If you’re bothered by jowling, loose skin along your jawline, or fullness under your chin that no amount of diet or skincare seems to fix, a facelift and neck lift can offer some of the most powerful facial rejuvenation available today. These procedures target the structural causes of facial aging—not just the skin—so your results look natural and last for years.
At Ablavsky Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, I perform advanced deep plane facelift and neck lift techniques designed to sculpt the jawline, refine the neck, and restore a youthful contour, without making you look pulled, tight, or overdone.
What Do a Facelift & Neck Lift Improve?
Facelift and neck lift surgery focuses on lifting and repositioning the deeper tissues, then gently redraping the skin for a smooth, natural result. These procedures are especially helpful if you’re concerned about:
- Sagging jowls
- Skin laxity along the lower face and neck
- Platysmal banding (vertical “cords” in the neck)
- Excess neck fat or a “full” central neck
- Poor jawline definition
- Deep wrinkles and folds, such as marionette lines
By addressing the face and neck together, I can create a more harmonious and balanced result, allowing your midface and jawline to blend seamlessly into the neck.
Facelift & Neck Lift Incision Options
One of the most common questions patients ask me is, “Where will my scars be?” I carefully plan your incision placement so that the scars are well hidden within natural creases and hairlines whenever possible.
1. Preauricular Incision (In Front of the Ear)
This incision follows the natural curves and creases in front of the ear.
Purpose:
- Provides access to the SMAS/deep plane layer
- Allows repositioning of sagging jowls and lower facial tissues
- Hides well in the natural contours of the face
2. Retroauricular Incision (Behind the Ear)
This incision curves behind the ear and may extend slightly into the hairline.
Purpose:
- Allows redraping of excess neck skin
- Provides access to tighten the platysma muscle from behind
- Offers excellent scar concealment within the hair and behind the ear
3. Submental Incision (Under the Chin)
A small, discreet incision is placed in the natural crease beneath the chin.
Purpose:
- Access for platysmaplasty (tightening the central neck muscles)
- Removal of deep central neck fat
- Exposure of deeper neck structures when more dramatic contouring is needed
These incisions work together to give me the access I need to refine the face and neck, while keeping scars as discreet as possible.
Advanced Facelift & Neck Lift Techniques
I specialize in advanced, structural approaches that focus on repositioning the deeper layers of the face and neck, not just tightening the skin.
Deep Plane Facelift / Deep Plane Neck Lift
The deep plane approach elevates and repositions the tissues beneath the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layer.
Benefits include:
- Longer-lasting, natural results
- Superior improvement of the midface and jowls
- Less tension on the skin, which typically leads to better, softer scarring
Rather than pulling the skin tight, the deep plane facelift moves the underlying support structures, allowing the skin to lie smoothly and naturally.
Neck Contouring & Fat Removal
For patients with fullness under the chin or along the jawline, targeted fat removal can further refine the neck and profile.
- Fat can be precisely removed from superficial or deep planes
- Enhances definition of the jawline and neck angle
- Can be combined with tightening of deeper structures for a sharper, more elegant contour
Submandibular Gland Reduction
In carefully selected patients, a prominent submandibular gland (a salivary gland beneath the jawline) can contribute to neck fullness.
- Partial reduction of this gland can significantly improve the neck contour
- Performed with great care to preserve function and achieve a smoother, more refined profile
Platysmaplasty
The platysma is the thin, sheet-like muscle that runs from the lower face down the neck. With age, it can separate and form visible vertical bands.
- A platysmaplasty tightens and sutures the platysma muscles
- Helps eliminate banding, refine the neckline, and support long-term results
- Often performed through the submental incision for precise control
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Facelift and Neck Lift?
You may be an ideal candidate for a facelift and neck lift if you have:
- Jowling or significant lower facial laxity
- Excess neck skin or a poorly defined neckline
- Platysmal banding or visible neck cords
- A heavy, full central neck that doesn’t match the rest of your facial features
- A desire for natural, long-lasting facial rejuvenation
- Good overall health and realistic expectations
During your consultation, I will evaluate your facial structure, skin quality, and goals to determine whether a deep plane facelift, neck lift, or combination procedure is right for you.
Facelift & Neck Lift Recovery: Timeline & Expectations
Recovery after a deep plane facelift and neck lift is a process, and knowing what to expect can make the experience much more comfortable and reassuring.
Day 1:
- Mild swelling and bruising are expected.
- A compression garment is typically in place to support the tissues.
- Rest and head elevation are recommended.
Week 1:
- Bruising and swelling often peak early and then begin to improve.
- Sutures are removed at various points during this week, depending on placement.
Week 2:
- Most bruising has resolved.
- Many patients feel comfortable returning to light public activities or remote work.
1 Month:
- Swelling has decreased significantly.
- Early refinement of the jawline and neck is visible.
3 Months:
- The majority of swelling has resolved.
- Results look natural, defined, and well integrated with the rest of your features.
6 to 12 Months:
- Final contours continue to mature.
- Scars fade and soften over time, becoming increasingly inconspicuous.
Before & After: Long-Term Results
It’s important to remember that you won’t see your final result immediately, as initial swelling can temporarily obscure your new contours.
- Swelling is most noticeable in the first 1 to 2 weeks, then steadily improves.
- Results appear progressively more natural as tissues heal and soften.
- Deep plane facelift results typically last 10 to 15+ years, depending on genetics, lifestyle, and skin quality.
- Neck definition improves significantly as swelling subsides, revealing a more sculpted, youthful profile.
Complementary Procedures
For comprehensive facial rejuvenation, a facelift and neck lift can be combined with other treatments to address the eyes, skin, and volume loss:
- Fat grafting to add smooth, natural volume to the midface, temples, jawline, or lips
- Upper and lower blepharoplasty to refresh the eyes
- CO₂ laser resurfacing to improve fine lines and skin texture
- Brow lift to elevate a heavy brow and open the upper face
- Chin liposuction for targeted contouring under the chin
I will help you determine which, if any, combined procedures are suitable for your anatomy and goals.
Risks & Safety
All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk, though complications are minimized in the hands of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Potential risks include:
- Hematoma (collection of blood under the skin)
- Nerve bruising or temporary facial weakness
- Irregular scarring
- Skin flap healing issues
- Prolonged swelling
- Deep vein thrombosis (rare)
I take a meticulous, safety-first approach to minimize these risks, thoroughly reviewing your medical history and customizing your surgical plan.
Cost & Financing
The cost of a facelift or neck lift in San Antonio varies based on several factors, including:
- The extent of correction needed
- Whether a deep plane vs. SMAS vs. limited-incision approach is used
- Whether a neck lift or submandibular gland reduction is included
- Any additional combined procedures, such as eyelid surgery or fat grafting
Most patients find that a comprehensive facial rejuvenation plan provides the best long-term value, as it addresses multiple concerns in a single, coordinated plan. Financing options are available to help make your surgery more affordable and manageable over time.
Why Choose Ablavsky Plastic Surgery for Facelift & Neck Lift in San Antonio?
Your face is your identity, so choosing the right surgeon is crucial. At Ablavsky Plastic Surgery, you benefit from:
- A board-certified plastic surgeon with specialized training in facial rejuvenation
- Expertise in deep plane facelift techniques and precision neck contouring
- A focus on natural, elegant, and long-lasting results
- Personalized surgical planning and advanced postoperative care
- A practice that integrates surgical and nonsurgical treatments for comprehensive, ongoing facial rejuvenation
Ready To Redefine Your Jawline and Neck?
If you’re noticing sagging jowls, loose neck skin, or a soft jawline that doesn’t reflect how youthful you feel, a deep plane facelift and neck lift could be the right next step.
To learn more about your options, request a consultation using the online form or call Ablavsky Plastic Surgery at (210) 942-6672 to get started.
Leave a Reply