Information about non-surgical neck lift procedures in New York, NY with top cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono.
What Is Turkey Neck?
Dr. Jacono was featured in Esquire magazine to discuss the use of Kybella for treating what is known as “turkey neck.”
A turkey neck is loose, wrinkled, sagging neck skin. It is almost always an undesirable effect of aging. It usually occurs as the neck muscles gradually weaken and lose their natural elasticity. This loose skin becomes droopy, drawing unflattering attention and comparisons to the neck of a turkey.
The good news is that although turkey neck is an unavoidable part of aging, cosmetic doctors can treat it with various techniques.
“Turkey neck is very common among people in middle age,” says Dr. Jacono. “Unfortunately, it causes a lot of self-consciousness, and people look for a way to reverse it. Luckily, there are two unique ways to do this. First, patients can opt for surgery, particularly a neck lift. This procedure tightens muscles and gets rid of excess fat in the neck. Second, patients can undergo non-invasive injections like Kybella, which permanently eliminates neck fat.”
There are many advantages and disadvantages of surgical and nonsurgical neck lift procedures. See a few outlined below.
Surgical Neck lift
The surgical neck lift is a medical procedure that tightens neck skin, eliminates banding, and removes fat deposits below the chin. It creates a youthful definition without excessively tightening problem areas. The technique is often combined with a lower facelift to correct jowls, though not all neck lifts are paired with another procedure.
“The neck lift is an incredibly useful procedure that reverses neck aging,” says Dr. Jacono. “It makes my patients look decades younger, even though it’s a very specific part of the head. My neck lift also differs from the standard in that it targets deeper tissues. I surgically manipulate the area beneath the platysma muscle and slide it into a more desirable position.”
As with any surgical procedure, the neck lift involves incisions and deep structural work within the face. After, there may be swelling, bruising, and other minor residual symptoms, but these should fade within 2 to 3 weeks. Because there is a considerable amount of downtime, patients may not be willing to undergo a surgical neck lift. If this is the case, Dr. Jacono and other facial plastic surgeons recommend minimally invasive, non-surgical solutions.
Non-Surgical Neck lift
Those who would prefer not to go under the knife can get a non-surgical neck lift. For this purpose, Dr. Jacono recommends a series of 3 Kybella injection treatments, as well as Botox to prevent the muscles from sagging again.
Kybella is a new, innovative injectable that is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for under-chin fat. Its active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that breaks down and absorbs fat. When injected into the chin, Kybella destroys fat cells. Once these pockets are eliminated, the cells can no longer accumulate fat. This results in a reduction in under-chin fullness, making patients look thinner and more sculpted.
“Kybella is a miracle treatment,” says Dr. Jacono. “It’s one of the only injectables on the market that offers permanent results. This is because it quite literally destroys the fat cells in the neck and helps the body reabsorb them. No other fat cells can grow in that space. The results are very noticeable, as well, which makes it an incredible package.”
Kybella also boasts quick and effortless treatment sessions. A typical visit to your doctor can be completed in fewer than 30 minutes. The injection is painless—Dr. Jacono applies a topical numbing cream.
As with any great cosmetic treatment, Kybella carries a few disadvantages. It takes time for results to manifest. Typically, patients notice changes between 4 and 6 weeks. However, it usually takes 3 months before the results are completely visible. Additionally, Kybella’s results are not as dramatic as a surgical neck lift. This is because it does not manipulate underlying facial architecture. In other words, it does not tighten muscle, skin, and other internal structures. It is designed to only eliminate fat. Some patients may be discouraged by this.
Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Neck Lifting
“In the end, surgery is almost always the better option,” says Dr. Jacono, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. “It does a lot more than injections can and provides support in integral areas. Moreover, many of my patients who begin with injections like Kybella end up getting surgery down the line. They wonder why they didn’t go under the knife earlier.”
In the end, the choice between surgical and non-invasive neck lifts is the patient’s to decide. Whatever the case, Dr. Jacono urges all prospective clients to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon with verifiable results. “The best thing that anyone can do for themselves when it comes to picking a surgeon is do their research,” says Dr. Jacono. “You want to go to someone who has proven ability and will handle your case with the utmost care.”
