Facial Plastic Surgery · Dr. Susan Tan, MD ABFPRS

Neck Lift in Honolulu

With so much attention on facelifts, it’s easy to underestimate how much a neck lift can change your overall appearance. The neck is as visible as the face — and it ages just as dramatically. Dr. Susan Tan is the only female fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon in Honolulu and a leading provider of natural-looking neck lifts in Oahu.

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ABFPRS Board Certified Fellowship-Trained · University of Toronto Castle Connolly Top Doctor 2026 Only Female Facial Plastic Surgeon in Honolulu

A Specialist’s Perspective

Neck Lift Surgery Produces One of the Most Dramatic — and Most Underestimated — Improvements in Facial Plastic Surgery

The neck ages visibly — often before the face. Sun damage, skin laxity, platysmal banding, and submental fullness can make a person look years older than they feel. A surgical neck lift (cervicoplasty) is among the most effective procedures Dr. Tan performs, and its results are frequently described by patients as life-changing in proportion to the recovery involved.

Dr. Tan is double board-certified and the only female fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon practicing in Honolulu. She has performed neck lifts as standalone procedures and in combination with facelifts throughout her 17 years of practice — exclusively in the face and neck. Every procedure is performed by Dr. Tan personally.

Understanding the distinction between a neck lift and neck liposuction is important for candidacy. A neck lift addresses the platysma muscle, excess skin, and structural laxity. Neck liposuction addresses subcutaneous fat deposits. Many patients benefit from one or both — Dr. Tan will assess your specific anatomy at consultation and recommend the approach that best addresses your concerns.

Why Choose Dr. Tan

What Neck Lift Surgery Corrects

Neck Lift Surgery Addresses These Concerns

The purpose of all facial plastic surgery is to improve appearance and self-confidence — and the neck lift is among the most rewarding procedures for exactly this reason. Patients are often surprised by how much the neck affects the overall look of the face.

Sagging Skin and Turkey Neck

Loose, drooping skin along the neck and jawline — one of the most common aging concerns — is surgically corrected, tightened, and repositioned for a clean, natural contour.

Platysmal Banding

Vertical bands running along the neck occur when the platysma muscle separates with age. A neck lift addresses the platysma directly — tightening and suturing the muscle from the inside for lasting improvement.

Loss of Jawline Definition

A blurred or soft jawline caused by skin descent and fat accumulation is restored — creating a more defined, elegant transition from jaw to neck.

Submental Fullness (Double Chin)

Excess fat beneath the chin is addressed — often in combination with neck liposuction — for a slimmer, more refined neck profile.

Sun Damage and Skin Laxity

Living in Honolulu’s tropical sun accelerates skin aging. Dr. Tan addresses skin laxity and surface changes as part of every neck lift plan.

Neck Lift with Facelift

A neck lift and facelift performed together address the face and neck as a single aging system — Dr. Tan’s most frequent surgical combination, and the most comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation.

Understanding Your Options

Neck Lift vs. Neck Liposuction — What Is the Difference?

Two distinct procedures address the neck — and understanding the difference is essential to getting the right result. Dr. Tan assesses each patient’s anatomy at consultation and recommends the precise approach or combination.

Neck Lift (Cervicoplasty) — Deep Structural Correction

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that tightens the platysma muscle, removes excess skin, and redistributes tissue for a more youthful, natural contour. It addresses the structural layer — muscle and skin — that determines the shape and definition of the neck.

A deep neck lift may also address subplatysmal fat (deep fat below the muscle), submandibular gland reduction when the glands contribute to neck fullness, and digastric muscle reduction — structural elements that cannot be addressed by liposuction alone.

Best for: Patients with visible skin laxity, platysmal banding, loose neck skin, or structural fullness that will not respond to liposuction alone. Most patients in their late 40s and beyond.

Neck Liposuction — Subcutaneous Fat Removal

Neck liposuction removes subcutaneous fat deposits — the fat layer beneath the skin and above the platysma — through tiny incisions and a thin cannula. It is minimally invasive, performed under local anesthesia, and requires less recovery time than a full neck lift.

It works best when the primary concern is fat — not skin laxity or muscle banding. Patients with good skin elasticity will see the skin naturally tighten as fat is removed. Patients with insufficient elasticity may require a neck lift instead, or in combination.

Best for: Younger patients (typically 20s–40s) with isolated submental fat and good skin tone. Can be combined with a neck lift for comprehensive recontouring. Learn more about neck liposuction →

Candidacy

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?

Most patients who see Dr. Tan for neck lift information are dealing with visibly droopy, sagging skin on the neck — the condition many refer to as “turkey neck.” Most patients are in their late 40s through early 60s, but there is no exact age range. The determining factors are anatomy, health, and goals — not a number.

Good candidates are in good general health, are non-smokers or committed to stopping before surgery, and have realistic expectations. A neck lift produces long-lasting results — but it does not stop the natural aging process. Dr. Tan explains this honestly at every consultation.

The most accurate answer to your candidacy is one Dr. Tan can only give after examining your anatomy in person. Schedule a consultation and find out.

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Neck Lift Recovery Timeline

Day 1 Head bandage and drains removed at post-operative visit

Days 2–3 Keep neck elevated including while sleeping — reduces swelling

Week 1 Sutures removed. Most swelling and bruising beginning to resolve

Weeks 1–3 Most patients return to work and resume light activities

Weeks 3–5 Most patients resume normal activities — individual healing varies

Long-Term Results are permanent and long-lasting — 10 to 15 years is a conservative estimate

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Frequently Asked Questions

Neck Lift in Honolulu — Frequently Asked Questions

How Is Neck Lift Surgery Performed?

The neck lifting procedure takes several hours and is performed at our facial plastic surgery center. Dr. Tan uses advanced techniques to separate the skin from the underlying tissue. During surgery, skin and muscles are tightened, excess fat deposits are removed, and excess skin is excised for some patients. Small incisions, which will be hidden when they heal, are made under the chin and behind the ears. After your procedure, a sterile dressing is placed around your head and under the chin. You’ll spend time in our recovery room until it’s safe to go home.

How Long Will Neck Lift Improvements Last?

Surgical neck lifting produces long-lasting, permanent results after recovery. Your neck will appear more youthful, and the ‘turkey neck’ look will be resolved. For some patients, the results last a lifetime. For others, 10 to 15 years is a conservative estimate. Following good health habits will help — avoiding smoking, excess sun exposure, and maintaining stable weight.

What Is the Neck Lift Recovery Process Like?

Recovery time varies, but most patients recover within these general ranges. First week: be cautious with healing areas. Keep your neck elevated, including while sleeping, to reduce swelling. Some bruising is normal. Weeks 1–3: most patients return to work and resume light physical activities. After 3–5 weeks: most people resume normal activities. Give yourself ample time before strenuous exercise.

What Is the Difference Between a Neck Lift and Neck Liposuction?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure addressing the platysma muscle, excess skin, and structural laxity — the deeper layers that determine neck shape. Neck liposuction removes subcutaneous fat deposits and is appropriate for patients with isolated fat and good skin elasticity. Many patients benefit from a combination. Dr. Tan assesses your anatomy at consultation and recommends the precise approach.

Where Can I Get a Neck Lift in Honolulu?

Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery is located at 1150 S. King St., Suite 504, Honolulu, HI 96814 — easily accessible from anywhere in Oahu. Parking is available on Young Street at the Eleven50 parking structure in the Atlas Building. The practice is by appointment only. Call (808) 636-9084 to schedule your consultation.

Ready to find out more about neck lift services in Honolulu?

Every neck lift consultation begins with an honest, unhurried conversation with Dr. Tan personally — examining your anatomy and telling you exactly what she recommends and why.

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