Neck Lift
Newport Beach, CA
A softer jawline, loose skin under the chin, or visible neck bands can affect your appearance, even if your other features still feel like you. A neck lift is a surgery that removes extra skin, fat, and deeper tissue that can make the neck look older or less defined. In Newport Beach, Dr. John Compoginis uses a personalized approach to neck lift surgery, aiming for a smoother jawline and neck that look natural and fit well with your facial features.
Surgical facial rejuvenation
Loose skin, neck bands, fullness beneath the chin, reduced jawline definition
Often about two to three hours, depending on the surgical plan
Most patients need around two to three weeks before feeling comfortably presentable
Gradually become clearer as swelling resolves over the following weeks and months
A neck lift improves the shape of your neck and jawline by addressing changes caused by aging, weight changes, genetics, or a mix of these factors. Depending on your needs, the surgery may remove extra skin, reduce fat in certain areas, and tighten or move deeper tissue. The platysma is a thin muscle that runs across the neck and can become more noticeable with age as its edges loosen or separate. If you have visible neck bands, Dr. Compoginis can treat this deeper layer during surgery, not just tighten the skin on top.
Neck lift surgery can address several changes that affect the contour between the lower face and chest, including:
A neck lift mainly improves the shape of your neck and tightens loose tissue. Fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and other signs of aging might need different treatments. Dr. Compoginis looks at your overall needs instead of assuming surgery is always the best option.
The specific technique depends on what is causing the changes in your neck. Incisions are usually made around or behind the ears and sometimes under the chin, so Dr. Compoginis can reach the tissue while keeping scars hidden. Through these incisions, he can tighten or move the platysma, remove extra skin, and reshape your neck for a smoother look.
Liposuction can be added if extra fat under the chin is making the area look fuller. If your skin is still firm and your muscles are tight, liposuction alone might fix a double chin. If you also have loose skin or deeper tissue changes, a neck lift usually gives a more complete result.
A neck lift targets the neck and jawline, while a facelift treats aging in more of the lower face, like the jowls and sagging facial tissue. Some people have a firm lower face but loose skin on the neck and only need the neck treated. Others have changes that go from the cheeks and jawline down into the neck.
Since these areas are closely linked, the best option depends on where your aging changes start. At your consultation, Dr. Compoginis will look at your lower face and neck together and explain if a neck lift, facelift, or both would work best for your needs and goals.
You might want to consider a neck lift if loose skin, visible muscle bands, or fullness under your chin are changing the shape of your neck and jawline. Most people are healthy enough for surgery, have realistic expectations, and know that recovery takes a few weeks, even though results keep improving after that.
Your anatomy is just as important as your age. Dr. Compoginis checks your skin’s firmness, where fat is located, the condition of the platysma muscle, the shape of your jawline, and if your lower face shows signs of aging. These details help him choose the technique that will look most natural for you.
Nonsurgical treatments can help if your changes are mild or if you mainly want to improve skin quality. These treatments can make your skin firmer or smoother, but they cannot remove a lot of extra skin or move deeper neck tissue like surgery can.
The same idea applies to liposuction. If your double chin is mostly from fat and your skin is still firm, liposuction alone might be enough. But if you also have loose skin or visible muscle bands, just removing fat may not solve the main issue.
Swelling, bruising, tightness, and some discomfort are normal in the first stages of healing. Most people need to take time off work and social events while these symptoms go down. Bruising and swelling usually get much better in the first two weeks, and many patients feel ready for light activities and social outings after two to three weeks.
You should wait to do strenuous exercise or heavy activities until Dr. Compoginis says it is safe. Follow-up visits let him and his team check your healing, look at your incisions, and help you through each step of recovery. Everyone heals differently, so your recovery time may be longer or shorter depending on your surgery and if you had other procedures done too.
You will likely see your neck’s shape improve soon after surgery, but swelling can hide some of the results at first. Your neck contour will keep getting better over the next few weeks and months as the tissue heals and settles.
The goal is to give you a smoother neck, a more defined jawline, and a refreshed look that matches your face. Neck lift results can last a long time, but aging will still happen. Keeping a steady weight and healthy habits can help your results last longer.
Like any surgery, a neck lift has some risks. These may include bleeding, infection, reactions to anesthesia, changes in sensation (temporary or lasting), slow healing, visible scars, uneven results, and rare nerve problems. Swelling, bruising, and tightness are common during normal recovery. Dr. Compoginis will go over the risks that apply to your health and surgery plan before you decide to move forward. You will also get instructions on how to prepare for surgery and care for the area afterward, so you know what to expect during healing.
There is no set price for a neck lift because the procedure can be very different for each person. The cost depends on how much correction you need, the technique Dr. Compoginis suggests, if liposuction is included, and if your neck lift is done with another facial surgery. After Dr. Compoginis examines your face and neck and talks with you about your goals, he can make a personalized surgery plan. The office can then give you a more accurate cost estimate based on that plan.
Dr. John Compoginis is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He has training in both general surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery. This background gives him a strong understanding of facial anatomy and the artistic sense needed to create results that look balanced with your face.
He focuses on proportion, not just making the neck tighter. Each person has a unique balance between the chin, jawline, lower face, skin, fat, and deeper tissues. Dr. Compoginis takes all of this into account when planning your surgery, so your neck looks natural and fits with your features. The goal is a subtle, natural result that keeps your individual look.
If you are unsure whether your concerns are from loose skin, extra fat, muscle laxity, or aging in the lower face, you do not have to figure it out alone. At your consultation, Dr. Compoginis will look at your face and neck together and explain his findings.
You can talk about whether a neck lift is right for you, if another option might work better, where incisions would be placed, what recovery might look like, and what results are realistic for your anatomy. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Compoginis in Newport Beach to get started.
A standard neck lift often takes about two to three hours, although the exact time varies based on the technique and whether liposuction, facelift surgery, or another procedure is performed at the same time.
Neck lift incisions are usually placed around or behind the ears and may also include a small incision beneath the chin. Placement varies depending on the amount of excess skin, fat, and deeper tissue that needs to be addressed.
Many patients plan for about two weeks away from work, although two to three weeks may be more comfortable if you want additional time for swelling and bruising to settle. Your job, healing progress, and extent of surgery can all affect the timeline.
A neck lift can improve a double chin when loose skin, excess fat, or both are contributing to the fullness. Liposuction is often used when fat needs to be removed. If fat is the only concern and your skin has good elasticity, liposuction alone may sometimes be enough.
Neck lift results can last for many years, but surgery does not stop aging. Skin and deeper tissues will continue to change gradually over time. Maintaining a stable weight can also help preserve the shape achieved through surgery.
A neck lift focuses on the neck and jawline. A facelift addresses more of the lower face, including jowls and descended facial tissue. Dr. Compoginis may recommend one procedure or a combination depending on where your aging changes are most noticeable.
Mon- Fri: 9am - 5:00pm
