Full neck lift
Addresses skin, muscle and fat together. Incisions behind the ears and, when needed, beneath the chin allow the skin to be redraped, the platysma to be repaired and excess fat to be removed.
Model Face · Neck contouring
Neck Lift
A neck lift restores the clean line between your jaw and neck. Whether the issue is loose skin, vertical bands or fullness under the chin, the plan is built on what’s actually causing it.
- SurgicalPerformed by Dr. Khan
- About an hourConsultation fees are currently waived
- Sugar Land, TXServing Greater Houston
About the procedure
A neck lift addresses the structural and surface changes that make the neck look heavy or aged: skin laxity, excess fullness beneath the chin and the vertical bands formed by the platysma muscle. Depending on your anatomy, surgery may involve redraping the skin, repairing the muscle, reducing fat or a combination of all three. The goal is a smoother transition from the face through the jawline to the neck that still suits your features.
Which technique is right depends on what’s driving the concern. Fullness under the chin with good skin may need only liposuction. Loose skin and banding need a lift and muscle repair. Dr. Khan sorts that out at consultation, and when lower-face aging is part of the picture, she may recommend treating the neck and face together.
What it addresses
- Loose or crepey neck skin
- Visible vertical platysmal bands
- Fullness beneath the chin
- A soft or poorly defined jawline
- A heavy neck contour that makes you avoid profile photos
What it doesn't do
- A neck lift does not correct aging in the cheeks or jowls on its own. When those are part of the concern, a facelift or combined approach gives a more balanced result.
- Liposuction alone does not tighten loose skin or soften bands. If laxity is present, fat removal by itself can make it more noticeable.
- It does not change the position of the chin or jaw bone. Chin augmentation can be discussed for profile balance in select cases.
The Empowered approach
How Dr. Khan approaches a neck lift
She evaluates the neck in relation to the jawline, chin and lower face, so the surgical plan is based on your full profile rather than one isolated concern. That assessment, of skin quality, fat distribution and muscle tone, determines whether the right answer is a full neck lift, a limited lift, platysmaplasty, submental liposuction or a combination.
Incisions are planned in discreet locations such as behind the ears, within natural creases or beneath the chin, and the procedure is designed to support the contour while preserving comfortable movement. Over-tightening is avoided on purpose; a neck that looks pulled gives surgery away as surely as one that was never treated.
Who it may suit
You may be a candidate if…
- You have loose neck skin, visible bands or under-chin fullness that no longer responds to skincare, injectables or device treatments.
- You are in good general health and do not smoke, or are willing to stop before and after surgery.
- Your weight is stable, since significant weight change after surgery can affect the result.
- You want a natural, well-defined neck rather than an over-tightened one.
- Dr. Khan confirms candidacy in person after examining skin quality, fat distribution and muscle tone.
Candidacy is confirmed at your consultation, after an examination and a review of your medical history.
Model What to expect
- 01
Consultation
About an hour with Dr. Khan to examine the neck and jawline, identify whether skin, fat, muscle or all three are involved, review technique options and discuss whether a facelift or other procedures belong in the plan.
- 02
Your plan
A written plan covering the technique, incision placement, anesthesia planning and pre-operative instructions, including arranging a ride home and help for the first days. Pricing is reviewed with your plan.
- 03
Surgery day
Through incisions behind the ears and, when needed, under the chin, Dr. Khan removes excess fat, repairs the platysma, redrapes the skin and closes in layers. A light dressing or supportive garment may be applied.
- 04
Recovery and follow-up
Expect swelling, bruising and limited neck movement early on. Dr. Khan follows your healing at scheduled visits, and established surgical patients have a direct way to reach her after hours.
Recovery
Healing takes time, and it varies.
Most patients need meaningful rest during the first one to two weeks, with swelling, bruising and some tightness when turning the head. Keeping your head raised and avoiding bending or straining helps. Light work may be realistic within a few weeks for some patients, depending on the extent of surgery.
Exercise and strenuous activity resume only after Dr. Khan clears them. Scars fade gradually over the following months, and the final contour keeps improving as swelling resolves and tissues settle.
Risks and limitations
What you should know before deciding.
Every surgery carries risk. These are the ones most relevant to this procedure; Dr. Khan reviews your personal risk profile and the alternatives with you before anything is scheduled.
- Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin) in the early period
- Infection or delayed wound healing, more likely in smokers
- Numbness or altered sensation in the neck and around the ears, usually temporary
- Temporary weakness of the muscle that moves the lower lip, from nerve irritation
- Visible or widened scars, or contour irregularities under the chin
- Asymmetry, residual banding or recurrence of some laxity with time and weight change
- Reactions to anesthesia
Before & after
Neck Lift before & after.
Dr. Khan's own patients, photographed with consent and shown without retouching.
Individual results vary. Photos are shared with patient consent.
FAQ
Neck Lift questions
Every answer here is general information. Your own plan, risks and recovery are discussed in person at your consultation.
Do I need a neck lift, or would neck liposuction be enough?
Neck liposuction removes fat under the chin but doesn’t tighten loose skin or soften platysmal bands. It can be a good fit when you have isolated fullness and skin that still has good elasticity. A neck lift addresses laxity, banding and contour changes that liposuction alone can’t correct, and the two are often combined when both fullness and loose skin are present. The examination at consultation is what tells us which one applies to you.
Where are the incisions for a neck lift?
They’re planned in discreet locations: typically around and behind the ears, and sometimes in the crease beneath the chin when muscle repair or fat removal is needed. Scar visibility varies with your anatomy, skin, healing and the extent of surgery. Dr. Khan shows you exactly where incisions would sit at your consultation and explains how they are expected to mature.
How long does neck lift recovery take?
Plan on significant rest for the first one to two weeks, when swelling, bruising and limited neck movement are expected. Some patients can manage light work within a few weeks, while exercise and strenuous activity wait for Dr. Khan’s clearance. The final contour continues to improve over the following months as swelling resolves.
How long do neck lift results last?
Results can last for many years, but longevity varies with skin quality, genetics, weight stability, sun exposure, smoking history and the type of procedure performed. A full neck lift with muscle repair tends to hold up longer than a limited procedure because it addresses the deeper structure. Aging continues after surgery, so some laxity can develop again over time.
Should a neck lift be combined with a facelift?
Often, when lower-face and neck changes are connected. Jowls and neck laxity usually develop together, and treating only the neck can leave the face looking out of step. Liposuction or Renuvion may be added for fullness or mild laxity, and for patients not ready for surgery, nonsurgical options such as Botox for bands can be discussed. Dr. Khan reviews your anatomy and goals before recommending a plan.
Related reading
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- Planning Your Recovery: A Practical Timeline for Surgical PatientsHow to plan time off, help at home, compression garments, staged activity, months of swelling and scar maturation, and when to call after surgery.
Request a consultation
Talk through neck lift with Dr. Khan.
Consultation fees are currently waived. Plan on about an hour with Dr. Khan, in person in Sugar Land or virtually, to talk through goals, candidacy and the approach that fits you.
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Call (281) 716-3224 · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sugar Land, Texas · Virtual consultations available