The neck can be one of the first indicators of age. Many patients call our office with complaints of a saggy neck, “turkey waddle,” multiple chins, neck bands, and/or wrinkles. As we age, underlying neck muscles begin to relax and skin begins to lose its elasticity, leading to neck bands, “turkey neck,” and the appearance of “double chins.” Symptoms can further be exacerbated by poor genetics, stress and weight fluctuations.
Most patients with aging neck concerns range from 40-70 years old. The purpose of our Pittsburgh neck lift surgery (cervicoplasty) is to reduce loose neck skin and excess fat, smooth out wrinkles/bands and firm neck muscles and skin. The result is a tighter, more youthful looking neck with greater definition and contour. The best candidate for a neck lift procedure is a healthy man or woman with excessive neck skin or fat.
Neck lift consultation with Dr. Leong
A consultation with Dr. Leong provides vital information about your cosmetic concerns and helps shed light on what the best corrective action should be. Dr. Leong spends approximately one hour during consultations to review the details of the procedure, assess before and after neck lift images, answer questions and discuss neck lift options.
If both you and Dr. Leong agree that neck lift surgery is a good option for you, you will likely come back for a second consultation (to answer any further questions) or for a pre-op. During the pre-op appointment, our registered nurse and the doctor will discuss the surgical process in detail with you to ensure that you are adequately prepared to move forward.
What does Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery represent?
At Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery, we represent transparency and integrity in everything we do. Dr. Leong truly tells his patients the truth about their upcoming treatment—even if it’s something they don’t want to hear. He is dedicated to his patients’ well-being, and that means ensuring they are fully informed about all factors before undergoing treatment. Additionally, Dr. Leong’s focus is to create natural results, never fake or overdone. Rest assured, when you come to Sistine for facial plastic surgery, you are walking into an environment of technical excellence and high integrity.
It’s your face. Trust it to a specialist.
What happens during neck lift surgery at Sistine Facial Plastic Surgery in Pittsburgh?
Neck lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia or under deep sedation in a hospital operating room. This is a safe and appropriate setting to perform this type of surgery. Once anesthesia is administered and you are prepped for surgery, Dr. Leong makes a small incision underneath the chin in order to reach the platysma muscle. The platysma muscle is then secured into a more youthful position to reduce the appearance of neck bands (sometimes called platysmal bands). If needed, additional skin or fat will also be removed.
Some patients have excess fat in their necks that can be removed with liposuction or by directly removing the fat through the incision. During liposuction, a vacuum tube draws out excess fat which can then be injected into areas of the face needing volume. Fat collected during liposuction can also be transferred to areas of the face with excessive wrinkles and folds. This helps smooth out the skin and fill in deep lines and folds.
Once the neck muscle is secured and excess skin and fat are removed, the skin is realigned and stitched. In addition to the incision under the chin, there are well-concealed incisions behind the ear which allow the excess skin of the neck to be removed. An important advantage of having a neck lift without a simultaneous facelift is that you avoid the incision in front of the ear.
What is the recovery after a neck lift?
A neck bandage is required for approximately 7 days. Stitches will need to be removed in usually 7-10 days. The downtime after our neck lift in Pittsburgh is about two weeks. In order to heal properly and more quickly, it is important to follow all post op instructions, eat healthy and limit strenuous activity.
Face lift vs. neck lift
Some patients who are not yet ready for a facelift, contemplate whether they should move forward with a neck lift first. Dr. Leong suggests focusing on what bothers you the most. Quite often, a neck lift without a facelift is attractive to men. They are often more concerned about the incision in front of the ear, which is avoided in a neck lift. Also, men are concerned about moving hair-bearing skin onto their tragus (the area right in front of the ear that does not have hair normally).
The critical issue for both men and women is how aged the face looks. If the face looks pretty good, then a neck lift alone can be considered. However, if the face looks aged, then it is better to do both a facelift and neck lift. Sometimes the neck is what is bothering the patient the most, so they do not see the degree to which the face is aged. But they will almost always see the facial age issues after the neck is done.
Aging patients who combine a neck and facelift often have the most impressive cosmetic results. Dr. Leong will help you clarify these goals and decide which surgical option is best for you during a consultation at our Southside (Pittsburgh), Wexford, Sewickley or Greensburg office locations.
Paul Leong MD FACS
The Facial Specialist
Dr. Leong's education and training journey started with a medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine. He then focused on head, face, and neck surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, a top five otolaryngology program in the country, for seven years. After that, he went on to complete two fellowships - one in Advanced Oncologic Surgery of the Head and Neck at Pittsburgh Medical Center and the other in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Oregon Health Sciences University.
What is the cost of a Neck Lift in Pittsburgh?
Pricing for a Neck Lift can differ based on the degree of aging and the complexity of the surgery. The plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon’s experience will also play a role in the cost. The price of a neck lift ranges from $12,000 to $17,000 in Pittsburgh. During your consultation with Dr. Leong, an individualized plan and pricing will be discussed in detail. Please contact our office at 412-693-6475 for further questions.
Now Serving Morgantown
Dr. Paul Leong is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializing exclusively in aesthetic facial plastic surgery. With an international reputation for the quality of his neck lift surgery, Dr. Leong’s practice has a regional scope, drawing patients from well beyond Pittsburgh. To better serve his patients in the region, Dr. Leong has expanded with an additional office in Morgantown, WV.