Neck Lift Houston
Aging and gravity eventually leave their mark on the delicate skin of the neck, causing sagging, wrinkles, and the dreaded “turkey neck“. These changes may impact your appearance and sense of self-confidence. Neck lift is a cosmetic procedure that restores a more contoured and youthful jawline. As a leading specialist in neck rejuvenation techniques – Chaowen Wu, MD, PhD tailors lower face and neck muscle lifting and excess skin removal to restore and enhance your neck contour.
Dr. Wu has received extensive training in aesthetic plastic surgery and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. While Dr. Wu has expertise in many cosmetic procedures, she has focused exclusively on facial plastic surgery. This has enabled her to channel her mastery and emerge among the top facial rejuvenation specialists in Houston, TX, and across the country.
Neck Lift Before & After Photos
Deep Plane Facelift, Deep neck lift
Age: 55-60
Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Neck Lift
Age: 50-55
Deep Plane Facelift, Deep Neck Lift
Age: 40-45
Who is a Good Candidate for Neck Lift Surgery?
Neck lift surgery – also referred to as platysmaplasty – is an increasingly popular cosmetic surgery that aims to create a more defined and youthful-looking neck. You may be a good candidate for neck rejuvenation in Houston if you:
- Are in generally good physical and mental health.
- Don’t have underlying medical conditions that prevent optimal wound healing or recovery.
- Have neck bands, sagging skin, excessive jowls, or a double chin.
- Want a youthful and contoured jawline.
- Don’t smoke or are willing to stop smoking several months before and after the surgery.
- Have realistic expectations from the neck lift.
During your neck lift consultation visit in Houston, Dr. Wu will carefully listen to your concerns, examine your problem areas, and let you know whether this treatment is for you. In some cases, the surgeon may recommend that you consider a different procedure or combination of procedures in order to achieve your specific objectives.
Key Neck Lift Benefits
A neck lift offers many unique benefits to qualified patients. These include:
- Reduce the appearance of a “turkey neck”
- Get rid of sagging neck skin and wrinkles
- Eliminate or reduce the appearance of a double chin
- Remove fatty deposits in the neck area to reveal an improved neck jawline angle
- Restore a smooth and youthful overall lower face contour
- Boost your sense of self-esteem and confidence
Further benefits may be unlocked when Dr. Wu uses the deep neck lift technique, which is increasingly popular thanks to its natural and enduring results:
- This method repositions the underlying muscle layers, not just stretching the skin, making it distinct from the conventional facelifts and neck lifts which primarily focus on superficial skin tightening.
- Imparts a natural appearance without the unnatural taut look.
- Diminishes the chances of scars or surface inconsistencies.
Why Many Patients Trust Dr. Wu to Deliver Outstanding Results With Neck Lift Surgical Enhancement in Houston
Dr. Chaowen Wu is a nationally recognized expert in deep neck lift procedures, setting a high standard not only in Houston, TX, but across the country. Her dedication to specializing exclusively in facial plastic surgery allows her to refine her techniques and offer patients an unparalleled level of expertise. Many of Dr. Wu’s deep neck lift patients come from the Houston area (including The Woodlands, Humble, Spring, Tomball, Cypress, and Conroe), but her expertise and reputation attract individuals from all corners of the nation seeking her exceptional skill. Dr. Wu's patient-centric approach fosters open communication and a judgment-free environment to ensure a positive experience and outstanding deep neck lift results.
Dr. Wu's Specialized Neck Lift Surgery Technique
Dr. Chaowen Wu’s approach to neck rejuvenation goes beyond traditional methods to incorporate a multi-faceted strategy that achieves natural, lasting results. The surgeon aims to address both the superficial and deep structural components of neck aging. She utilizes innovative techniques that encompass the following:
- Open Submental Contouring – excess fat under the chin that contribute to a “double chin” are sculpted both above and below the platysma muscle layers. This is advantageous over liposuction of the chin as it provides precise control over the amount of fat removed as well as being able to address deep fat pads under the platysma muscle. Dr. Wu’s goal with this step is to create a more defined jawline and neck contour.
- Platysmaplasty – Dr. Wu tightens and repositions the platysma muscle (which runs from the jaw to the collarbone) to restore a smoother, more youthful neckline.
- SMAS Manipulation – the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), which is a layer of tissue beneath the skin and plays a crucial role in facial and neck support, is expertly tightened to create a subtle lift that improves overall neck definition.
The surgery is performed at Dr. Wu’s in-office operating room or an accredited surgical facility. General anesthesia may be used, but Dr. Wu also specializes in local anesthesia with IV sedation approach that offers many unique advantages. The surgeon will create discrete incisions during the treatment and use careful closure techniques to minimize scarring. This is an outpatient surgery, so you’ll likely be allowed to go home or to your hotel on the same day. The entire neck lift procedure takes about 2 – 4 hours to complete.
What Type of Anesthesia is Used During Neck Lift Surgery?
Your safety is our priority, and Dr. Wu constantly seeks the safest way for you to achieve your beauty goals. The surgeon may perform your neck rejuvenation procedure using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Compared to general anesthesia, local anesthesia with IV sedation option offers unique benefits like:
- Decreased risk of bleeding during surgery.
- Decreased risk of nausea and vomiting after surgery.
- Avoid systemic side effects of general anesthesia that may make you feel groggy and uncomfortable after surgery.
- Overall faster recovery.
Recovery
Recovery after your neck lift Houston involves several phases each with its unique considerations.
Immediate Post-Surgery
You should experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the neck area. Drainage tubes are often used to collect excess fluid. A compression garment is also needed for support and pain medication will be prescribed to improve your discomfort. Dr. Wu asks that you keep your head elevated and avoid strenous activity during this initial neck lift recovery phase.
First Week
Swelling and bruising will gradually subside but you may still experience some numbness or tightness in the neck. Most patients are able to resume light activities and return to work within a week, depending on their occupation. You’ll need to adhere to Dr. Wu’s post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery process.
Second Week and Onwards
Swelling and bruising should continue to improve significantly. You will be able to slowly increase your activity level but avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for several weeks. Scars begin to fade and become less noticeable over time. Keep in mind that final results of your traditional neck lift surgery in Houston may still take several months to fully manifest as swelling resolves and tissues continue to settle.
Long-Term
Dr. Wu recommends that you maintain your surgical neck lift results with a healthy lifestyle, sun protection, good skincare habits, and excellent posture. The team at Revel You Facial Plastic Surgery will be available to answer your questions and provide any guidance you may need throughout your recovery journey.
How Much Does Neck Lift Cost in Houston
The cost of platysmaplasty in Houston, TX will vary greatly based on the specifics and goals of your treatment. You can see our recommended starting budget on our contact form. Dr. Wu’s team will provide a personalized cost estimate after your consultation visit in The Woodlands, TX office.
Why You May Want to Consider a Deep Plane Neck Lift
A Deep Neck Lift is a more comprehensive form of neck lift surgery specifically targeting the fat and tissues in the double chin and neck region for more enhanced results. Dr. Wu does not perform liposuction to the neck for several reasons. Not only can neck liposuction create unwanted uneven scar tissue, it is also unable to address the excess fat under the platysma muscle. A deep neck lift emphasizes restoring natural definition to the chin, jawline, and neck by contouring the deep tissues below the platysma muscle as well as tightening loose neck muscle bands under the chin. Dr. Wu is an expert in the deep plane neck lift and deep plane facelift techniques and offers these as enhanced options to patients who desires to address severe signs of aging beyond the limits of traditional approaches.
How to Choose the Best Neck Lift Surgeon in Houston TX
Choosing the right neck lift procedure surgeon is the first crucial step to ensure a satisfactory outcome and professional plastic surgery experience. Here are a few important qualifications to put into consideration:
- Board Certification and experience – only work with a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in neck lift procedures.
- Patient-Centered – select a Houston plastic surgeon who prioritizes patient education and open and non-judgemental communication to help you convey your concerns and make informed decisions.
- Before-and-After Photos – review before-and-after photos to assess the surgeon’s aesthetic sensibilities and ensure their results match your desired outcome.
- Trust and Comfort – choose a neck lift surgeon who makes you feel comfortable and confident and who you trust to can trust to guide you throughout your neck lift journey.
Your One on One Consultation With Dr. Wu
When you meet Dr. Chaowen Wu and the Revel You Facial Plastic Surgery team, you will experience how liberating it is to take time and express yourself freely in a safe, judgment-free, and supportive environment. Your deep plane neck lift consultation is reserved for one hour with most of that time spent discussing your facelift goals with Dr. Wu. You’ll never feel pressured or rushed as we understand that choosing the right plastic surgeon is the most important first step. When you meet us, you’ll quickly understand why clients trust Dr. Wu with their most beloved facial features and why they choose Dr. Wu as their life long plastic surgeon. Detailed guidance can be found on our Out-of-Town page for patients who would like to travel to The Woodlands.
Dr. Wu's Other Facial Rejuvenation Techniques
Dr. Chaowen Wu specializes in multiple other facial plastic surgery procedures to suit the needs of different patients:
Full Facelift
Because your face represents you to the world, a facelift may be the most intimate procedure you have ever considered. The goal of facelift surgery is to tighten the facial skin by removing excessive skin from the face due to age, hereditary factors, or weight loss. Learn how Dr. Wu can preserve all of your defining features with a gentle facelift.
Deep Plane Facelift
A deep plane facelift technique addresses advanced signs of aging in the mid and lower face. This involves lifting and repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues (the SMAS layer) to improve sagging jowls, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds. Because it lifts the deeper tissues, a deep plane facelift provides longer-lasting results.
Mini Facelift
If you are bothered by signs of aging in your lower face including jowls, marionette lines, and general loss of definition in your jawline, the mini facelift can provide the solution to these problem areas. The incisions are kept in natural creases to keep them concealed. This procedure is one of the least invasive types of facelift.
Neck Lift
A neck lift is the most powerful way to treat advanced neck aging, including horizontal wrinkles, vertical neck bands, loose neck muscle, and loose skin that form the dreaded “turkey wattle.” It is often combined with a facelift procedure to achieve harmonious rejuvenation – as it uses the same incision around the ears.
Facial Fat Transfer
Facial volume is lost over time and may be restored to your youthful self using your own fat. Facial fat transfer heals without scars and provides a natural, soft, and lasting alternative to fillers. This is a great way to rejuvenate the eyes, cheeks, and even lips with minimal down time using your own excess body fat.
Eyelid Lift
Aging of the eyelids often appears as eyelid hooding, hollowing, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, and just general tired appearance. Eyelid surgery is an excellent procedure choice to remove excess skin and reposition the fat in this area in order to reawaken tired eyes and achieve a lively facial aesthetic.
Brow lift
Your eyebrows frame your eyes and with age may start drooping. This can lead to the appearance of looking sad, tired, or angry. A brow lift restores the eyebrows to a youthful position which can help you look rested and relaxed.
Vertical Facelift
Dr. Wu offers the vertical facelift to lift the underlying facial tissues in a vertical direction (as opposed to the horizontal pull of a traditional facelift). This improves sagging cheeks, jowls, and neck laxity for a natural facial contour.
Rhinoplasty
Aging of the eyelids can appear as eyelid hooding, hollowing, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, and just general tired appearance. Eyelid surgery can remove excess skin and reposition the fat to reawaken tired eyes.
Neck Lift FAQs
If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, simply contact us!
How is a neck lift performed?
Dr. Chaowen Wu performs neck rejuvenation surgery as an outpatient procedure. Dr. Wu makes a small incision underneath the chin for deep neck contouring and incisions around the ears to tighten and remove excess skin.
Can I combine a neck lift with other procedures?
Platysmaplasty may be done alone or incorporated with other facial rejuvenation surgeries, such as Deep Plane Facelift, Eyelid Surgery, Brow Lift, and Facial Fat Transfer, to enhance the innate elegance of your face. An in-person consultation with Dr. Wu is the best way to discuss the most effective and personalized solution for you.
How long do neck lift results last?
Neck lift results can last 10 years or longer however it doesn’t stop the aging process. Over time our skin and tissues continue to age, so a touch up may be warranted down the road if you choose.
Which facial rejuvenation procedures can be done under local anesthesia with IV sedation?
Nearly all facial procedures can be performed safely and comfortably under local anesthesia with IV sedation; therefore, avoiding the risks of general anesthesia. Common procedures include: facelift, neck lift, eyelid lift, brow lift, and facial fat transfer.
Who are the best candidates for the "weekend neck lift" or deep neck contouring only?
The weekend neck lift, or deep neck contouring using only a small incision under the chin, is ideal for young individuals in their 20s and 30s with fullness under the chin (double chin) without any loose skin or jowls. Those with more advanced signs of neck aging including platysma muscle banding and loose and extra skin will unlikely to achieve satisfactory results without a full neck lift with or without facelift.
Who are the best candidates for full neck lift?
For beauties with advanced signs of facial aging who desire comprehensive correction, a full face and neck lift combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures is the choice for maximal results. Advanced signs of aging include general loss of facial volume and skin elasticity, droopy brows, saggy eyelids, droopy and hollow cheeks, deep folds around the mouth, downturned lips, sagging jowls, neck bands and loose skin. Incisions begin in front of the ears sweeping around the ear lobes and into the hairline. This process provides the most dramatic rejuvenation and lift for beauties with severe facial aging.