If you’re considering facial rejuvenation procedures, you may be wondering if you should undergo a facelift, neck lift, or both. There are several benefits to combining these aesthetic surgeries in one procedure. Dr. Abtahi and other respected plastic surgeons often recommend a dual approach for optimal aesthetic outcomes.
The benefits of combining facelift and neck lift aesthetic surgery include reduced costs, shorter recovery times, and enhanced overall facial profile. While a facelift addresses sagging cheeks and jowls, a neck lift focuses on tightening loose neck skin and muscles for a more defined, youthful look. Undergoing both procedures in one surgery can lead to proportionate facial rejuvenation results. There is more to understand about the advantages of this combined surgical approach.
What Are the Key Benefits of a Facelift?
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that aims to address signs of aging in the mid and lower face. It involves tightening and lifting the facial and neck skin, removing excess fat, and tightening underlying muscles. Key benefits include:
- Smoothing skin and reducing wrinkles and folds, especially nasal folds, marionette lines, and jowls
- Restoring a more oval, youthful facial shape
- Lifting sagging cheeks back into their original position
- Revealing a sharper jawline and chin
- Diminishing under-eye bags through fat repositioning
- Results typically lasting 5-10 years
By undergoing a facelift, patients can expect a refreshed, rejuvenated facial appearance. However, a facelift does not address all areas of concern for many patients seeking facial rejuvenation.
How Can a Neck Lift Enhance Your Profile?
A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, focuses on the neck area itself. This procedure tightens loose, sagging neck skin and pulls upper neck muscles into a more defined, enhanced profile and aesthetic position. Surgical benefits include:
- Smoothing vertical neck bands and reducing the “turkey neck” look
- Lifting and sculpting a weak, obtuse cervicomental angle
- Removing excess fatty deposits under the chin and neck for contouring
- Minimizing horizontal creases and lines for a sleek look
- Revealing a more visible jawline and chin
- Complementing non-surgical treatments like Ultherapy
- Enhancing the facelift for optimal facial profile
For patients bothered by an aging neck, a neck lift can help restore youth and balance to the lower face. Combining a neck lift with a facelift allows for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Why Combine a Facelift and Neck Lift in One Procedure?
There are several advantages to combining a facelift and neck lift in one surgical procedure when both areas show signs of aging:
Reduced Costs
By combining the surgeries, patients only pay one operating room fee, one anesthesia fee, and one recovery facility fee as applicable. This makes the approach more cost-efficient overall.
Shorter Recovery
Undergoing both procedures at once means patients only experience one postoperative recovery period versus two staggered recoveries. This allows a quicker return to normal activities and less time off work.
Enhanced Facial Profile
Addressing the mid and lower face together leads to more uniform, proportional outcomes. The entire facial profile is rebalanced for complete rejuvenation.
Optimal Rejuvenation
Surgeons can address all areas of concern in one surgery, including sagging jowls, double chins, and loose necks for comprehensive improvements.
Patient Convenience
With one surgery and recovery, patients save time and only need one set of prescriptions, appointments, arrangements for help, and more.
What Are the Cost Implications of Combining the Surgeries?
The cost of combining a facelift and neck lift in one surgical technique is generally less than the total cost of having the surgeries at separate times. Since surgical fees typically make up one portion of the overall price, which also includes fees for the facility, anesthesia, prescriptions, support garments, and more, having one surgery can add up to thousands in savings.
The exact cost reduction will depend on the fees of your particular surgeon and geographical location, as well as what is included in their surgical package. Be sure to specifically ask your provider about whether they offer a price reduction for having the procedures performed together. Some may have packages covering combined procedures. Discuss costs upfront with your plastic surgeon to understand the potential savings of a dual approach.
How Does Recovery Compare for Combined vs. Separate Procedures?
The recovery duration for a combined facelift and neck lift is similar to recovering from a facelift alone. Both procedures involve incisions around the ears, with the neck lift adding an incision under the chin. Side effects like swelling, bruising, numbness, and discomfort may be moderately increased with two procedures. However, recovery is still shorter compared to recovering from two separate surgeries spaced apart.
A combined surgery allows for recovery in one consolidated period of about 2-4 weeks for most patients. Having two separate procedures would double that duration. Combining procedures makes the postoperative phase more convenient and efficient.
How Do Combined Results Compare to Individual Procedures?
While a facelift or neck lift performed individually can produce good results on their own, combining these procedures allows for optimal results. The entire facial profile can be rebalanced, with the lower and midface receiving simultaneous rejuvenation. Rather than potentially looking over- or under-treated in some areas, the whole face integrates harmoniously.
Patients feel that combining a facelift and neck lift leads to the most aesthetically pleasing results possible in one surgery. The smoothest transition from a tight, lifted neck to a sculpted jawline to fuller cheeks can be achieved. The whole picture comes together for total facial renewal that appears natural.
What Do Surgeons Recommend for Optimal Aesthetic Outcomes?
Plastic surgeons often recommend combining a facelift and neck lift rather than staggering procedures for patients needing rejuvenation of both areas. They highlight the following benefits of a dual procedure:
- More comprehensive correction of loose skin and sagging for complete profile renewal
- The ability to better conceal incisions for minimally noticeable scarring
- Simultaneously targeting and tightening multiple layers of deeper tissue
- A shortened and simplified recovery period
- Possible cost savings from combining surgeries
Surgeon recommendations aim to help each patient achieve an overall desired aesthetic outcome efficiently, and in many instances, pairing these procedures when indicated enables significant facial rejuvenation in one transformative surgery.
What Should You Discuss with Your Surgeon Before Making a Decision?
Important discussion points with the plastic surgeon regarding the option of combining a facelift and neck lift include:
- Your specific cosmetic goals and top areas of concern
- Recommended techniques to comprehensively address your needs
- Likely outcomes and limitations of a combined approach
- Projected cost differences of a dual procedure
- Details of recovery, including activity restrictions
- Potential risks and how to minimize complications
- Credentials of the surgical facility and anesthesia team
- Reviews of the surgeon’s portfolio and patient testimonials
Ideally, you should try to have consultations with several plastic surgeons before deciding if combining procedures is the optimal way for you to achieve your anti-aging benefits and goals. Make sure the surgeon you choose has answered all of your questions and has made you feel confident and safe in their care.
Schedule Your Plano Facelift and Necklift Surgery Consultation Today
We understand that facial rejuvenation surgery is an important, personal decision with many factors to weigh. Combining a facelift and neck lift in a single procedure could restore a more uniform, youthful facial appearance for you with both cost savings and a shorter overall recovery.
To determine whether this dual approach is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Abtahi, one of the best neck lift and facelift surgeons in Plano, TX. During your consultation, he will develop a treatment plan that is uniquely suited to your aesthetic goals.
To get started on your rejuvenation journey, call us at (214) 740-2481 or reach us online today!