A crepe-y neck is something nobody wants to see when they look in the mirror. Loose, hanging neck skin can make you look years older—and make you shy away from wearing necklaces and fashions that call attention to your neckline. If you've been wishing for firmer, more youthful neck, perhaps it's time to consider a neck lift.

What is a neck lift?

“A neck lift, or platysmaplasty, is cosmetic plastic surgery to correct a crepe-y, sagging neck. The platysma is the thin sheet of muscle between the collar bone and the jaw.”

Is a neck lift usually done by itself?

“No. Most times, I perform a neck lift in conjunction with a facelift. I have done a few neck lifts on their own, but the best patients for that are hard to find.”

Isn't a facelift enough to correct a sagging neck?

“A full facelift, where the incision extends behind the ear and along the hairline at the back of the neck, will certainly help improve a sagging neckline.”

What technique do you use to perform a neck lift?

“The neck lift technique I prefer is called a corset platysmaplasty. The whole idea of the procedure is to bring the neck muscles together in the middle as well as on the sides. That way, you really do get a corset look and you achieve a tighter-looking neck.”

How is a neck lift performed?

“I make a one-inch incision behind each ear and another one about an inch and a half long underneath the chin, Then, I undermine all the neck skin and take away some—but not very much—of the fat underneath the platysma muscle, if it's indicated. In some cases, I use a bit of liposuction to suction out some of the fat.

“Then I work with the platysma muscle, imbricating-that is, overlapping like shingles or tiles on a roof-from the right to the left, in an effort to make the angle of the jawline more actute and well-defined. I personally like the corset platysmaplasty because I'm not only going up and down the center, but also along the sides.

“A lot of people say they're doing a corset platysmaplasty and they're not.”

Where is a neck lift performed?

“I perform neck lifts on an outpatient basis at Mount Sinai Hospital, or a nearby surgical facility.”

How long does a neck lift take?

A simple neck lift typically takes about 60-90 minutes.

What kind of anesthesia is used for a neck lift?

“A neck lift can be done under general anesthesia, where you will be asleep for the entire procedure. Or you may choose to have the procedure done under sedation.”

How long does recovery from a neck lift take?

“You will need to wear an elastic bandage after surgery if liposuction was used in your procedure. The recovery time is about a week.”

What results can you expect from a neck lift?

“You will have a much more uplifted, youthful neck and well-defined jawline—which makes most patients feel years younger.”