Is a Deep Neck Lift and Deep Neck Contouring Painful?

Most of our San Diego patients experience mild neck and jawline tightness or soreness after surgery. Pain is generally manageable with prescription or over-the-counter medication, and discomfort decreases steadily over the first week.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Appointments vary depending on your procedure, but typically include a pre-operative consultation, the surgery itself, and several follow-ups. The first follow-up is usually within a week, with additional visits over the next few months to ensure optimal healing and satisfaction with your results.

How Long Until I See Results?

Initial improvements are visible soon after surgery, but swelling can mask the final contours. Most of Dr. Kolstad’s patients notice significant changes within two to three weeks, and the refined, lasting results settle over two to three months.

Can I Combine a Deep Neck Lift and Deep Fat Excision With Other Procedures?

Yes, many of our San Diego patients choose to combine a deep neck lift and deep fat excision with other facial procedures to achieve more harmonious, balanced results. Common combinations include facelifts, chin augmentation, or eyelid surgery. Dr. Kolstad evaluates each patient’s anatomy and goals carefully to ensure that combining procedures is safe, effective, and tailored to produce natural-looking results without overcorrecting any area. To schedule your consultation at Kolstad Facial Plastic Surgery in San Diego, call (858) 859-2563 or reach out online to start the conversation.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Deep Neck Lift and Deep Fat Excision?

Risks with a deep neck lift and deep fat excision can include infection, bleeding, bruising, swelling, numbness, and temporary or permanent scarring. Rarely, patients may experience asymmetry or delayed healing. Patients receive detailed instructions for recovery, including wound care and activity restrictions, to further minimize complications and ensure smooth, lasting results.

San Diego & La Jolla, CA

Deep Neck Lift & Deep Fat Excision

Name: Kolstad Facial Plastic Surgery
Brand: Kolstad Facial Plastic Surgery
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (95 reviews)

Close-up of Dr. Kolstad in surgical attire and mask, holding a surgical thread or suture material with gloved hands, focused on the task.

Have you heard about Deep Neck Contouring, also called a deep neck lift or deep neck fat excision? This new procedure has been a game-changer for young patients looking to enhance their necklines and remove stubborn fat deposits.

Deep neck contouring is designed for someone in their 20s, 30s, or 40s with stubborn neck fat deposits. Traditional neck liposuction doesn’t address the deeper neck fat, also called subplatysmal fat. With a deep neck fat excision, Dr. Kolstad goes beyond surface-level changes. By tightening muscles, removing unwanted fat, and redraping the skin, Dr. Kolstad creates a polished, youthful profile without the need for a facelift.

With so many plastic surgeons in San Diego, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Dr. Kolstad is a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon who focuses exclusively on the face and neck rather than breast or body procedures. By dedicating his practice entirely to facial rejuvenation, Dr. Kolstad is able to create a facelift tailored to your anatomy, features, and aesthetic goals.

What is Deep Neck Contouring?

Our deep neck lift addresses both the superficial and deep layers of neck fat and, when needed, underlying structures that contribute to a heavy, undefined neckline. In the first step, subcutaneous liposuction removes the fat just beneath the skin. Through a slightly longer incision under the chin, the platysma muscles are opened, allowing removal of the deeper subplatysmal fat from both sides of the neck, extending down to the level of the thyroid cartilage.

Dr. Kolstad performs a deep neck lift by tightening the platysma muscles, repositioning tissue, and removing fat pockets that resist diet and exercise. The result is a smooth, sculpted neck and jawline that blends seamlessly with your facial features. Deep fat excision is especially beneficial for patients with persistent fullness beneath the chin, providing balanced, defined, and personalized results.

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Deep Neck Fat

Deep neck fat, also known as subplatysmal fat, can be surgically removed to create a more defined jawline and neck contour. Because this fat lies beneath the platysma muscle, it cannot be effectively treated with liposuction alone. Instead, removal requires a more advanced surgical procedure that directly addresses the deeper fat deposits.

Platysmaplasty

During a deep neck lift, the first step is the removal of unwanted fat deposits from both the superficial and deep neck. The platysma muscle is then elevated and plicated, with its upper medial edges suspended to the digastric muscles beneath the chin. This deep structural support restores a sharper cervicomental angle and creates a more youthful, well-defined neckline.

What Are the Benefits of a Deep Neck Lift and Deep Fat Excision?

Patients notice a great improvement in their profile. Stubborn under-the-chin fat is removed, and the jawline is more clearly defined.

Beyond appearance, many people feel an emotional lift as well, enjoying a renewed sense of confidence in social and professional settings. The results are long-lasting because the procedure addresses the structures beneath the skin, not just surface-level changes.

Why Choose Dr. Kolstad?

Dr. Christopher Kolstad is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon whose practice focuses exclusively on procedures of the face and neck. Unlike general plastic surgeons, who divide their time across multiple areas of the body, Dr. Kolstad’s expertise lies specifically in nasal and facial anatomy, enabling him to deliver refined, natural-looking results through his affiliations with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). With over a decade of experience and hundreds of successful rhinoplasty surgeries, patients consistently choose Dr. Kolstad for his personalized care, transparent communication, and commitment to achieving results that harmonize beautifully with each individual’s unique features.

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Deep Neck Contour?

The best candidates are healthy adults experiencing excess fat beneath the chin that does not respond to exercise or non-surgical treatments. This procedure is ideal for younger patients, typically in their 20s to early 40s, with good skin elasticity who do not yet need a facelift.

If someone has sagging skin, jowls, or platysmal bands, they are a better candidate for a neck lift than a deep neck contouring procedure. Read more about Dr. Kolstad’s deep plane facelift procedure here.

While many patients are in their 20s to 40s, the key factors are skin elasticity and overall health rather than age alone. If your neck makes you look older or heavier than you feel, and you want results that are both natural and enduring, a deep neck lift with fat excision may be ideal.

What’s the First Step?

Your Deep Neck Lift & Deep Fat Excision Journey with Dr. Kolstad

Customize your rhinoplasty!

The first step toward a deep neck lift and deep fat excision is to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Kolstad at his practice.

During this visit, he’ll take time to understand your concerns with your neck area, review any relevant medical history, and examine your anatomy to determine if this is the best approach for your facial goals. You’ll have the chance to discuss what bothers you most, ask questions, and review before-and-after photos of similar cases.

Once a treatment plan is created, his team will guide you through pre-surgical instructions and help you prepare for a smooth, confident experience from start to finish.

What to Expect on the Day of Deep Neck Contouring and Deep Fat Excision Surgery

Small, discreet incisions are made under the chin and, in some cases, behind the ears. Through these openings, Dr. Kolstad carefully tightens the underlying muscles, removes excess fat, and repositions tissue to create a refined, sculpted neck contour. Liposuction may also be performed to smooth the jawline and reduce any remaining fullness.

Your incisions will then be closed with fine sutures to minimize visible scarring. Most of Dr. Kolstad’s patients are able to go home the same day, stepping into recovery with detailed post-operative guidance from the team.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Deep Neck Contouring and Deep Fat Excision Surgery?

Most patients experience mild swelling, tightness, and some bruising for the first week, which gradually improves as the body heals. You’ll need to wear a supportive chin strap or compression garment for a short period to help the tissues settle into their new shape and maintain a smooth, sculpted contour.

Many patients feel ready to return to work and light activity within 10 to 14 days, though more strenuous exercise should wait until Dr. Kolstad gives the green light.

How Much Does a Deep Neck Lift and Deep Fat Excision Cost in San Diego, CA?

The cost of deep neck contouring and deep fat excision in San Diego varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, anesthesia, and surgical facility fees.

During your consultation, Dr. Kolstad’s team will provide a personalized estimate and discuss payment options to help you plan confidently. To schedule your consultation at Kolstad Facial Plastic Surgery in San Diego, call (858) 859-2563 or reach out online to start the conversation.