Neck Lift in Cincinnati
Serving Cincinnati, Ohio & the Tri-State Region- Can be performed with or without a deep plane facelift, depending on the patient
- Dr. Harmon utilizes advances in the neck lift procedure pioneered by his fellowship director and mentor, Dr. Andrew Jacono (1).
- Incisions are tucked discreetly around the ear and under the chin
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What is a Neck Lift
A neck lift is a surgical procedure where a small incision is made under the chin, loose skin is lifted over a portion of the neck, and loose platysma muscle is released from some of its deep attachments and tightened over at the center of the neck (1). This deeper, structural work on the central neck can be distinguished from alternative approaches that usually either:
- Liposuction the neck only, which can worsen its appearance by exposing the underlying structural aging problems of the neck.
- Superficial suturing of the platysma muscle in the neck without releasing and lifting it, which can be inherently less stable and less anatomical.
The platysma is a thin muscle located beneath the skin and fatty tissue of the neck. It extends across the central and lateral neck, but is weakest in the center. As the platysma becomes weaker and looser with age, bands can develop in the center of the neck, which can blunt the natural angle between the jawline and neck.
During the neck lift, excess skin is lifted laterally around the ears and removed. If a neck lift is performed with a deep plane facelift, the excess skin is removed through the facelift incision. If a neck lift is performed alone, a more limited incision is made around the ears and hairline. Excess fat can be removed through a neck lift incision. Large and/or droopy salivary glands can be reduced in size through a neck lift incision.
What Conditions Does the Procedure Address?
The goal of a neck lift procedure is to improve the contours of the neck that are lost with age. The age-related changes to the neck can occur in multiple layers with multiple tissue types. The conditions a neck lift helps address include:
Before & After
Explore our galleries to see the stunning, natural results delivered by one of the best neck lift surgeons in Cincinnati, Dr. Harmon.
Why Choose Dr. Harmon
The desire for youthfulness is understandable. There is no area more important than the face. After all, the face cannot be hidden. It is how we present ourselves to the world. Dr. Harmon works with a refined eye and trained hands to develop a personalized treatment plan with you, utilizing advanced techniques in surgical and non-surgical care of the face, nose, eyes, neck and hair.
Fellowship trained facial plastic surgeons have a unique specialized skill set in performing surgical and non-surgical procedures on the face, nose, eyes, neck and hair. The pathway to becoming a facial plastic surgeon begins with five years of rigorous training in head and neck surgery. This training is focused on all aspects of surgery for the head and neck, in addition to aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.
A small pool of top performing graduates from head and neck surgery programs are then selected to complete sub-specialty training as a fellow in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).
Dr. Harmon completed his fellowship in facial plastic surgery through the AAFPRS with the world-renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono on Park Avenue in New York City. Dr. Jacono is world renowned for developing the extended deep plane facelift technique. Dr. Harmon is one of the few surgeons in the world, and the only surgeon in the Cincinnati area, fellowship trained in this technique by Dr. Jacono.
Quad A Accredited Surgery Suite
Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is proud to have a Quad A accredited operating room and facility in our office. Our single-physician, single-specialty facility meets or exceeds the strict guidelines and high standards set forth by Quad A, demonstrating our strong commitment to patient safety and excellence in surgical care. We utilize the services of board-certified anesthesiology physicians only as well as our own personal clinical support staff to ensure the most comfortable, safest experience for our clients.
Out-of-Town Patients
This level of care draws patients from across the Tri-State region, including Cincinnati, Ohio, Northern Kentucky, Indiana, and surrounding communities. Our team coordinates every consultation, procedure, and follow-up appointment for those traveling from outside the local area, so the distance is the only hard part.
Overview of the Procedure
The team at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery works tirelessly to prepare patients well for their procedure. The time spent with patients and resources provided facilitates a smooth transition from the procedure through recovery. The following overview is a broad summary of the information provided to patients:
Procedure Consultation
Expect a detailed, informative discussion with Dr. Harmon about your concerns and aesthetic goals. He will develop a personalized treatment plan to address these concerns and goals.
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Patients receive a packet with detailed pre-operative instructions prior to surgery. This packet includes information on what supplements and medications to hold prior to surgery, activity restrictions, and what supplies are necessary for post-operative recovery. Prescriptions are sent prior to surgery with instructions on their use. Finally, if medical clearance is required, a form detailing the necessary clearance and testing is provided to present to their primary care provider.
Day of Treatment
Patients are instructed to arrive at the office in comfortable clothes. The surgical plan is discussed with the patient in detail. Paperwork is completed. Photos are usually taken pre-operatively. Finally, the patient meets the surgical team, which may include nurses, anesthesiologists, and/or scrub technologists, depending on the procedure(s) and type of anesthesia used. A loose-fitted dressing is applied and small drains are placed in the neck during surgery.
Follow-Up Appointment
Patients follow up one (1) day after surgery to remove the dressing. The drains may also be removed one (1) day after surgery, depending on the drain output. Patients may follow up on day two (2) after surgery as well. Subsequent follow up appointments are approximately five (5), seven (7), and ten (10) days after surgery to remove sutures.
Social Readiness
The exact time in which patients feel ready to socialize depends on multiple factors, including their comfort with the visibility of incisions, bruises, and swelling. Makeup can be applied to the neck approximately ten (10) days after surgery. While they are still healing, most patients feel ready to socialize approximately fourteen (14) days after surgery.
Ideal Candidates for a Neck Lift
Ideal candidates for a neck lift include those patients who demonstrate:
- Loose skin and muscle in the neck
- A blunted angle between the jawline and the neck
Most candidates range in age from forties (40s) to seventies (70s). A consultation is essential to determine candidacy for the procedure, because there may be factors that preclude this procedure for certain individuals. A consultation will help establish reasonable expectations about what a neck lift can and cannot accomplish as well as any anatomic and/or physiological factors that may influence your results. As with all facial plastic surgery procedures, results can vary.
What to Expect from Recovery
Recovery from a neck lift is specific to the individual. The duration of recovery will vary from person to person. The initial recovery time from a neck lift procedure is approximately 10 to 14 days for most individuals.
Dressings are removed the day after surgery. Sutures (stitches) are removed in a staged, progressive manner over the next 7 to 10 days after surgery. Makeup can usually be applied to the healing incision sites starting approximately 10 days after surgery. The healing process does not end at 14 days, however. For example, the incision continues to heal for months after surgery. Dr. Harmon has an incision care plan for his patients that extends for months after surgery and is intended to maximize healing. A laser resurfacing procedure can also be performed on the incisions starting a few weeks after surgery with an intention to accelerate the healing process.
Some swelling and bruising are expected after a neck lift. Post-operative swelling and bruising generally improve significantly by 10 to 14 days after surgery. Swelling and bruising are expected to continue to improve and resolve in the ensuing days and weeks.
Sutures are removed in stages
Swelling and bruising are improved
Initial recovery
Makeup can be applied to incisions
Frequently Asked Questions
Written by Dr. Harmon
Discover the expertise and compassionate care of Dr. Jeff Harmon, a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon deeply rooted in the Cincinnati community. A former collegiate athlete and Cornell University graduate, Dr. Harmon brings discipline, precision, and a global perspective to his surgical practice—refined through elite fellowship training in New York City.
Located in Hyde Park, Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery proudly serves patients throughout the Cincinnati area offering personalized facial aesthetics with world-class skill and a hometown heart.