What Is A Facelift and Necklift?
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a very effective procedure for the removal of loose, sagging skin on the cheeks and jawline that nonsurgical cosmetic procedures and anti-aging creams just won’t reach. Even with the introduction of other innovative cosmetic procedures, a facelift is still the anti-aging treatment of choice among patients.
A facelift helps tighten the face and neck muscles to achieve a smoother and younger appearance. A properly executed facelift provides you with a natural, younger, more youthful look. Thanks to continuous improvements in cosmetic technology, a facelift can be tailored to fit both your individual health needs and cosmetic goals.
A neck lift, is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that improves the appearance of sagging skin around the upper neck and under the chin. It also improves the skin laxity under the jawline (known as “jowls”). This unwanted look on the neck is often one of the complaints of people with a fleshy neck. Some people who have neck banding, or more commonly known as a “turkey wattle”, resort to this procedure as well.
A neck lift can consist of different procedures to be able to achieve the patient’s aesthetic goals. These procedures may include:
- Removal of excess skin
- Surgical excision of the fat to reduce excess fat in this area
- Tightening the underlying muscles in the neck and the face area
Am I a Candidate?
Over time, men and women alike may become concerned with signs of aging such as facial wrinkles and sagging. A facelift may be the right procedure for you if you’ve tried other treatments without satisfaction for the following conditions:
- Sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines around the middle or lower face
- Deep lines and creases around your mouth or below your eyes
- Hollowing of the cheeks, face, and neck areas
- Loose skin and/or excess fat deposits around the chin and jawline
- Loss of skin and muscle tone
The best way to find out if you are an ideal candidate for neck lift surgery is to meet with a skilled plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Totonchi, for a consultation. Typically, neck lift candidates should enjoy good health. Candidates should also be non-smokers, as it can hinder recovery and increase the risk of complications. Additionally, neck lift candidates have:
- Excess fat in the neck area
- Bothersome bands on the neck
- Sagging skin on the neck
- Vertical neck bands
- Realistic expectations
Benefits of a Facelift and Necklift
A facelift can turn back the clock 10-15 years, helping you look and feel more youthful. A facelift reduces the appearance of sagging skin in the face and neck, giving the face and neck a better shape and contour. A facelift reduces the appearance of jowls which creates a smoother jawline and elevates the lower and middle cheek area by tightening the skin and underlying facial muscles which also reduces the look of marionette lines around the mouth and chin.
In the presence of excess skin in the neck area and platysmal bands, Dr. Totonchi may recommend a neck lift along with submental lipectomy and platysmoplasty, which involves making incisions under your chin and in the area around the ears. At times, both areas will be incised to gain access to the platysma, a neck muscle to pull and thighten the muscle and also remove the excess skin. Excess fat also can be removed in deeper layers using this access point to further improve the neck contour.
At Totonchi Plastic Surgery, in Cleveland, Ohio, you will receive outstanding, personalized patient care supported by our premier plastic surgery team. Our team is dedicated to providing you with a positive and pleasant experience while attaining your facial aesthetic goals.
Your Initial Consultation
Dr. Totonchi will meet with you individually to discuss your aesthetic concerns. After evaluation of your facial structure and skin condition, he will discuss a facial and/or neck rejuvenation plan. He may suggest a facelift in combination with other procedures such as a neck lift, fat injections, laser, brow lift or eyelid surgery. All options and combination of procedures will be discussed to choose an individualized treatment plan to attain your facial rejuvenation goals.
Once you have decided on a treatment plan, you will be given a detailed cost estimate for the options you discussed at your consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Totonchi?
Dr. Totonchi proudly serves Cleveland and its east and west side suburbs in Westlake and Lyndhurst and welcomes patients in his hospital base and private practice offices.
Here are just some of the reasons to consider choosing him for your procedure:
- Board-certified plastic surgeon (American Board of Plastic Surgery)
- Professor at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine
- Extensive training and experience in cosmetic surgery, research in this area and being invited nationally and internationally to lecture in these topics
- Selected as one of the top plastic surgeons in the country by Newsweek
We recognize that you have many options when it comes to your cosmetic or plastic surgery needs. Your goals are extremely important; Dr. Totonchi will listen and help you understand how they can be accomplished. As a professor, Dr. Totonchi also understands the importance of education. He will take the time to help you set proper expectations, answer all of your questions and present you with the best plan possible for your procedure, giving you full confidence as you move forward with your decision.
Face and Neck Lift Technique
Dr. Totonchi uses the high SMAS technique with deep neck lift, which corrects the layer of connective tissue under the skin and on top of the muscle to lift and tighten the cheek, jawline, and neck separately. The SMAS facelift targets both sagging skin and the underlying musculature for the most lasting results.
A traditional facelift incision begins in the hairline, continues around the ear and ends in the lower scalp. All of these incisions are placed in natural folds or the hairline to conceal the scar. During a facelift, excess skin will be removed and tightened to achieve a smoother and younger facial contour.
A necklift is used in the presence of excess skin in the neck area. An incision is made under your chin in conjunction with the facelift incisions. Dr. Totonchi will access the platysma, a neck muscle, to pull and tighten the muscle while also removing the excess tissue. Excess fat also can be removed using this access point to further improve the neck contour.
Please see the animated video to make yourself familiar with his technique.
Safety Information
Facelift and necklift are surgical procedures performed under general anesthesia and therefore risks are always involved. Potential complications, while rare, include: adverse reaction to anesthesia, scarring, bleeding, infection, transient hair loss at the incision site, facial nerve injury or weakness, asymmetry, skin loss, numbness, fluid buildup, pain, and swelling.
Choosing a skilled surgeon expertly trained in facial plastic surgery, such as Dr. Totonchi, minimizes these risks. Take a moment to read reviews detailing real patient experiences with Dr. Totonchi and be sure to view his photo gallery for images.
Facelift and Necklift Recovery
Dr. Totonchi will follow you closely during your post-operative recovery. He will provide you with a detailed post-op instruction sheet and a contact number to reach our plastic surgery team with any questions you may have during your recovery. Your first post-operative appointment is generally 3-5 days after surgery, depending on the procedures performed.
Dr. Totonchi does not use bandage wraps after his face or neck lift procedures. Application of medicated ointment to all surgical incisions is started immediately after surgery. When you awake from surgery, you will have a drain bulb behind each ear to drain excess fluid, which minimizes the chance of fluid collection or seroma. The drains are generally few days after surgery. Bruising and swelling are a normal finding after a facelift procedure and can be managed by sleeping in a semi-reclined position to keep the head elevated after surgery. Patients can expect the bruising and swelling to subside a couple of weeks after the procedure. The recovery time depends greatly on the extent of the facelift and the combination of procedures selected. You will be able to appreciate the results of a facelift almost immediately.
Mild swelling may persist for few weeks, and you might not appreciate the results of your neck lift surgery yet. However, you should begin to see significant results after a week or so following surgery. These results may not last forever, as even cosmetic surgery cannot stop the effects of aging.
But in general, after face and neck lift you will look around 10 years younger even year after surgery.
Plan 2 weeks off from work and social activities for recovery. You will have exercise restrictions for 4-6 weeks after your surgery, depending on the progress or your recovery and procedures performed.
Your Face and Necklift Results
Dr. Totonchi is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in Cleveland, Ohio. He is dedicated to optimizing your surgical and personal experience and providing you with the finest results. Please view his before and after photo gallery of real patients and read reviews on RealSelf and Google. You will notice the premier service and care the moment you visit our office.
The final results from a face and neck lift appear after all swelling has subsided. After recovery, patients can expect a smooth, slim neck profile. Face and neck lift patients generally enjoy their results for years.
Proper skin care before and after a facelift procedure is essential to maintain your tight, youthful, vibrant appearance. A facelift procedure takes years off your appearance, but as you continue to age, your skin continues to stretch and loose its elasticity. Everyone ages differently; that is why there are many options to help you maintain your skin’s radiant look.
How Can I Enhance or Maintain My Results?
Dr. Totonchi suggests some type of maintenance treatment like skin care products, laser or Morpheus8 treatments every 6-12 months to the full face, to help maintain your facelift’s uplifting and radiant appearance.
Topical creams and moisturizers are another element in maintaining your youthful, radiant look. Products with Retin-A, a form of vitamin-A, are effective in treating the signs of aging such as wrinkles, dark spots, and loose skin. Retin-A helps firm and smoothen the skin by increasing the cell turnover rate, which gently exfoliates the skin and stimulates collagen formation. Moisturizing creams which are non-comedogenic should be used on the face to minimize poor blockage. Sunscreen with SPF of 50 is highly suggested to help combat the sun’s damaging UV rays.
As the signs of aging continue, products such as Botox can minimize the dynamic wrinkles you see with facial movement. Botox works well in the glabellar area and around the eyes, which we call crow’s feet. Dermal fillers or fat injection can fill in the hollows that may start to develop under the eyes, nasal labial folds or marionette lines. These products are useful for years after a facelift procedure to help keep a youthful facial appearance.
How Much Does a Facelift and Necklift Cost?
A facelift and necklift varies in cost depending on the technique used and combined procedures chosen to obtain your aesthetic goals. A cost estimate will be provided to you following your initial consultation. Generally, the price includes fees for the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility. To receive a personalized quote, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Totonchi so that he can customize a surgical plan that addresses your aesthetic concerns. Although a face and neck lift is not typically covered by medical insurance because it is an elective procedure, our office accepts financing plans through Care Credit to help make payments more manageable.
Nonsurgical Alternatives to a Facelift or Necklift
There are several nonsurgical laser and energy-based alternatives to a traditional face or necklift that focus on skin tightening, resurfacing, and rejuvenation without significant downtime. Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy to penetrate deep into the dermis and subdermal layers, stimulating collagen production, tightening the skin, and improving contours. It’s especially effective for mild to moderate skin laxity and facial contour refinement, with minimal downtime of 2–5 days. Profractional Laser, a fractional Erbium:YAG laser, creates micro-channels in the skin to trigger collagen remodeling while leaving surrounding tissue intact for faster recovery. It improves fine lines, skin texture, acne scars, and mild laxity, typically requiring 3–7 days of healing. CO2 Laser Resurfacing, uses carbon dioxide to vaporize damaged skin layers and is highly effective for deeper wrinkles, advanced photodamage, and scars, but involves a longer recovery period of 7–14 days. Finally, the UltraClear Laser is a newer fractional Er:YAG-based device offering both ablative and non-ablative treatments with minimal thermal damage, resulting in skin tightening, brightening, and resurfacing with very little downtime. Each treatment has its advantages depending on skin type, concerns, and desired recovery time.
Facial laser rejuvenation, if started early, can help keep your skin youthful and vibrant. When laser treatments aren’t enough to give you the aesthetic results you are trying to achieve, Dr. Totonchi can discuss with you other options to obtain your goals, such as fat grafting or facelift.
How old do I need to be to have a facelift and necklift?
Genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and skin care can all play significant roles in how fast signs of aging appear on your face and neck. While most facelift patients are in their fifties and sixties, it is not usual for patients to seek care sooner or later than that age range. Skin laxity is a more important factor than your age when determining your candidacy for facelift. If you are in good health and want to make cosmetic improvements to your face, schedule a consultation to confirm your candidacy.
There are no strict age restrictions for undergoing neck lift. The suitability of the procedure depends more on your health, skin quality, and the specific concerns you wish to address. Most candidates are typically between the ages of 40 and 70, but healthy individuals outside this age range may also be candidates if they have noticeable neck laxity or other concerns that a neck lift could correct.
Are facelift and necklift results permanent?
Facelift and necklift procedures cannot permanently stop the aging process. Eventually, signs of aging will resurface, though you will continue to look younger than if you had never had surgery at all, so in that sense, results last forever. When performed by an expert plastic surgeon, facelift and necklift should produce results that last over a decade, particularly if you take care of your skin (moisturize and protect from the sun) and complement your surgery with periodic minimally invasive procedures.
How is facelift different from neck lift?
Neck lift exclusively focuses on making improvements to the neck. Most of the facelift surgeries that Dr. Totonchi performs incorporate elements of neck lift since the neck is one of the first places to show signs of aging. If your lower face still looks young with minimal jowls, you may be a good candidate for neck lift rather than facelift. Dr. Totonchi can offer his professional opinion as to which procedures will best achieve your cosmetic goals during a consultation.
Can I expect natural-looking results?
We believe in natural plastic surgery results. The best facelift is one that is not causing over-pulled skin at the corners of the mouth Dr. Totonchi utilizes an approach that focuses on lifting and tightening the underlying tissue and muscles (known as the SMAS) to recreate youthful contours without making the skin appear unnatural.
Is facelift and necklift performed the same for men and women?
Unless instructed otherwise by the patient, Dr. Totonchi adjusts his approach and techniques depending on whether he is performing facelift on a man or a woman. This is necessary because the characteristics that make a male or female face attractive can be quite different. For women, Dr. Totonchi strives for smoother skin and a soft neckline. For men, Dr. Totonchi focuses on creating a jawline with sharp definition to enhance masculinity, while lines and wrinkles are less important since they do not detract from overall handsomeness. Fortunately, Dr. Totonchi has ample experience treating men and women, achieving artful, natural results for both genders.
When it comes to cosmetic improvements such as neck lifts, men and women often place importance on different aspects of their improvement. For example, men may prefer a sharper profile, while an ideal neck lift result for a woman may be a refined yet softer appearance. During your initial consultation, you will be able to share your aesthetic goals with Dr. Totonchi, who will ensure his approach to your surgery aligns with your needs.
Can I get similar results without surgery?
There are several treatment options at Totonchi Plastic Surgery that can produce beautiful results. We currently offer noninvasive, minimally invasive, and surgical. Dr. Totonchi’s patients who are interested in achieving the most dramatic results often benefit the most from surgery.
What is platysmal banding and why does it occur?
Platysmal banding refers to the visible bands that can appear on the neck as part of the aging process. These bands are caused by changes in the platysma muscle, which may begin to separate and sag with age, leading to a more pronounced appearance. Factors contributing to platysmal banding include genetics, lifestyle, and environmental influences. Fortunately, this cosmetic concern can be addressed.
What causes a “turkey neck” or wattle?
A “turkey neck” refers to the appearance of loose skin and muscle laxity in the neck, often due to aging, significant weight loss, or genetic factors. The skin and underlying muscles, like the platysma, lose elasticity and tone, resulting in sagging. Removing this loose skin with neck lift can improve your neck’s contours.
What can I do to prevent signs of aging from developing on my neck?
To prevent signs of aging on the neck, maintain a healthy skincare routine that includes moisturization and sun protection. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and consider products with antioxidants and retinoids that support skin elasticity. Regular exercise can also help maintain muscle tone. Additionally, adopting good posture and reducing repetitive movements that strain the neck can mitigate premature aging.
Neck lift exclusively focuses on making improvements to the neck. Most of the facelift surgeries that Dr. Totonchi performs incorporate elements of neck lift since the neck is one of the first places to show signs of aging. If your lower face still looks young with minimal jowls, you may be a good candidate for neck lift rather than facelift. Dr. Totonchi can offer his professional opinion as to which procedures will best achieve your cosmetic goals during a consultation.
Drain Care Form Post-Operative Facelift Form Post-Operative Necklift Form
