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Facelift and Neck Lift: Why Combine These Procedures?

Dr. David Abramson

A combined facelift and neck lift procedure is designed to revitalize one’s appearance by removing excess skin, repositioning underlying tissue and fascia, and redraping the skin. (1)

As we age, visible changes in the face and neck can leave us feeling less confident about how we look. Environmental factors, genetics, and lifestyle habits can all compound these issues, contributing to sagging skin, volume loss, and deep wrinkles.

Board-certified plastic surgeon and New York native Dr. David L. Abramson offers state-of-the-art facelift and neck lift procedures designed to help you look as vibrant as you feel. Dr. Abramson was recognized in 2024 and 2025 as New Jersey’s Top Doctor; he’s known for his blending of surgical precision with an artistic eye to achieve refined, natural-looking results. If you are considering facial rejuvenation, Dr. Abramson’s expertise can deliver your ideal results.

To explore your facelift and neck lift options, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Abramson by contacting us online or calling one of our three locations across New York City and New Jersey:

About Facelift and Neck Lift

Facelifts and neck lifts are among the most sought-after aesthetic surgeries in the United States. (2) Dr. Abramson has refined his facelift and neck lift techniques over decades, delivering results that are elegant, balanced, and customized to each patient’s anatomy. These procedures can address the most common signs of aging, including sagging skin and deep creases, to help patients achieve a more youthful, balanced, and harmonious facial profile.

Facelift and Neck Lift with SMAS Technique

Dr. Abramson’s facelift procedures address sagging skin, deep creases, and lost facial volume in the mid-to-lower face and neck. During a traditional facelift, Dr. Abramson uses the SMAS technique to lift and reposition the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, the supportive tissue layer beneath the skin, to restore the lower face and neck definition. By tightening the underlying facial muscles, removing excess skin, and re-draping the remaining tissue, Dr. Abramson restores natural-looking contours that portray a more youthful and refreshed appearance. His approach emphasizes subtle, refined results, avoiding the overdone or “pulled” look. (3) He will also address excess neck skin and fat (stubborn fat can be removed with chin liposuction), as well as tighten the platysma (neck) muscle if necessary to restore a smoother neck contour. (4)

Deep Plane Facelift and Neck Lift

The deep plane facelift and neck lift builds upon the traditional SMAS facelift by repositioning not just the skin and SMAS, but also the deeper facial structures, including muscles, ligaments, and fat pads, as a single unit. This advanced technique allows for more thorough rejuvenation of the cheeks, jawline, and neck. By releasing and lifting the foundational tissues as a single unit, this procedure restores youthful volume and contour with results that are both natural-looking and long-lasting. This technique’s comprehensive approach offers exceptional stability and durability, making it one of the most effective options for facial and neck rejuvenation.

The Power of Combination

The facelift and neck lift are often combined because of how these two structures are a part of a larger unit, the facial region. This unit of the body ages together, and as such, when seeking to revitalize such an important area of the body, it is vital to perform these procedures together if patients wish to achieve a more youthful appearance. (4)

With over three decades of surgical expertise and a background in craniofacial and reconstructive plastic surgery from Harvard, Dr. Abramson customizes each surgery to fit the patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals, delivering personalized care that sets his practice apart.

Ideal Candidates

Multiple factors will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a facelift and neck lift. This procedure is typically well-suited for individuals who:

  • Would like to address sagging skin affecting the face and/or neck
  • Have developed jowls or loss of jawline definition
  • Notice deep creases along the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds)
  • Struggle with loose neck skin or prominent vertical neck bands
  • Are in good overall health
  • Are non-smokers or are willing to quit before surgery and throughout recovery

Personal Consultation

Your journey toward a rejuvenated look begins with a personal consultation. During this appointment, Dr. Abramson will take the time to carefully review your medical history and listen to your aesthetic goals. He will conduct an assessment of your face and neck, considering factors like skin quality, laxity, muscle banding, and fat deposits. After thoroughly evaluating your goals and features, Dr. Abramson will design a personalized treatment plan customized to your individual needs.

Schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Abramson either online or by calling one of our three locations:

Preparation

To maximize the safety and success of your facelift and neck lift, Dr. Abramson and his staff will provide you with detailed preoperative instructions. These may include:

  • Temporarily discontinuing medications and/or supplements that can thin the blood
  • Discontinuing smoking and nicotine use well in advance
  • Ceasing alcohol consumption before surgery
  • Arranging for transportation and post-operative assistance at home
  • Maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated

Following these guidelines will help ensure a smoother surgical experience and optimal healing.

Recovery

Following your facelift and neck lift, you can expect some swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness in the treated areas. These effects are a normal part of the healing process and will gradually diminish over time. Dr. Abramson will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to guide you through your recovery. These instructions will include tips on how to care for your incisions, recommended sleeping positions to minimize swelling, and advice on resuming normal activities.

Most patients find that they can return to work and light daily activities within ten to fourteen days, although the timeline may vary based on the individual’s healing response and the extent of the procedure. During the initial days and weeks after your procedure, Dr. Abramson will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and ensure that you are healing as expected. As any swelling subsides and the tissues settle, you can enjoy the full benefits of your treatment.

Results

The results of your facelift and neck lift will gradually become apparent as residual swelling resolves and the skin fully conforms to its new, youthful contours. Patients typically enjoy a tighter, more defined jawline, smoother skin texture, and a revitalized neck profile. These improvements not only enhance physical appearance but often lead to a significant boost in self-confidence and overall well-being.

A facelift and neck lift performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Abramson can help you maintain a refreshed, vibrant appearance for a decade or longer. Over time, incision lines will fade, becoming barely noticeable as they blend seamlessly into the natural creases of your skin.

Corresponding Procedures

For a fully rejuvenated look, many of Dr. Abramson’s patients choose to combine their facelift and neck lift with additional treatments, such as:

  • Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): This procedure removes excess tissue from the upper and/or lower eyelids to create an awake, more youthful-looking appearance.
  • Brow lift: A brow lift addresses sagging brows and removes excess skin to rejuvenate the appearance of your upper face.
  • Dermal fillers: These specialized injectables add volume to your skin and can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Fat Transfer: For patients seeking an increase in facial volume, a fat transfer can be performed by harvesting fat from another area of the body and repurposing it to this region for a more youthful look.
  • TCA Peel: For patients who want to further diminish peri-orbital and peri-oral wrinkles.
  • Chin implant: To address a “weak chin” and improve facial symmetry.

Dr. Abramson and his team will discuss the most effective treatment options for your aesthetic goals during your consultation.

Cost of Facelift and Neck Lift in New York and New Jersey

The cost of a facelift and neck lift varies depending on several factors, including the extent of your procedure and whether or not you will need additional treatments. Dr. Abramson and his staff will provide a detailed, personalized quote during your consultation. Financing options are available to help make this transformative treatment more accessible.

To schedule your personal consultation and begin planning your procedure, fill out our online contact form or call one of our three locations:

FAQ

Will there be visible scarring from a facelift and necklift?

Dr. Abramson carefully places incisions along the natural contours of your skin and face to minimize the visibility of scars.

How long do facelift and neck lift results last?

If you take good care of your skin, you can enjoy results for 10 years or longer. Patient experiences may vary.

Is there a non-surgical alternative to a facelift and/or neck lift?

Non-surgical treatments like fillers and skin tightening devices are available, but are not capable of achieving the same long-lasting, impactful results as surgery.

At what age should I consider a facelift and neck lift?

There is no specific age one should consider a facelift and neck lift—candidacy is determined by the patient’s aesthetic goals, anatomy, medical history, and more.

References

  1. Park DM. Total Facelift: Forehead Lift, Midface Lift, and Neck Lift. Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2015;42(2):111. doi:https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2015.42.2.111
  2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Published 2022. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/plastic-surgery-statistics
  3. Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/
  4. Alexander L, Patel BC. Platysmaplasty Facelift. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563291/