Changes in the neck are often among the earliest and most noticeable signs of aging. Loose skin, excess fat beneath the chin, prominent neck bands, and loss of definition along the jawline can contribute to an older appearance even when the face remains relatively youthful. Neck lift surgery is designed to improve neck contours, tighten underlying tissues, and create a smoother, more defined profile.
Patients throughout Atlanta and Sandy Springs choose Dr. Brian Maloney for neck rejuvenation procedures because of his specialized expertise in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Maloney is dual board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology and completed advanced fellowship training dedicated exclusively to cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face and neck. His individualized approach helps patients achieve natural-looking improvements that complement their overall facial appearance.
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About the Neck Lift Procedure
Facial Liposuction, which includes the neck, Botox® Cosmetic, and surgery, is used for Neck Lift procedures. A Neck Lift procedure may include one of these procedures or a combination. Botox® Cosmetic can be used to relax the neck bands, and Liposuction can refine the neck’s appearance by removing fatty deposits. Neck Lift surgery is performed with either twilight or general anesthesia, depending on your preference. The incisions are made behind the ears or under the chin, and Dr. Brian Maloney removes excess skin and fat during surgery and may also tighten or reposition the muscles.

Neck Lifts provide excellent results for both men and women. A Mid-line Neck Lift can help soften a turkey neck in men. An oval of skin is excised, and the underlying fat and muscle are contoured. After the incisions are closed, a compression bandage is placed over the surgical area. You will wear the bandage for at least one week. Patients may experience bruising and swelling after their Neck Lift procedure, and symptoms should last only a few days. Tightness, tingling, pulling, numbness, and burning are also common symptoms that should resolve within a few weeks of surgery. Most patients return to normal activities after 10 to 14 days, although more strenuous activities should be avoided for at least three weeks.
The Benefits of a Neck Lift
A neck lift can significantly improve the appearance of the neck and jawline by addressing loose skin, excess fat, and visible signs of aging. Many patients choose neck lift surgery because the neck is often difficult to improve through exercise or non-surgical treatments alone.
Potential benefits of a neck lift include:
- Improved jawline definition
- Reduction of excess neck skin and fullness
- Smoother neck contours
- Correction of a “turkey neck” appearance
- A more youthful and refreshed profile
- Increased confidence in personal and professional settings
Results are tailored to each patient’s anatomy and goals, creating natural-looking improvements that complement the rest of the face.
Is a Neck Lift Right for You?
The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for a neck lift is to meet with Dr. Maloney. Dr. Maloney will discuss your cosmetic goals during your consultation appointment and perform a thorough examination. This is an ideal time to ask Dr. Maloney questions about the procedure.
Additional Facial Procedures
What Does a Neck Lift Actually Correct?
A neck lift can address several changes that affect neck and jawline contour. Depending on the patient’s anatomy, treatment may focus on:
- Loose or hanging skin beneath the chin
- Prominent vertical neck bands
- Localized fat that contributes to fullness
- Reduced definition between the jawline and neck
- Laxity in deeper tissues that creates a “turkey neck” appearance
These concerns often develop together, so treatment may involve more than one technique. Dr. Brian Maloney evaluates the skin, underlying muscles, fat distribution, and lower facial contours to determine which structures to address for a smoother, more balanced result.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?
Neck lift surgery may be appropriate for patients who want a more substantial correction than non-surgical treatments can provide. Good candidates are generally in good overall health, have realistic expectations for surgery, and are comfortable with the recovery required for a surgical procedure.
Skin quality, tissue laxity, facial proportions, and the location of age-related changes also influence whether a neck lift is the right approach. Some patients have aging that is largely isolated to the neck, while others have changes extending into the lower face.
Dr. Maloney evaluates these factors during the consultation to determine whether neck lift surgery is appropriate and how to tailor the procedure to the patient’s anatomy and goals.
When Is a Neck Lift Combined With a Facelift?
A neck lift may provide sufficient improvement when aging is concentrated primarily beneath the chin and along the neck. When jowling, sagging lower facial tissues, or changes in the cheeks are also present, combining a neck lift with a facelift may create a more cohesive result.
The two procedures target related but different areas. A neck lift focuses primarily below the jawline, while a facelift addresses age-related changes throughout the lower face and may extend into the cheeks.
By evaluating the face and neck together, Dr. Maloney can determine whether treating the neck alone will provide appropriate balance or whether addressing both areas during the same surgical plan would better meet the patient’s goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Neck lift surgery can provide long-lasting improvement because excess skin and deeper tissues are surgically repositioned. Although the natural aging process continues, the neck typically maintains a more defined contour than it would have without surgery. Factors such as skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle can influence how the area changes over time.
A neck lift primarily addresses loose skin, underlying tissue laxity, muscle changes, and contour rather than surface skin concerns. Issues such as fine lines, sun damage, uneven pigmentation, or changes in skin texture may require a separate skin treatment. Dr. Maloney can evaluate whether complementary treatments would be beneficial as part of a broader neck rejuvenation plan.
No single age makes a neck lift appropriate. The decision is based more on the degree of skin and tissue laxity, the patient’s anatomy, overall health, and aesthetic goals than on age alone. Some patients develop noticeable neck aging earlier than others, so we make treatment recommendations on an individual basis.
Why Choose Maloney Center for facial plastic surgery for Neck Lift Surgery?
Successful neck rejuvenation requires a thorough understanding of facial and neck anatomy, as well as the ability to create results that look natural and balanced. At Maloney Center for facial plastic surgery, neck lift procedures are performed by Dr. Brian Maloney, a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon with decades of experience specializing in cosmetic procedures of the face and neck. His focused expertise allows him to address signs of aging while maintaining natural facial harmony.
Dr. Maloney completed advanced fellowship training at the prestigious McCollough Plastic Surgery Center and maintains dual board certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. His commitment to surgical excellence has earned recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and numerous other professional honors. Patients throughout Atlanta and Sandy Springs trust Maloney Center for facial plastic surgery for personalized treatment plans, advanced surgical techniques, and natural-looking outcomes.
Enjoy a More Defined Neck Profile in Atlanta, GA
Whether performed alone or in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures, neck lift treatment can create lasting improvements in the definition of the neck and jawline. Maloney Center for facial plastic surgery proudly serves patients throughout Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and surrounding communities with advanced facial plastic surgery care.
To learn more about neck lift surgery and your treatment options, schedule a consultation by calling 470.207.1367.
