Certain areas of the body begin to show outwards signs of aging more prominently than others, especially the neck. Skin, muscle, and fat on the neck area age just like the rest of the body, but muscle laxity can lead to skin sagging, loose skin, and the dreaded “turkey neck” appearance that many people regularly seek to avoid or correct.
At Dr. Guy Facial Plastic Surgery in The Woodlands, Texas, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. W. Marshall Guy offers multiple services that can help you if you’re looking to combat the effects of aging around the neck. Dr. Guy offers both neck liposuction and neck lift services, depending on your specific goals and needs—but which one is right for you?
Read on to learn about each procedure, plus gain some simple tips on choosing the right plan for you based on the results you desire.
Neck Liposuction
You may be familiar with the term liposuction, a surgical procedure that can be used on several areas of the body. Its primary function is to remove unwanted, stubborn pockets of fat that won’t respond to diet and exercise. A tube is inserted through small incisions to physically remove these unwanted fat deposits.
For the neck in particular, liposuction can be an excellent way to address bands of fat below the chin, also known as the “double chin.” It’s important to note, though, that neck liposuction addresses fat itself but doesn’t necessarily do anything for skin laxity, wrinkles, or some other common signs of aging around the neck area. For this reason, it’s primarily meant for the removal of double chins and neck fat only.
Neck Lift
Unlike neck liposuction, neck lifts are meant to directly address signs of aging that appear around the neck. The skin on the neck can become loose and lax with time, leading to the turkey neck look, but a neck lift is able to reduce the appearance of these common signs of aging and help restore a youthful jawline.
A neck lift is typically an outpatient procedure and will require general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Incisions will be made behind the ear or under the chin. Through these incisions, Dr. Guy will tighten the muscles or tissues of the neck area. After this, Dr. Guy will also remove excess skin to improve the contour of the jawline. This procedure can address neck banding and jowls to create a smoother, firmer, more youthful neckline.
Combining Procedures
In some cases, combining these two procedures is the best way to achieve optimal results. Many patients choose to couple their neck procedure with another operation—commonly including facelift, rhinoplasty, or chin augmentation—as a way to achieve the most comprehensive results with a single recovery period.
What Procedures Is Right for You?
With such a range of options available, the only way to know what’s best for you is by scheduling an in-person consultation. For more information on neck liposuction or a neck lift with Dr. Guy, don’t hesitate to call (832) 956- 1040 or fill out an online form to schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Guy today.