Menu

Close

Facelift | Neck Lift

Facelift | Neck Lift in North Scottsdale with
Dr. Kyle Sanniec

With your face on display every day, it’s important to address factors, such as the signs of aging, that affect your appearance and confidence. Wrinkles, jowls, sagging skin, and lax muscles in the lower portion of the face and neck can impact how you feel about your overall appearance and sense of well-being. Facelift and neck lift procedures can help revitalize and refresh your appearance, creating a youthful look. By taking 10 to 15 years off your appearance, facelifts or neck lifts can be the ideal treatments to help address these bothersome factors, restoring your youthful confidence.

With Midwest values and extensive medical expertise, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle Sanniec is a facial rejuvenation specialist who strives to make elite procedures available to the average person.

Are you interested in learning how a North Scottsdale facelift with Dr. Kyle Sanniec can enhance your more youthful appearance and boost your confidence? Contact us at (602)-786-1144 or complete our online form to request your consultation to begin your body contouring journey today!

What Is a Facelift?

A common anti-aging procedure for men and women, facelift surgery (rhytidectomy) is designed to address the signs of aging, like moderate to severe sagging and loss of elasticity, which creates creases, folds, and wrinkles on the face. Facelifts remove excess skin and redundant fat without creating visible scarring by placing incisions in the temples, hairline, and around the ears.

Typically, facelifts are ideal for patients in their late 40s up to 70 years of age to address aesthetic concerns stemming from genetics, aging, and environmental exposure. The signs of aging present differently for each individual, and facelifts can be customized to achieve dramatic anti-aging benefits and take 10 to 15 years off your appearance.

Types of Facelift Surgery in Phoenix, AZ

There are different techniques for a facelift. A common misconception is that a facelift just “pulls your skin back.”  The key to restoring the youthful appearance is the underlying subcutaneous and muscle tissue. Resuspending the deeper tissue of the face is key to longevity and restoring a more youthful appearance.

The SMAS (submuscular aponeurotic system) is the key to facial aging, and restoring it helps to rebalance the aging face. By understanding and addressing the deeper anatomy, Dr. Sanniec can correct the descent and volume loss that occurs with aging. Lifting the deeper anatomy allows for a more natural appearance and longer-term results.

Non-Surgical Skin Rejuvenation Options

Non-surgical treatments can be included with your facelift to help you achieve optimal results. These treatments may include skin rejuvenation treatments such as: 

FaceTite

FaceTite® is a non-surgical skin tightening procedure that addresses mild to moderate skin laxity for patients who aren’t candidates for surgical facial rejuvenation. With radiofrequency (RF) technology, FaceTite® can improve the appearance of the brows, forehead, nasolabial folds, cheeks, jowls, jawline, and neck with minimal downtime. FaceTite® procedures stimulate collagen production to help patients achieve a smoother, more even complexion.

BodyTite

Minimally invasive BodyTite® utilizes radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis to help liquefy fat for easier removal as it tightens the skin in the treated area. BodyTite® applies thermal energy inside and out by using a specialized device, and fat is extracted using cannulas. Patients typically notice results within 2 to 3 weeks; full results are visible in 3 to 6 months.

AccuTite

AccuTite® is specifically designed for small, delicate areas, such as the skin around the eyelids. With RF energy and RF-assisted lipolysis, AccuTite® skin tightening treatments improve skin laxity and tone and can reduce fat. Most patients experience noticeable AccuTite® results in 6 weeks, with continued improvements for up to a year.

PRP

PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a safe, effective treatment that utilizes the body’s healing abilities to rejuvenate the appearance of your skin. Harvested from your own blood, PRP is comprised of the liquid portion of the blood and cells called platelets, which contain growth factors and essential elements of the body’s healing capabilities, encouraging tissue regeneration in the treated areas.

Fat Grafting

Fat grafting allows you to rejuvenate the face with your own tissue. As we age, the cheeks and lips are often deflated, and fat grafting can reharmonize your face by adding additional volume. Additionally, this can serve as a permanent filler.

What Is a Neck Lift?

Neck lifts are designed to address the signs of aging, including jowls, sagging skin, redundant fat, and banding. By tightening and repositioning the underlying structure and muscles of the neck, a neck lift can help revitalize your overall facial appearance, delivering a slimmer, sleeker facial profile. Adding liposuction to your neck lift procedure may allow Dr. Sanniec to extract excess submental fat and further sculpt the area.

North Scottsdale neck lift procedures can improve the appearance of the neck to achieve a youthful facial profile by addressing the following:

  • Sagging skin 
  • Lax muscles
  • Poor jawline definition
  • Jowls or pre-jowls
  • Double chin
  • Fat deposits on jawline
  • Wrinkles on the neck
  • Muscle bands

Choosing Your Facelift and Neck Lift Surgeon in North Scottsdale with Dr. Kyle Sanniec

Dr. Sanniec graduated from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He then completed a fellowship and trained with world experts at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, the US World News Top Plastic Surgery program in the country. With a premier education from pioneers in the field, Dr. Sanniec learned how to perform primary and secondary aesthetic plastic surgeries in many ways, providing him the ability and knowledge to truly customize procedures to ensure his patients’ safety and optimal results.

Your Phoenix, AZ Facelift | Neck Lift Consultation

Don’t be alarmed if Dr. Sanniec tries to talk you out of plastic surgery during your facelift or neck lift consultation. Rather than convincing patients to get plastic surgery, Dr. Sanniec wants patients who have decided on their own that they want the procedure and will benefit from it. To ensure patient satisfaction, Dr. Sanniec focuses on treatments that deliver effective results that will age well with his patients. His goal is to have patients look “rested and refreshed” with a balanced appearance rather than an overtightened or “windswept” look that was the obvious hallmark of facelifting surgery for decades.

Dr. Sanniec will begin your consultation by getting to know you, discussing your goals and medical history, and considering whether he is the right surgeon for you. He will then determine the appropriate procedures by evaluating your face and neck, including bone structure, glandular tissue, muscles and fat, wrinkles and folds, skin texture, and laxity. During your consultation, he will discuss his philosophy of maximizing longevity and natural-looking, anatomically achievable results. Dr. Sanniec will always recommend the least invasive, lowest-risk method to achieve optimal results, including non-surgical alternatives. He aims to deliver beautiful, long-lasting enhancements that create balance with each patient’s natural physique and features.

Dr. Sanniec recognizes that your aesthetic treatments are an investment. As such, he may recommend a comprehensive treatment plan, including medical-grade skin care to prepare your skin, or non-surgical treatments that may optimize your overall results.

Dr. Kyle Sanniec

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Authenticity. Integrity. Honesty. These characteristics are the foundation of Dr. Kyle Sanniec’s practice. With Midwestern values of hard work and humility, Dr. Sanniec sees himself as “the regular person’s plastic surgeon.” Dr. Sanniec focuses on delivering elite-level plastic surgery to patients who never thought they would get plastic surgery—the woman who wants to feel better in a bathing suit after her third kid or the man who wants the reflection in the mirror to match who he feels like inside.

Dr. Kyle Sanniec in a blue suit outside smiling

Am I an Ideal Candidate for a West Valley Facelift | Neck Lift?

Ideal candidates for Arizona facelift and neck lift procedures are healthy men and women bothered by signs of aging in the mid to lower face or neck, such as sagging skin, wrinkles, or neck banding. They want to restore their youthful facial image to improve their confidence and self-image.

Candidates interested in North Scottsdale facelift or neck lift procedures should:

  • Be in good overall health and live a healthy lifestyle
  • Be a non-smoker or willing to quit all nicotine at least 4 weeks before and after surgery
  • Not be pregnant or breastfeeding and be finished childbearing
  • Have no medical conditions that may impair healing
  • Have a positive outlook and realistic goals for the procedure
  • Understand the surgical risks and benefits

Preparing for a Facelift | Neck Lift in Phoenix, AZ

You should be healthy before your facelift or neck lift procedure. Dr. Sanniec and his team will provide thorough instructions on preparing for surgery and recovery; however, here is some general information.

  • Complete at least 30 minutes of walking, or other activity, per day for at least a couple of weeks before surgery. Patients who complete more training and physical activity before surgery recover more quickly.
  • For several weeks before surgery, eat a nutritious, high-protein diet and minimize simple carbs.
  • Stay well-hydrated before and after surgery.
  • Dr. Sanniec may recommend visiting your primary physician for an examination and appropriate testing, such as routine blood work, to ensure you’re medically fit for surgery.
  • Smoking is detrimental to your overall health and can greatly impact your recovery and results. As such, Dr. Sanniec requires patients to stop smoking at least 4 weeks before and after surgery.
  • Take adequate time off work to ensure you can focus on recovery.
  • Prepare a clean, comfortable place in your home to recover. You may find it helpful to freeze meals or set up a food delivery service.
  • Fill prescriptions and procure all necessary supplies.
  • Arrange for assistance, including requesting a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours after your procedure. Coordinate help with household management or childcare for a few weeks following surgery.
  • Follow your pre-op medication protocol as determined during your consultation.
  • Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 48 hours before surgery. 
  • Engage in exercise the day before surgery to help with nervous energy.
  • Get plenty of rest the night before your procedure.
  • Wash and condition your hair before surgery. Place long hair in a ponytail or braid to minimize tangles and knots.

What to Expect During Your Facelift | Neck Lift Procedure

Avoid eating or drinking after midnight the night before your West Valley facelift or neck lift surgery. Take necessary medications with small sips of water. Come to the surgery center freshly showered and free of makeup, lotions, or deodorants. Wear comfortable, loose clothing that will be easy to put on after your procedure.

As Dr. Sanniec performs surgery at numerous hospitals and surgery centers in the Phoenix metropolitan area, he will discuss the most convenient time and place for your surgery during your consultation. It’s important to note the surgery center to ensure you arrive at the correct location 60 to 90 minutes before your scheduled surgery to check in and sign necessary documents.

You will then meet with Dr. Sanniec and your board-certified anesthesia provider to review the details of your procedure and answer any final questions. Then, Dr. Sanniec will make surgical markings, and you will be taken to the operating room. 

Facelift Procedures

Dr. Sanniec will begin your facelift using the correct technique appropriate for your anatomy and goals. Dr. Sanniec will make small, well-concealed incisions in the hairline, around the ears, and into the scalp. From these incisions, he will remove excess skin and elevate and tighten the underlying structures. He will then re-drape the remaining skin to create firmer, tighter facial contours and a smoother, younger-looking appearance.

After achieving the desired changes, Dr. Sanniec will meticulously place sutures and cover the incisions that should remain in place until your first post-operative appointment. Your face and neck may be covered with thick dressings. If Dr. Sanniec places drainage tubes, these will be removed at your first appointment. Depending on the individual characteristics of your procedure, facelifts typically take 4 to 6 hours.

Neck Lift Procedures

If Dr. Sanniec recommends adding liposuction to your neck lift, he will first perform this procedure to eliminate excess fat. Then, he will make small, well-concealed incisions near the ears to remove the excess skin and fat and tighten the underlying muscles for a smoother, more defined jawline and youthful-looking neck.

After achieving the desired changes, Dr. Sanniec will place sutures and cover the incisions with steri-strips that should remain in place until your first post-operative appointment. Your neck may be covered with a compression garment or chin strap. When performed as a solo procedure, neck lifts take 2 to 3 hours, depending on the individual characteristics of the procedure.

View Real Patient Results

View our gallery to see Dr. Sanniec’s outstanding and natural-looking results of real patients’ before and after photos.

What to Expect After Your East Valley Facelift | Neck Lift

Facelifts and neck lifts are typically outpatient procedures, so you return home the same day. It’s important to arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home from your procedure and help you with household tasks for at least a few days. Immediately following your procedure, your face may be covered by a face and neck bandage. Sutures are typically removed 5 to 10 days after surgery.

Following your facelift or neck lift, you may experience mild to moderate discomfort and social downtime for the first few weeks. It’s important to expect mild bruising, swelling, soreness, tenderness, and muscle tightness that may last 2 weeks or more. These effects will gradually subside over the next few weeks. Dr. Sanniec may prescribe pain, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nausea medications or recommend over-the-counter medications to alleviate discomfort. 

After your procedure, Dr. Sanniec may fit you with a compression garment to minimize swelling, support your tissues, and promote recovery. Wear your garment, as recommended by Dr. Sanniec. To ensure a healthy recovery, Dr. Sanniec recommends light walking the night of your procedure and up to 3 to 5 times each day afterward. However, it’s important to avoid strenuous activities, such as exercise or heavy lifting, that increase your heart rate for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Patients may resume light exercises like walking or riding a stationary bike within 2 weeks.

Facelift and neck lift recovery greatly depend upon the extent of the procedures and your body’s healing abilities. Patients typically need 1 to 2 weeks for initial recovery, and then they feel well enough to resume working. Full recovery may take 3 to 6 months.

Partner with Dr. Kyle Sanniec—North Scottsdale’s Premier Plastic Surgeon

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle Sanniec is an expert in facial rejuvenation procedures to help you reclaim your youthful appearance and enhance your confidence.

Learn about facelift near me in North Scottsdale by calling (602)-786-1144 or completing our online form to schedule your consultation today!

Facelift | Neck Lift FAQs in Scottsdale, AZ

To create smoother, more defined facial contours, Dr. Sanniec may recommend complementary procedures to help you achieve dramatic facial rejuvenation. Combining procedures can help patients achieve their aesthetic goals more quickly without requiring multiple surgeries and recoveries, making it a more cost-effective option.

Complementary procedures for a facelift or neck lift may include:

After a facelift, patients will experience social downtime for the first couple of weeks after surgery. Patients should expect mild swelling and bruising for approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Sutures are typically removed within 5 to 10 days following surgery. Swelling typically dissipates by 6 weeks with full results visible in 3 to 6 months.

Following neck lift surgery, patients experience mild swelling and bruising for approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Residual swelling may last for several weeks to months.

Following Dr. Sanniec’s post-operative instructions, such as maintaining a balanced diet and consistent exercise routine and protecting your skin against sun exposure, will help you maintain long-lasting results from your East Valley facelift or neck lift procedure.

Neck Liposuction is a targeted way to get rid of that stubborn fat underneath your chin. This allows for a more streamlined contour of the neckline and can often help get rid of that thick tissue that can be so hard to improve with exercise alone. Additionally, it can allow some skin tightening as well. This requires less downtown and is done with several small, minimally invasive incisions. 

Figure out your Why? Patients should do some background reading and think through what their goals are of getting their surgery.  Additionally, patients should come in with a list of the top 3 things they are hoping to achieve from the surgery so we can make sure we are focused on achieving their goals.   

You will want to make sure you are going into surgery as strong as possible.  I encourage all patients to exercise and walk as often as they can prior to the surgery.  In addition to being great for your overall health, this helps you body get pre-conditioned so you go into surgery as strong as possible and can bounce back quicker after surgery if you have an improved baseline of conditioning.

This can depend on what all is done during the procedure and if you are combining it with other procedures.  In general, it can take 4-6 hours to undergo a facelift.

The age range can vary, usually 50s-70s for primary facelifts, but some patients will have facelift procedures done in their 40s depending on what they are trying to treat.

There are a couple non-surgical options, mostly related to placement of neuromodulators and fillers as well as skin tightening treatments with lasers or peels. Often in-office procedures like a thread lift can be performed for slight correction and improvement without undergoing a surgery.  It is important to remember with all of these, that non-surgical  treatments will not provide as much correction as a surgical treatment and the results will not last as long.

A liquid facelift is placement of fillers to increase the volume of the tissue underneath the skin of the face.  This is usually done in the office.  These results are temporary and depending on the filler can last 1-2 years.  A traditional facelift is done under general anesthesia and excises and lifts the underlying tissue to restore a more youthful appearance.  This does have more downtime as this requires an incision but lasts longer and “resets” the facial aging process rather than simply masking it with fillers.

Depending on the type of facelift procedure you have any additional procedures done, you will have swelling and bruising.  Most patients try and lay low for 1-2 weeks after the procedure

You can start with light walking/movement around 2 weeks after your procedure, but I recommend you avoid strenuous activities that will get your heart rate elevated for 6-8 weeks.

This depends on the type of work you do and how comfortable you are working while still healing/swollen.  Most patients return to work in 1-2 weeks, if they have jobs that require heavy lifting/straining they may take 4-6 weeks to get back to work. 

Smoking is not an absolute contra-indication for getting a facelift but it does increase the risk of complications and the skin not healing like we want it to.  I recommend patients stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery and 6-8 weeks after to minimize this risk, but it is preferable that patients don’t smoke at all.

The main risks are associated with the anesthesia as well as a hematoma (bleeding) after your surgery.  You will have numbness to your face after surgery but this usually resolves over the 2-3 month healing process.  Rarely patients can have difficulty moving the muscles of their face afterward, but this is usually transitory and resolves during the postop period.