Deep Plane Neck Lift Dallas, TX
Turning Back The Clock
The neck has a way of changing the entire impression of the face. As its underlying support begins to shift, the profile can lose the clean definition it once had, leaving patients feeling older than they recognize.
Dr. Joseph Kelling offers deep plane neck lifts in Dallas, Texas to correct these changes at their source. By working beneath the surface and tailoring the surgery to each patient’s facial anatomy, he can restore a smoother transition from the chin through the neck while preserving natural movement and character.
Structure Beneath the Surface
A deep plane neck lift is a surgical procedure that addresses loose neck skin, the platysma muscle, excess fat, and selected deeper structures beneath the platysma muscle. By correcting the source of neck heaviness, the procedure can create a smoother neck and a more defined contour between the chin and jawline.
A traditional neck lift may focus on tightening the platysma and removing excess skin. Deep neck lift surgery expands the correction to the deeper layers when anatomy calls for it, including subplatysmal fat, the digastric muscles, or prominent submandibular glands.
A Clearer Profile
A deep plane neck lift can address sagging skin, visible platysma bands, a double chin, excess fat, and poor jawline definition. It may also improve neck contours affected by aging, weight changes, inherited anatomy, or tissue that sits beneath the platysma muscle.
Non-surgical treatments and neck liposuction can help selected patients, although they can’t correct every source of heaviness. Loose skin, separated neck muscles, and prominent deep tissues often require surgical correction.
From Chin to Collarbone
A small incision beneath the chin gives Dr. Kelling access to excess fat, the platysma muscle, and deeper structures. This can improve a double chin that remains despite a stable weight.
Tightening the underlying tissue can reduce jowls and restore a more defined contour along the lower face.
Excess skin and muscle laxity can be corrected to create a smoother transition from the jawline toward the collarbone.
Definition That Excites
Because the procedure addresses several anatomical layers, it can produce a more complete correction than treatments aimed at the skin alone.
The Right Procedure for the Right Anatomy
Ideal candidates have visible neck laxity, muscle bands, jowls, or fullness that comes from deeper tissues. Patients should be in good health, avoid nicotine, and have realistic expectations for cosmetic surgery.
A deep plane neck lift can be appropriate for younger patients with inherited fullness under the chin as well as older patients experiencing skin sagging and muscle laxity.
Surgery may need to wait if you smoke, have an uncontrolled medical condition, take medications that cannot be paused safely, or cannot follow recovery restrictions. Patients with mild skin laxity may be better served by non-surgical treatments or neck liposuction.
Ready Before Surgery Day
Dr. Kelling will give you all of the information you could possibly need leading up to your appointment. You may need to complete any requested testing and medical clearance before surgery, and he may ask you to stop nicotine and pause certain medications or supplements with approval from the prescribing clinician. Arrange transportation, prepare a comfortable recovery area, and plan to keep your head slightly elevated during the first week of recovery. Follow all fasting and medication instructions provided by the surgical team.
Precision Through Every Layer
The procedure takes place under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility.
The exact technique varies because the cause of neck fullness differs among patients. Dr. Kelling bases the surgical plan on the structures that need correction.
Healing With a Plan
Swelling and bruising are most visible during the first week. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and public activities in about two weeks, although some swelling may remain.
Walking is encouraged after surgery, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting must wait until Dr. Kelling provides clearance.
Tightness, numbness, and firmness can occur as the tissues heal. These sensations ease over the following weeks. Residual swelling may take several months to resolve and Dr. Kelling often recommends lymphatic massage to help manage the post-operative swelling.
Keep your head elevated, protect the incisions, take prescribed medication as directed, and attend each follow-up visit. If your submandibular glands are surgically modified during your surgery then there will be a strict, bland diet to follow for 4 weeks following surgery. Dr. Kelling monitors healing and addresses concerns before they interfere with recovery.
Sharper Contours, Gradual Refinement
Improved neck and jawline contours are often visible once the initial swelling begins to fade. The neck looks more refined over the next one to three months as tissues settle, bruising clears, and incision lines mature. The final definition can continue to develop for several months.
A deep plane neck lift can provide improvement for many years because it corrects deeper structures along with skin and muscle laxity. Surgery cannot stop aging, but patients continue to age from a more youthful starting point. Stable weight, sun protection, and good skin care can support lasting results.
Well-Placed, Well-Concealed
Incisions are placed beneath the chin and, when needed, around or behind the ears. Early scars may look pink or firm before fading over several months. Sun protection and the scar-care plan provided by Dr. Kelling can help incision lines mature well.
Choosing the Right Depth of Correction
Treatment | Best Suited For | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Deep plane neck lift | Loose skin, muscle bands, deep fullness, and reduced jawline definition | Requires surgery and recovery |
| Traditional neck lift | Excess skin and platysma laxity | May offer less access to deeper structures |
| Neck liposuction | Excess fat with firm skin and good elasticity | Does not correct muscle laxity or excess skin |
| Non-surgical treatments | Mild laxity and early changes | Cannot match the structural correction of surgery |
A More Complete Facial Balance
A deep plane neck lift is often combined with a deep plane facelift when aging affects the cheeks, jowls, and neck. It may also complement a brow lift, eyelid surgery, fat grafting, or laser skin resurfacing. Combining procedures can create smoother transitions across the face and neck while keeping the outcome balanced.
Experience You Can See in the Details
Dr. Joseph Kelling is a board-certified plastic surgeon who trained at UT Southwestern and serves as community faculty for its plastic surgery residency. Facial rejuvenation is a central part of his practice, and he performs each surgical procedure himself.
His neck lift technique can address the platysma, subplatysmal fat, digastric muscles, and submandibular glands when indicated. That depth of planning allows Dr. Kelling to create defined contours while respecting the patient’s natural facial tissues, proportions, and expressions.
Refining Your Profile
Schedule a private consultation with Kelling Plastic Surgery to discuss your neck, jawline, and aesthetic goals. Dr. Kelling will explain the most appropriate approach and provide clear expectations for surgery, recovery, scars, and results.
Cost depends on the complexity of the procedure, anesthesia fees, facility costs, and any procedures performed at the same time. Dr. Kelling’s team provides a personalized quote after your consultation.
No. A deep plane neck lift focuses on the chin, jawline, and neck. A deep plane facelift repositions deeper facial tissues through the cheeks and lower face. They can be performed together.
It may improve mild jowls and sharpen the jawline. More advanced cheek or lower-face descent may require a facelift for balanced correction.
Most patients describe pressure, tightness, and soreness rather than severe pain. Medication can help manage discomfort during the first phase of recovery.
Yes, when the double chin is caused by superficial fat, deeper fat, muscle position, or selected deep structures. Skin quality and chin projection also affect the final contour.
Light walking begins soon after surgery. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting usually remain restricted for several weeks, based on Dr. Kelling’s assessment of your healing.
