if needed), and assess results. Additional appointments may be scheduled if any concerns arise.

Full results take time to develop, though initial improvements can be seen within a few weeks as swelling and bruising subside. Most patients see a significant difference by the 6-week mark, with continued refinement over the next 3 to 6 months as tissues settle and incisions fade. The skin gradually conforms to its new shape, revealing a firmer, more youthful neckline. While recovery timelines vary, patience is key—your final, natural-looking results will be well worth the wait.

In many cases, Dr. Rivera recommends pairing a neck lift with a facelift, as this approach prevents unnatural transitions between the lifted neck and untreated areas of the face. Some patients may also benefit from liposuction, a deep neck lift, or a bi-planar neck lift. Dr. Rivera’s extensive expertise in plastic surgery and head and neck surgery allows him to customize each procedure to your specific concerns. A consultation will determine the best combination of treatments to achieve your desired look.

Some swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, and mild discomfort are expected as part of the healing process. However, more uncommon complications may include infection, poor wound healing, visible scarring, nerve injury affecting muscle movement, or asymmetry. Dr. Rivera’s deep knowledge of neck anatomy and expertise help minimize these risks to ensure a safer procedure with top results. During your consultation, he will discuss all potential risks and how to best prepare for a safe recovery.

A neck lift is a very tailored procedure. It is not a one-size-fits-all. The type of neck lift, duration of the operation, and complexity depend on the treatment goals, the areas that need to be treated, and the severity of each individual aging sign or neck deformities (in younger patients), which vary greatly among individuals. Therefore, each surgery is tailored. Some people may benefit from a traditional neck lift with incisions (scars) behind the ears, while others may benefit from only a scar under the chin. Some patients may see results from liposuction only, while others may need a deep neck lift or a bi-planar neck lift, which are very advanced techniques only performed by a few plastic surgeons. In the latter techniques, the deep structures of the neck are modified, including the potential partial removal of fat, deep muscles, and submandibular glands.

In general, Dr. Rivera-Serrano does not recommend isolated neck lifts in aging females, given the results of adding a lift of the face, which makes the overall result much better and longer-lasting due to tissue mechanics. Dr. Rivera-Serrano has particular expertise in neck lifting due to his extensive and unique training background in neck cancer surgery and his understanding of neck anatomy. A personal consultation will determine what is best for you.

Here are some situations to consider a Neck Lift: How does a neck lift address issues such as sagging skin, wrinkles, and excess fat? How can it help individuals achieve a more youthful and refreshed look?

Some situations to consider a Neck Lift: You see wrinkles and excess skin on your neck. You have a “turkey wattle” that you dislike or that makes you look older than your age. You feel that your neck does not reflect your energy levels, youthful character, or spirit. You show signs of neck aging that do not match your age. You believe that your neck’s excess skin and sagginess are a career, professional, or social handicap. Your neck looks aged, but you want to look refreshed. You feel your neck bulges out or is too fat. You feel you have lost the distinct sharpness of the jawline from your youth.