In Dr. Barrera’s Houston practice, we’ll often have patients come in seeking a facelift, blepharoplasty, or a brow lift to turn back the aging showing itself on their faces.

But what about just below that jawline? Sure, a facelift will usually address your jowls and jawline, but did you see the banding and extensive loose skin on your neck?

Many times, patients are so focused on their facial aging that they overlook one of the first areas to often show even more dramatic signs of aging — their neck. Your neck has two disadvantages when it comes to aging. First, it is exposed most of the time to the sun and other environmental issues. Second, it is at the mercy of gravity virtually all the time, without underlying bone to support it. The result is sagging skin and banding that can very pronounced.

A neck lift with Dr. Barrera can fix things.

What is a neck lift?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that aims to reposition the skin and the underlying support tissues of the neck to improve structural definition and tighten the skin. Neck lifts address areas including the jowls and down the neck.

Who should have a neck lift?

Neck lifts aren’t limited to either women or men. Basically, anyone who is in good physical health, but wants a tighter profile and an end to neck banding could benefit from a neck lift.

How does Dr. Barrera do a neck lift?

Neck lifts involve incisions made behind both ears to provide access to the muscles and skin of the neck. To some degree, Dr. Barrera repositions underlying fat so as not to create a gaunt look in the neck. But if there is a good deal of fat, at least some of it will be removed. Once extra fat has been removed, the muscles are repositioned and the skin is re-draped. Excess skin is trimmed and the incisions sutured.

It’s likely that we’ll use some subtle liposuction in the skin under your jawline, your jowls, as part of your neck lift. Fat tends to collect here and it pulls this skin downward creating a double chin. To gain access to these fat deposits, Dr. Barrera makes a small incision under the chin. Removing this fat creates a slimmer profile.

Your recovery

Neck lifts don’t involve a great deal of swelling. The majority of your swelling and bruising will subside in a week. Interestingly, unlike most other surgeries, patients are not to use ice packs for swelling during neck lift recovery. After one week, your sutures are removed. You’ll feel some tightness in your lower face, so you should plan on eating a soft diet for the first week or so. You can return to work and most activities in about two weeks.

When thinking of facial rejuvenation, don’t stop at your jawline. Odds are your neck could be aging even more obviously. Call Dr. Barrera at (713) 468-5200 to schedule a consultation.