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An aging neck is a common concern. As the lowest point on the face, sagging tissues show most prominently in the neck and jowls, and our Washington DC and Northern Virginia patients often seek correction. A surgical neck lift is the gold standard for restoring a lifted, tightened and defined neck contour, particularly when the efficacy of non-invasive devices is limited.
A blunted or full neck contour can be genetic (in younger patients neck skin is tight but underlying structures are bulky or full) or age-related (in order patients neck skin and muscle becomes loose and deeper tissues hypertrophy). In most cases, Dr. Rad must address 4 factors: loose skin, excess fat above and below the platysma muscle, excess digastric muscle bulk, a weak platysma muscular sling, and a small chin and weak jawline. Addressing each of these factors with high skill can lead to lifelong excellent results.
Ideal patients are generally healthy and of any age and any body type. Patients should have realistic goals: restoring crisp neck and jawlines in order to refresh one’s appearance is a reasonable goal, whereas seeking the looks of another person is not. Friends, family and colleagues should notice that you look better, as if having lost weight or more refreshed. Patients planning facelift should also consider neck lift for a balanced result. Nora Ephron once said “The neck is a dead give-away. Our faces are lies and our necks are the truth.” Dr. Rad is known in northern Virginia and Washington DC for achieving facial harmony and restoring youthful neck and face contours will give the most natural results.
Patients are most concerned to achieve a “natural” result and Dr. Rad makes a detailed assessment of facial and neck anatomy when planning neck lift. With mild skin looseness, scars can be minimized, an approach Dr. Rad has refined and known as the “scarless” or mini-necklift technique. An open approach addresses significant laxity of all tissue layers. In the scarless approach, very small incisions behind the earlobes through which the platysma muscle is tightened and skin redraped. In the open technique longer incisions around the ear and under chin are necessary and all tissue layers are addressed: skin is redraped, deep fat removed, digastric muscles (“vestigial” muscles of no important function) reduced, and platysma muscle tightened. In both techniques, Dr. Rad endeavors to minimize tissue dissection and trauma. Dr. Rad places multiple ‘suspension’ sutures to contour the neck. Sutures are absorbable and over 6 months replaced by scar tissue which holds the beautifully lifted contour. The primary difference between the ‘closed’ and ‘open’ techniques is the length of the scar. A neck lift is an artistic procedure requiring nuanced surgical judgment to create balance and harmony between the face and neck while maintaining a natural appearance.
The neck often shows the first signs of aging: loose neck skin, wrinkling and creasing, and muscle bands. Neck lift surgery is the gold standard for restoring a lifted and angled neck contour, particularly with non-invasive devices have failed. The degree of skin looseness determines whether a “closed” (minimal incisions) or “open” (visible, but well placed, scar) approach is needed.
Dr. Rad uses the closed neck lift procedure when there is mild neck skin laxity and/or significant amounts of fat. It is called a ‘closed’ technique because Dr. Rad performs surgery through very small hidden incisions behind the ears and under the chin.
Dr. Rad makes an incision behind the earlobe and under the chin, performs liposuction, separates the neck skin from the underlying muscle (platysma) layer, and places multiple ‘suspension’ sutures to contour the neck.
Pain is rare. The most common sensation is temporary neck tightness. Bruising and swelling are normal and resolve over 7 to 10 days. Return to work or going to social outings 2 weeks after surgery is common.
The neck often shows the first signs of aging: loose neck skin, wrinkling and creasing, and muscle bands. Neck lift surgery is the gold standard for restoring a lifted and angled neck contour, particularly with non-invasive devices have failed. The degree of skin looseness determines whether a “closed” (minimal incisions) or “open” (visible, but well placed, scar) approach is needed.
Open neck lift is necessary when neck skin is moderately to severely loose and elasticity has been lost. ‘Open’ refers to the fact that a visible (albeit well disguised) scar behind, and sometimes in front of, the ears is needed in order to remove excess neck skin.
Dr. Rad uses liposuction to de-fat the neck tissues and to define the plane. Dr. Rad then places the scar around the ear, separates the neck skin from the underlying muscle (platysma) layer and then lifts the neck muscle with permanent sutures anchored to the strong tissues behind the ear. Excess skin is removed and incisions closed. This is one of the most gratifying procedures for Dr. Rad’s patients as it results in beautiful contours reliably and with longevity.
Pain is rare. The most common sensation is temporary neck tightness. Bruising and swelling are normal and resolve over 7 to 10 days. Return to work or going to social outings 2 weeks after surgery is common.
Dr. Rad’s approach is unique for each patient, and it combines sophisticated, state-of-the-art techniques to achieve natural and long lasting results.
Your vision for your results will emerge through detailed consultation with Dr. Rad, meticulous examination of your anatomy, and careful pre-surgical planning. While Dr. Rad’s surgical approach is unique for each patient, the goal of naturalness remains constant.
Actual Washington DC Neck Lift Patient of Dr. Rad’s
See More Top Neck Lift Results
Sherber+Rad cannot guarantee specific results.
Individual results may vary.
You comfort and safety are most important and light “twilight” anesthesia ensures you won’t feel any discomfort, you won’t be aware of the procedure, and you’ll not have memories of surgery. This level of anesthesia is minimal, just enough so that you’re asleep and unaware of the procedure, but you are still breathing on your own (the machine is not “breathing for you”). The safest environment in which to perform surgery under anesthesia is a hospital-based operating room. Dr. Rad performs surgery at Sibley, GW and Inova Fairfax, the best hospitals in the northern Virginia and Washington DC areas.
You may return home the same day after surgery and Dr. Rad will see you the next day to check that all is healing well. They usually experience temporary and moderate neck tightness, however this is not painful. The tightness sensation dissipates over a few weeks and a few days of pain medicine or muscle relaxant are helpful. Neck mobility returns to normal in a couple of weeks. Mild bruising and swelling is common and resolves in a few days, and small drains are removed 1 day after surgery.
In Washington DC facelift patients want to return to their normal routine as soon as possible and Dr. Rad endeavors to minimize invasiveness so that swelling and bruising are limited to as little time as possible while still achieving your goals. Return to work is dependent on your work and healing: for example, if you have a physically strenuous job then you’ll need more time, closer to 3+ weeks. However, if your work is not strenuous then you can return to work much sooner, sometimes within 7-10 days depending on your unique tissue healing. A number of Dr. Rad’s patients enjoy a refreshed look in as little as 7-9 days.
Necklift surgery is very safe when performed by a skilled surgeon in a hospital-based operating facility. The risks related to anesthesia – Dr. Rad considers your safety to be the highest priority and for this reason he chooses not to perform your surgery in the office, and rather at Sibley, George Washington or Inova Fairfax hospitals, the best hospital systems in the Washington DC and northern Virginia areas, where skilled anesthesiologists and nursing staff create a safe and comfortable environment. Anesthesia risk is very low for healthy patients who have no heart, lung or kidney disease, many times lower than the risk of driving a car every day.
There are many techniques and technologies available, and it can be confusing to know how much improvement can be achieved with each. Many patients ask Dr. Rad if liposuction combined with a skin tightening device can achieve as good a result as surgical necklift. The short answer is no: surgical contouring addresses all tissue layers, i.e. skin, subcutaneous (under skin) fat, platysma muscle, sub-platysma fat and digastric muscles, whereas liposuction only addresses subcutaneous fat. Patients younger than 35 generally have good skin tone and so fullness in the neck can be related to excess fatty tissue (if overweight) but more commonly due to full digastric muscles and subplatysma fat which are not affected by liposuction. Older patients with loose skin won’t respond well to skin tightening because collagen content is low, and so redrawing of tissues is needed. Across all age groups, surgical neck contouring can be tailored to your exact needs, and Dr. Rad will guide you expertly towards the ideal results safely and effectively.
For patients with good skin elasticity and who are concerned with early laxity in the neck and jowl, jawline regions, Thermage FLX is the most effective and science-driven skin tightening device on the market. It is the “smart phone” equivalent as compared with all other devices which are like the “dumb flip phones”. The reason is because Thermage FLX can titrate the heat delivered to tissues to raise temperature to the narrow band of efficacy. This “smart” technology of real-time adjustment of heat delivery allows every pulse of treatment to reliably tighten skin. All other devices are not capable of adjusting energy and so providers often err on the side of undertreating, which results in no improvement, because overtreating can result in a burn. Therefore Thermage FLX is the only skin tightening device that delivers reliable results.
Our plastic surgery office in Washington DC is centered on your comfort and privacy. You’ll be received by our exquisitely attentive staff, and escorted to your own private cabana wherein you’ll feel relaxed and comfortable while consulting discreetly with Dr. Rad. First Dr. Rad will determine if you are a good candidate for surgery and during your consultation you should decide if Dr. Rad is the right surgeon for you. Credentials are crucial and, in addition to being Board certified in plastic surgery, Dr. Rad is Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, and he enjoys an impeccable reputation as a top flight aesthetic surgeon. His facial plastic surgery expertise is sought out as one of the best surgeons in Washington DC, northern Virginia and the US. Your safety is Dr. Rad's primary concern and he will review your medical history. You should inform Dr. Rad of any medical problems or medications that may affect your healing. If you are medically appropriate to undergo surgery then Dr. Rad's focus will be to understand what specific aesthetic concerns you have. Washington DC patients expect natural results with minimal downtime. Dr. Rad will spend time carefully listening to your concerns, asking clarifying questions and then masterfully guiding you, step by step, to understand how your unique anatomy can be improved to convey a rested appearance. Dr. Rad’s goal is to determine the most comprehensive approach for long lasting, natural results while minimizing downtime. Dr. Rad first needs to understand your specific concerns and you should prepare your thoughts prior to your consultation. Think of words that convey how you feel about your appearance. For example, Washington DC patients often say they look fatigued, tired or lackluster because of undereye bags or dark undereye circles, or they look sad, upset or disinterested such as from heavy eyebrows, excess skin above the eyes or downturned corners of the mouth. Patients often relate concerns of looking older than how they feel and this can be caused by jowls, nasolabial folds, loose neck skin, lines and wrinkles. Try to put into words how your appearance bothers you, and the priority you give to each area. Dr. Rad will then present to you his expert opinion about which procedures would be best to restore your anatomy to create a rested and refreshed appearance. And since surgery is intricate Dr. Rad will guide you through a stepwise approach of aesthetic analysis and he’ll deliver his recommendations in a clear and honest manner. Dr. Rad will present all options available in modern day surgery, both non-surgical and surgical. Dr. Rad and Board certified dermatologist Dr. Sherber often collaborate to optimize patients’ results and to minimize invasiveness. As such Dr. Rad’s modern approach to surgery harnesses the power of both dermatology and plastic surgery as both specialities address different aesthetic challenges. For example, plastic surgery is effective to lift, tighten and volumize loose, atrophied tissues, whereas dermatologic treatments such as laser, radiofrequency tightening and skincare are best to improve skin texture, pigmentation and tone. Dr. Rad can address any concerns regarding skin quality and how to obtain and maintain optimal results. Dr. Rad will review with you photos of his patients’ results (many of which you’ll not find online due to privacy concerns) to highlight his aesthetic approaches and skill. He will take your photographs, which remain confidential, to assist with the planning of your surgery. For your safety Dr. Rad performs surgery in a hospital-based operating room, considered to be the safest environment, rather than in the office. Anesthesia is delivered by a board certified anesthesiologist (MD) and you’ll be under light anesthesia which is important for your safety and comfort. You will receive a customized quote for the procedures in which you’re interested. Once approved we may then move forward with pre-operative preparations and you will meet with Dr. Rad again at your final in person consultation prior to surgery. Dr. Rad’s reputation as one of the most technically gifted surgeons attracts patients nationally and from around the world. We cater to patients from across the globe by arranging virtual consultations, luxury accommodations at The Jefferson hotel, Washington DC’s most luxurious 5 star boutique hotel, as well as private nursing care. Your privacy, comfort and safely achieving exceptional results are our top priorities.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY CONSULTATION WITH DR. RAD?
“Dr. Rad performed a lower facelift for me about 5 months ago. He was incredibly accessible during the pre-and post-op time, even meeting me at 5 am before he went into another surgery to change my pain medicine. He has been nothing but courteous and professional during follow-ups. and my healing has been great. The results get more beautiful every day; I was mistaken recently for being 29! I recommend him highly to everyone I know.”
Jennifer P. | June, 2018
Dr. Rad’s credentials speak for themselves: Princeton (B.S.E, Magna Cum Laude), Duke School of Medicine (M.D.) and University of London (Ph.D.) educated and Johns Hopkins Plastic Surgery trained, he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins, and long-standing member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Rad is considered an expert in facial plastic surgery and microsurgery. He is ranked the #1 plastic surgeon in Washington DC based on aggregate ratings from all independent ranking websites: “top rated local“, “three best rated” top plastic surgeon and “top plastic surgeon reviews“. SHERBER+RAD have never engaged in paid advertising, and all rankings, reviews are from vetted and respected sources.
Dr. Rad considers safety to be the highest priority, and thorough preoperative assessment with medical clearance by your primary care physician are mandatory.
If you take nicotine products (all tobacco, nicotine gums and patches, etc.), Dr. Rad strongly recommends that you stop consuming nicotine at least 4 weeks before surgery and then 4 weeks after surgery because the nicotine causes blood vessel constriction which decreases blood flow in the skin and impairs healing. We will provide detailed pre- and post-operative instructions.
Certain medications will need to be avoided both before and after surgery such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, all of which can increase bleeding. You should also make arrangements for a family member or friend to bring you to and from the surgical center. You’ll need a responsible adult to stay with you the first night.
If you prefer to have a private duty nursing and private recovery at The Jefferson hotel in downtown DC, a 5- star luxury boutique hotel located 2 blocks from SHERBER+RAD, then our office staff will be happy to help make arrangements. Our patients, family and friends enjoy ultimate privacy, comfort and dining, as well as 20% off best available rates. Please phone us at 202.517.7299 and our staff will be happy to assist you.
The cost of a facelift (midface, lower face, neck lift) under Dr. Rad’s care starts at $25,000 and increases depending on anatomical needs (specifically whether deep gland and fat reduction is needed), aesthetic goals, and whether other facial procedures are combined with the facelift. The cost for total facial aesthetic surgery ranges $30,000 to $125,000 for corrective work or comprehensive facial aesthetic enhancement that includes eyelids, brows, nose, lips, etc. Note that pricing is customized for each patient and these guidelines do not necessarily apply uniformly.
Total cost depends on multiple factors: your unique anatomy, your goals, complexity of the procedures, the technique used (non-surgical versus surgical), whether corrective work is needed, in-office or hospital-based operating facility, combining multiple procedures (increasing concessions apply for multiple procedures), and the training, certification (Board certification is essential), experience (at least 8 years of experience after residency is recommended), and eye and skill (the unteachable talent) of your surgeon.
Although you may receive varying cost estimates from other practices, keep in mind that your surgeon’s education and training, plastic surgery board certification, his/her experience (at least 8 years of experience after residency is recommended), and the “X” factor of aesthetic artistry and surgical skill (i.e., talent) of your surgeon are important factors in pricing. Dr. Rad’s goal for every patient is to achieve nuanced and natural results with minimal recovery, and we have mechanisms in place to bring your goals in financial reach.
We look forward to welcoming you for your private consultation with Dr. Rad
Enjoy a unique experience centered on your privacy and on unhurried attention to your concerns
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Sherber+Rad1101 15th St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20005