What is a Deep Neck Lift?

A deep neck lift is a complex facial plastic surgery procedure designed to sharpen and define your lower face and neck with results that last longer than other neck lift techniques. This is accomplished by operating in the plane beneath the platysma muscle and fascia, avoiding the overly tight look associated with decades-old neck lifting techniques. Simply put, a deep neck lift focuses on removing deeper fat, softening enlarged glands, and returning the neck muscles to their appropriate positions. Traditional neck lift techniques pull on the skin and remove the soft fat from underneath the skin, which produces unnatural and short-lived results. Dr. Luck’s deep neck lift technique can achieve a more natural-looking, enduring, and powerful rejuvenation of the neck contours that restore the youthful and well-defined angles of the lower face and neck.

What Can a Deep Neck Lift Do for Me?

A deep neck lift targets the deeper layers of the neck, offering a longer-lasting and more natural rejuvenation than conventional neck lift techniques. Unlike traditional neck lifts, which primarily tighten the skin and remove surface fat, the deep neck lift operates beneath the platysma muscle and fascia. This approach allows Dr. Luck to:

Resculpt the Neck Contours: By focusing on deeper fat and muscle repositioning rather than just the skin, this procedure enhances natural contours and restores youthful definition.
Avoid an Overly Tight Look: The deep plane technique avoids the tight, unnatural, or “frozen” appearance often associated with older methods by keeping the skin attached to the platysma muscle.
Achieve Natural Results: Maintaining a healthy layer of fat directly under the skin helps to prevent skin discolorations and surface irregularities, allowing for soft and gentle contours that look youthful, not surgical.

This results in a more natural and enduring transformation that smooths the neck, sharpens the jawline, and highlights the lower face’s youthful angles.

Is a Deep Neck Lift Right for Me?

If you are bothered by excessive wrinkling of your neck skin, sagging of the neck or chin skin (often referred to as a “turkey neck”), or platysmal bands, you are likely an excellent candidate for a deep neck lift. This procedure is known for achieving the longest-lasting results and can provide powerful, long-term rejuvenation of the lower face and neck. Patients interested in a neck lift should generally be:

In good health, with no unmanaged medical conditions
Non-smokers, or willing to quit smoking before and after surgery
Realistic about their expectations for the final results

For many patients, a facelift performed with the same deep plane technique can be the perfect complement to their neck lift. A deep plane facelift is designed to reposition the muscle and tissue that support the face within the deeper layers of the face. Both procedures address the deeper planes of the face and neck rather than just the skin, permitting more natural and durable results. Our before-and-after photos showcase some of the stunning outcomes achieved by patients who received a deep plane facelift plus a deep neck lift, and we invite you to explore our patient gallery to see examples of how the procedure can give you a more youthful and defined appearance.

How is the Deep Neck Lift Procedure Performed?

A deep neck lift is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Although all variations of deep neck lifts rely on similar principles, there are countless subtleties to address in each case. Your procedure is designed and customized specifically for your unique face and neck anatomy. Very few plastic surgeons are experienced in performing a deep neck lift, which is why Dr. Luck is thrilled to offer Minneapolis patients the natural and beautiful results achieved with this complex technique.

During a deep neck lift, Dr. Luck removes the stubborn fat that accumulates with age underneath the outer neck muscle (the platysma). This layer of fibrous fat is not addressed in traditional neck lifts or with neck liposuction. Dr. Luck then repositions and suspends the platysma into a more youthful position. In some patients, additional muscle(s) and/or enlarged salivary glands may be reshaped, trimmed, or resuspended depending on your unique anatomy and desired result. A small incision is used under the chin, which is nearly undetectable after healing.

A more comprehensive breakdown of the deep neck lift procedure can be found below:

Anesthesia: To ensure your comfort and minimize pain during the surgery, Dr. Luck uses general anesthesia or deep sedation, depending on the specifics of your procedure. Anesthesia allows you to remain completely relaxed and pain-free throughout the operation.
Incision Placement: An approximately one inch incision is placed discreetly underneath the chin, minimizing visible scarring. In patients with significant laxity and tissue excess, small incisions behind the ears may also be needed. This strategic placement helps conceal scars in natural anatomical transitions, ensuring they are discreet and less noticeable.
Removal of Deep Tissue: Deep fat beneath the platysma muscle is precisely targeted and removed to sculpt the neck and jawline. In some patients with prominent submandibular glands, the excess glandular tissue can be carefully removed to reveal a more sharply defined jawline. Similarly, in patients with abnormally large, deep neck muscles, these can be trimmed and contoured to further achieve the desired neck contour without affecting function.
Repositioning of Musculature: The muscles of the neck are then precisely tightened and repositioned to precisely achieve an attractive and youthful contour.
Excess Tissue Removal: In patients with significant tissue laxity who require incisions behind the ears, excess skin and soft tissue is carefully removed to eliminate sagging and achieve a smoother contour.
Closure: The incisions are closed with fine sutures, and all scars are hidden within natural folds and shadows. Dr. Luck employs techniques that minimize scarring, aiming for nearly imperceptible results.

For relatively younger patients (usually under 45 years old) who do not require a facelift with their neck lift, the deep plane technique can yield amazing results. In many cases, only a one-inch incision under the chin is necessary to transform the profile of the lower face and neck, eliminating the need for incisions around the ears. Not only can this make you look younger, but the technique also tends to highlight a patient’s natural beauty and make them more attractive overall.

What Can I Expect From the Recovery Period After a Neck Lift?

After a deep neck lift, reactions like swelling, tenderness, numbness, or bruising are common and to be expected. Although your healing timeline will depend on your own body’s healing process and the specific techniques used in your surgery, you can typically expect most swelling and bruising to subside within three weeks of surgery. You’ll be ready for professional photography and major events within three months of your surgery. Extensive post-operative instructions will be provided and thoroughly explained when you meet with Dr. Luck in person.

How Much Does a Deep Neck Lift Cost?

A deep neck lift is the gold standard technique for neck rejuvenation. Factors including skin excess, muscle position, submandibular gland hypertrophy, and more must be evaluated during your initial assessment with Dr. Luck. While the general price range of a deep neck lift (including surgeon’s fees, anesthesia costs, operating fees, etc.) varies from $12,000 to $15,000, every patient receives a personalized quote based on the details of your unique plan.

A deep neck lift is frequently performed as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan, often including a deep facelift, buccal fat removal, chin augmentation, or others. If you opt to include these procedures with your deep neck lift, this will also affect the total cost. Our team will review your surgical plan and break down your cost estimate during your appointment.

After you discuss your goals with Dr. Luck, our office is happy to explain our plastic surgery financing options with you if desired. Our Minneapolis office accepts CareCredit® and ALPHAEON™ Credit, which are leading healthcare lending companies that provide qualified patients with short- and long-term financing plans to fit their budgetary needs. Please call our practice if you have any other questions about the cost of a deep neck lift or our payment options.

A deep neck lift is often considered one of the most technically difficult and long-lasting neck lift procedures available, which is why selecting an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon is vitally important to attaining your desired results. Please contact Gryskiewicz Twin Cities Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. John Luck today.