Conveniently Located to Serve the Areas of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Malibu, Agoura Hills, and Camarillo
You may wonder if you are ready for a Neck Lift because you are pleased with the skin on your upper face. However, your neck is one of the first areas to give away your age. If the skin under your chin or on your neck has started to sag, or excess fat has developed, you might be an excellent candidate for a Neck Lift in Thousand Oaks with Kouros Azar, M.D. To find out more about a Neck Lift and determine if it is the right fit for you, request a consultation at Azar Plastic Surgery. We will meet with you and discuss your goals and treatment options. You can also call (805) 373-7073, and our friendly, knowledgeable staff will book your appointment.
Tighten Your Sagging Skin Fast
Women and men come to Dr. Azar for a Neck Lift, and many of these Westlake Village, Simi Valley, and Camarillo residents have a facelift as well. During the neck lift procedure, loose skin is carefully trimmed away, excess fat is removed, and the muscle layer is tightened for long-lasting rejuvenation.
Since not all surgeons define a Neck Lift in the same manner, it's vital to discuss your surgeon's procedure in great detail during your initial consultation, including the location of your incisions. Excess fat, lax platysma muscles, and sagging neck skin are the three major problems that a Neck Lift is intended to address.
A Firmer, Tighter Neck
A Neck Lift creates a slimmer, more defined, and younger-looking neck by lifting and smoothing sagging skin, removing excess skin, and tightening the muscle underneath the skin. A Neck Lift by Dr. Azar trades double chins, horizontal neck bands, wrinkles, and a “turkey neck” for a more defined and youthful jawline. Compared to non-surgical neck rejuvenation options, which typically call for numerous sessions and provide considerably less noticeable and lasting results, this outpatient cosmetic surgery is by far the most effective.
Hold Your Head High
This procedure is excellent for anyone looking to tackle unwanted fat, loose muscles, and sagging or excess skin in just one session that delivers lasting results.
A Neck Lift is usually suggested for people who are getting close to 50. This procedure isn't meant to make significant changes to your body. Instead, it's an intervention that can help you get benefits like a better neck shape, more elastic skin, and less wrinkling and sagging in your neck. If you're worried about loose skin around your neck, you should make an appointment with Westlake Village Neck Lift provider, Dr. Azar, right away. Depending on the degree of improvement you are seeking and the amount of loose skin you have, you may need to have a lower facelift at the same time in order to reposition and remove all of the lax skin and tissue. Your options will be reviewed with you at the time of your consultation.
A Neck Lift can be tailored to your specific needs and desired outcomes. Dr. Azar may recommend combining a Neck Lift with other facial plastic surgery procedures, like a facelift, to achieve a more comprehensive rejuvenation. By addressing specific concerns such as stubborn platysmal bands, excess fat, or a prominent "turkey wattle," Dr. Azar can customize the procedure to target your unique concerns. Additionally, different surgical techniques can be employed based on the extent of correction needed and your desired outcome, which Dr. Azar or our medically trained esthetician will discuss with you during your consultation.
The surgery is often done as an outpatient procedure under either general anesthesia or local anesthetic with intravenous sedation. Neck Lifts usually take 1-3 hours, depending on the scope of the issue at hand. Small incisions are made behind the ears to remove excess skin, and a small incision hidden under the chin is used to remove fat and expose the muscle layer.
The underlying muscle layer of the neck is also tightened with sutures, and excess skin is removed and tightened behind the ears. After surgery, swelling is reduced with a light neck sling and an elastic dressing that allows the treated area to heal properly. Since not all surgeons define a Neck Lift in the same manner, it's a good idea to discuss your surgeon's procedure in great detail during your initial consultation, including the location of your incisions. The operation primarily targets loose platysma muscles, excess fat, and sagging neck skin.
Recovery times may vary, taking 2-4 weeks for bruising and swelling to subside completely and incision lines to fade. In general, the first week is real “downtime,” where you are resting at home. In subsequent weeks, you may gradually increase your activity level based on Dr. Azar's recommendations. Unlike more invasive surgeries, the body reacts to a Neck Lift with a “healing response,” which effectively directs surges of collagen to the targeted areas to promote rejuvenation and a more youthful appearance, tone, and firmness in your neck over time.
While healing is fairly quick, patients still need to take precautions, such as not vigorously rubbing the face while cleaning or applying moisturizer. Such precautions may be necessary for at least a week after the operation to ensure the lift holds in place while healing in the desired position. Strong pain medication is seldom needed, meaning patients can return to their regular routine sooner. The minimal recovery time associated with a Neck Lift makes it a good option for people with children in the home or those with busy lives and active careers.
Longer-Lasting Results in One Operation
Dr. Azar may recommend combining the Neck Lift with a facelift. The mechanical advantage of tightening the neck skin and muscles in combination with a facelift results in a much more powerful operation to improve the neck than a Neck Lift alone, which can last up to a decade. He will explain this in greater detail at your consultation.
Some patients may have strong, prominent neck muscles that never really gave them a very youthful neck, even when they were younger. These patients’ necks can be dramatically improved by both removing and tightening some of the prominent neck muscles during the Neck Lift. This procedure is called “digastric muscle resection” Patients concerned more about a double chin whose skin remains relatively elastic may be good candidates for KYBELLA® injections, a non-surgical treatment to reduce fat below the chin.
Achieving optimal results from your Neck Lift requires a two-pronged approach. First, Dr. Azar will employ his surgical expertise to address the underlying causes of visible aging in the neck area. Second, you can significantly enhance and prolong these results by adopting certain lifestyle practices.
Sun exposure is a major contributor to premature skin aging. It can damage skin cells, break down collagen, and lead to wrinkles and laxity. By minimizing sun exposure before and after surgery, you can promote optimal healing and prevent future sun damage that could compromise your results.
A balanced diet rich in nutrients and regular exercise are essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. This also applies to healing after surgery. Proper nutrition supports the body's natural healing processes, while exercise promotes good circulation, which is vital for optimal healing and long-term skin health.
Establishing a consistent skincare routine with products suitable for your skin type is crucial for maintaining skin health and youthful radiance. A good skincare routine can help prevent dryness, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve overall skin tone and texture. Consult a dermatologist or esthetician to develop a personalized skincare regimen that complements your Neck Lift procedure.
During your consultation with Westlake Village neck lift surgeon, Dr. Azar or our medically trained esthetician, openly discuss your desired outcome and any specific concerns you may have. This will allow us to tailor the surgical approach to achieve your goals and provide guidance on how to optimize your results through post-operative lifestyle practices.
Cost of Neck Lift Surgery
The exact cost of a Neck Lift varies depending on several factors, including:
During your consultation, we will provide a detailed cost breakdown based on your individualized surgical plan. Financing options may also be available to discuss.
Meet Dr. Kouros Azar—Specializing in Neck Lifts
Dr. Azar is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 19 years of experience. He is a leader in innovative surgical techniques, achieving exceptional patient outcomes while prioritizing the highest safety standards. In addition to his expertise as a plastic surgeon, Dr. Azar is also a nationally recognized expert in medical technology, with multiple awards in Biomedical Engineering.
A Neck Lift can make you look years younger, especially when combined with other facial sculpting surgery. In certain cases, Dr. Azar can use BOTOX® Cosmetic injections to renew the neck by softening vertical bands and horizontal wrinkles. Schedule your private consultation today.
Thanks to anesthesia, the neck lift surgery itself is not painful at all. However, after the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some discomfort for the first 24-48 hours after surgery, such as stiffness and soreness. Numbness is often very common because of the temporary disruption of nerve endings.
Like all surgical procedures, a Neck Lift comes with risks like infection or fluid collection under the skin. Although rare, nerve damage can occur and create temporary muscle weakness, which can take several months to resolve.
Insurance usually does not cover cosmetic surgeries, and a Neck Lift falls into the category of cosmetics.
The cost of a Neck Lift will vary with each patient. However, Dr. Azar maintains the highest standard of care, which is the most important determinant of cost in any healthcare procedure. Dr. Azar personalizes each surgery based on the needs of the patient. During your consultation, we will discuss your surgical options and the cost of your surgery. Dr. Azar’s office also offers payment plans.
Ideal candidates for Neck Lift surgery typically experience:
For some patients, non-surgical options like Kybella® injections or BOTOX® Cosmetic injections may be suitable to address mild concerns. However, Neck Lift surgery offers the most dramatic and long-lasting results for significant signs of aging in the neck area.
Radiant Results
Dr. Kouros Azar, founder and medical director of Azar Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, is an attentive listener, a devoted surgeon and doctor, and a highly-skilled biomedical engineer. He matches his patients with the best possible treatments by drawing on his extensive expertise, compassion, and research skills. Make an appointment with Dr. Azar now to discuss your rejuvenation options.