Neck Lift in Boston

Name: Neck Lift
Brand: Dr. Ashley Lonergan

Refine the neck and jawline and achieve a tighter, more balanced silhouette with a neck lift in Boston. With Dr. Ashley Lonergan, every neck lift is fully customized to your needs, ensuring natural-looking results that help you feel like you, just more confident.

Restoring Definition to Your Jawline

If loose skin or muscle banding along your neck is more of a concern than aging in your lower face, a neck lift may be the more targeted answer than a facelift. In her work at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lonergan performs this procedure to sharpen the jawline and neck, creating balance without changing the rest of your features.

What Is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin, fat, and muscle banding along the neck, tightening the area beneath your chin and along your jawline. It's often the missing piece for patients who've noticed their neck aging faster than the rest of their face. Many of Dr. Lonergan’s Boston patients come to her for the following neck lift benefits:

A more defined, sculpted jawline
Reduced banding and vertical cords in the neck
Removal of excess fat beneath the chin
Increased confidence when viewed from the side
Results that complement, rather than replace, a facelift

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Why Choose Dr. Lonergan?

Your neck and jawline are key parts of your facial anatomy, which is why Dr. Lonergan approaches a neck lift as part of your whole face, not an isolated area. Her fellowship training included advanced facial rejuvenation techniques, providing her with a strong foundation in how the neck, jaw, and lower face function together.

Dr. Lonergan is also the only female facial plastic surgery specialist practicing at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, which shapes how candidly she discusses your goals and options. If a neck lift alone won't get you the result you're after, she'll be direct in her assessment and walk you through whether pairing a neck lift with another procedure makes more sense for your goals, anatomy, and budget.

What to Expect From Your Neck Lift in Boston

Evaluating Your Neck and Jawline

Your one-on-one consultation will begin with an in-depth discussion of your aesthetic goals, medical history, motivations, and concerns. Then, Dr. Lonergan will evaluate your skin quality, muscle banding, and the amount of fat beneath your chin to determine whether a neck lift alone can address your concerns or if you’re better suited to a combined procedure.

A Precise, Targeted Technique

During surgery, Dr. Lonergan will tighten the underlying neck muscles and remove excess skin and fat to create a smoother, more defined profile. This technique focuses specifically on the neck and jawline rather than the midface, making it more targeted than a full facelift.

Comfort During Your Procedure

A neck lift is typically performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation, depending on the extent of correction needed and your overall health. Dr. Lonergan will review the specific approach recommended for your case with you well before your surgery date.

Incisions Designed to Stay Hidden

Dr. Lonergan strategically places incisions beneath the chin, and, in some cases, behind the ears keeping scars discreet once healing is complete. This placement allows Dr. Lonergan to access and tighten the underlying tissue while keeping any resulting marks well concealed.

Patient-First Recovery

Recovery from a neck lift in Boston typically involves swelling and tightness in the neck for one to two weeks, which will gradually ease as healing progresses. Depending on your needs, Dr. Lonergan may provide you with a compressive neck wrap to reduce swelling, encourage fluid drainage, and support your tissues during early recovery. Most patients feel comfortable returning to light activity, including desk work and social gatherings, within two weeks. You'll need to avoid strenuous activity, such as running and heavy lifting, for at least four to six weeks to allow your body to heal.

Your Post-Op Process

After your procedure, Dr. Lonergan will provide you with a recovery plan tailored to your specific needs. This plan typically covers the following:

Incision site care and cleaning instructions
Compressive wrap or garment guidance
Sleep position restrictions
Activity limitations
Swelling and pain management strategies
Hygiene recommendations
Sun exposure and protection protocols
Side effects to watch for during recovery

You’ll return to Dr. Lonergan’s Boston office for several follow-up visits throughout your recovery. There, she’ll check your healing progress, remove any remaining sutures, and answer questions regarding recovery and complications.

Unlock a Refreshed, Confident You

Your results from your neck lift will continue to refine over the following months as swelling fully resolves. Dr. Lonergan’s goal is to craft a neck and jawline that looks naturally sculpted and proportionate to the rest of your face, as if you’d never had a procedure at all.

Woman resting head on hand Purple and white flowers

Neck Lift Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a neck lift and a deep plane facelift?

A neck lift focuses on the neck and jawline, while a deep plane facelift also repositions the deeper tissues of the midface and cheeks. Many patients choose to combine the two for a more balanced, comprehensive result, and Dr. Lonergan will recommend the right approach for your anatomy and goals.

Am I a good candidate for a neck lift?

Good candidates are healthy, non-smoking adults who are bothered by loose skin, neck banding, or a loss of definition along the jawline and neck. Dr. Lonergan will evaluate your anatomy and goals during your consultation to determine if a neck lift is the right fit.

Can a neck lift remove fat under my chin?

Excess fat beneath the chin is often addressed with submental liposuction, which can be performed on its own or combined with a neck lift. If loose skin or muscle banding is also present, a neck lift may be needed to achieve a smooth, defined result.

Can I combine a neck lift with other procedures?

Yes, many patients pair a neck lift with other procedures to enhance their overall results. Common combinations include a deep plane facelift, chin augmentation, buccal fat removal, or facial fat transfer. Dr. Lonergan will help you build a plan during your consultation.

What is recovery like after a neck lift?

Most patients experience swelling and bruising in the first couple of weeks, with gradual improvement over the following weeks and months. Dr. Lonergan will provide a personalized recovery plan, and you can review general guidance on our pre and post-op instructions page.

Where will the incisions be placed, and will scarring be visible?

Incisions are strategically placed in and around the natural contours of the ear, hairline, and sometimes beneath the chin so they blend in as the area heals. Dr. Lonergan will review incision placement and scar care with you during your consultation.

Are there non-surgical alternatives to a neck lift?

Non-surgical treatments cannot tighten loose skin or reposition muscle the way surgery can, but they may help patients with milder concerns. Options such as Botox, dermal fillers, and chemical peels can help refresh the appearance of the neck and lower face or complement surgical results.

Do I need to travel to Boston for a neck lift consultation?

Patients travel from outside the area to see Dr. Lonergan. Our out-of-town patients page outlines how to plan your visit, and you can contact our office to get started.