Neck Lift In San Diego

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the neck to deal with age-related wrinkling and creasing and provide a smoother and slimmer profile for a more youthful appearance. Patients with significant dropping tissue in their necks, a neck lift will give them the best results because it smooths the jawline and restores the longer neck of youth. Also known as platysmaplasty, a neck lift addresses excess fat, double chin and hanging neck as in ‘turkey neck.’

Before & After Gallery

Facelift La Jolla
Facelift San Diego
Facelift La Jolla
Facelift San Diego

Patient Selfies

Real patient, Deep Plane Facelift Before and After - Malone Plastic Surgery San Diego

Extended Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift Before and After- Dr. Malone performed her extended Deep Plane Facelift with Necklift (Platysmaplasty) for this patient. This procedure is a shorter incision technique that can result in powerfully natural results to lift the cheeks, tone the jawline and tighten the neck. As we age the lower face starts to feel widened and heavier, resulting in a more square face shape that can feel masculinizing to many women. Lifting the muscles and cheek fat pads as well as reducing the redundant buccal fat pads will recreate a more tapered lower face shape, recreating the heart shaped face that we associate with feminine youth. We are absolutely floored by this lovely patient's naturally beautiful transformation.

Real patient, Deep Plane Facelift Before and After - Malone Plastic Surgery San Diego

Extended Deep Plane Facelift Before and After - Dr. Malone performs her signature Extended Deep Plane Facelift with Platysmaplasty for those patients who desire to have their cheeks lifted, jawline toned, and neck tightened up as well. Our patient sent us her own before and after selfies showing how the facelift procedure will lift and support the cheeks and nasolabial folds, smooth the jawline and also tighten the neck. While this patient looks more youthful we love her naturally refreshed outcome.

Real patient, Facelift Before and After - Malone Plastic Surgery San Diego

Facelift Before and After - To complete this full facial rejuvenation, Dr. Malone performed an Extended Deep Plane Facelift, Platysmaplasty, Lateral Temporal Brow Lift, Lower Eyelid Lift with Fat Repositioning, and a Lip Lift with a Lip Plumping Graft. This comprehensive facial rejuvenation has her looking 15 years younger. She took a selfie before her surgery and again when she was healed and sent us these to tell us that she is overjoyed! We are in awe of her naturally beautiful transformation.

Real patient, Mini Facelift Before and After - Malone Plastic Surgery San Diego

Mini Facelift Before and After - Dr. Malone performed her signature minimal access Deep Plane Facelift on this patient and these before and after pictures she sent to us from her home using her phone to create her own result pictures! Many patients present in their early to mid 40s wanting to lift up their cheeks and smooth and tighten their jawline. While this patient looks refreshed she does not look at all as though she has had work done. Dr. Malone has published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal on this facelift technique and customizes her treatment for each individual patient.

See a real patient's journey

What are the Benefits of a Neck Lift?

There are many great advantages of a neck lift for you, including:

  • Eliminates the double chin or turkey wattle that genetics and aging create and which can be perceived as weight gain
  • Gets rid of jowls that result from losing volume in your cheeks and your jawline beginning to sag
  • Fixes turkey wattle by trimming excess skin and tightening the loose muscles of the neck because of the loss of collagen, the protein responsible for the firm appearance of your skin, and the weakening of the underlying neck muscles
  • Disposes of vertical bands by elevating the skin in the lower face and neck and tightening the underlying muscles
  • Erases wrinkles that result from collagen breakdown and exposure to the sun over the years
  • Hides scars through minimal incisions hidden in the hairline or behind the ears so they are not noticeable to other people
  • Short recovery time with most patients returning to work after a few days

Am I a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?

The best candidates for a neck lift in San Diego are non-smokers who are in generally good health and have a realistic expectation about the outcome. People with sagging and/or wrinkling of the neck can definitely benefit from a neck lift procedure.

Recovery from a Neck Lift

You may feel your neck a little stiff or tight after your procedure. Dr. Malone can prescribe medication for pain relief. There may be some bruising and swelling that fades after a couple of weeks. It takes several weeks to make a full recovery from a neck lift although most patients return to work after one week. For the first several weeks, you should avoid turning your head from side to side and any activity involving bending your head. You will need to keep your head elevated during sleep for a week or two.

Neck lift San Diego

During your consultation with Dr. Malone, you will have an opportunity to talk to her about what you would like to get done and what your apprehension may be for the procedure. Dr. Malone will evaluate your situation and your health in order to create a customized plan based on your individual facial anatomy and personal preferences to address your needs and the best facial rejuvenation treatment for you.

  • Jowls
  • Jawline
  • Neck

Schedule a Personalized Consultation Today

A neck lift procedure can take a few hours and can be performed with no general anesthesia. You will be given intravenous sedation and be sleeping.


Incisions are hidden and used discreetly. Dr. Malone will carefully lift the muscles of the neck and remove excess skin and fat before closing the incisions using sutures or other materials. She may add a dressing around your head and underneath the chin and, if necessary, place drains.

Combining a neck lift with another facial rejuvenation procedure to create a more balanced and youthful appearance. Examples: a neck and facelifts can target sagging skin in the lower part of your face and in your neck while a neck lift and blepharoplasty can take care of droopy eyelids and neck or double chin.

There are also many great options for treatments without undergoing any surgery. Dr. Malone’s practice in La Jolla has many different laser devices for face and neck tightening as well as injectable treatments to provide a non-surgical neck lift.

Real patient, Facelift Before and After - Malone Plastic Surgery San Diego

Facelift Before and After - To complete this full facial rejuvenation, Dr. Malone performed an Extended Deep Plane Facelift, Platysmaplasty, Lateral Temporal Brow Lift, Lower Eyelid Lift with Fat Repositioning, and a Lip Lift with a Lip Plumping Graft. This comprehensive facial rejuvenation has her looking 15 years younger. She took a selfie before her surgery and again when she was healed and sent us these to tell us that she is overjoyed! We are in awe of her naturally beautiful transformation.

“You have helped me more than you’ll ever know. You possess the qualities not only of an excellent physician but of an extraordinary human being as well.” —Facelift, lip lift, chin implant (F.K.)

“Thank you for the smile on my face whenever I look in the mirror, you’re an incredible lady and surgeon” —Facelift, Lip Lift, Laser skin resurfacing (B.P.)

“Dr. Malone is great! She is very friendly, honest, clear and understanding. Never had to wait longer then 10 minutes. It is easy to make an appointment by phone or email. Truly pleased with the results!” —Botox (C.V.)

“I am 69 years old and had a deep plane face lift with Dr. Malone my results are fabulous. She is an excellent surgeon and a caring kind person as well. Would highly recommend her.” —Deep Plane Facelift (aerobicgal)

“Not only did she straighten out my nose and significantly improve my breathing but she was very attentive and had a great bedside manner! I've had nothing but complements on how good my new nose looks!” —Septoplasty (M.H.)

“She is kind, caring, listened to and addressed all of my concerns, explained everything in detail, and was always available, before and after surgery.” —Facelift (B.)

“If I could give her 10 stars I would! She was very attentive during AND after the visit and her bed side manner is impeccable. I would recommend her a million times over to anyone looking for an amazing MD.” —Restylane (S.D.)

“I saw Dr. Malone back in Nov 2017, she was an absolute delight. I knew I was in good hands. Her empathetic bedside manner made me feel confident in her abilities to give me the exact results I envisioned. ” —Rhinoplasty (N.K.)

Real patient, Mini Facelift Before and After - Malone Plastic Surgery San Diego

Mini Facelift Before and After - Dr. Malone performed her signature minimal access Deep Plane Facelift on this patient and these before and after pictures she sent to us from her home using her phone to create her own result pictures! Many patients present in their early to mid 40s wanting to lift up their cheeks and smooth and tighten their jawline. While this patient looks refreshed she does not look at all as though she has had work done. Dr. Malone has published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal on this facelift technique and customizes her treatment for each individual patient.

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr Melanie Malone MD, FACS

Dr. Malone's approach in La Jolla is all about personalization, tailoring treatments specifically to address your unique concerns and aesthetic goals. Our goal is to bring out a rejuvenated appearance that mirrors the vitality you feel within. Dr. Malone's expertise ensures seamless enhancements, avoiding any unwarranted attention. She achieves the subtle refreshment that helps bring back what a restful night's sleep used to give. Dr. Malone's aesthetic is characterized by its natural, gentle, and harmonious qualities, empowering you to confidently present your best self. Her aspiration is to assist every patient in achieving a naturally balanced aesthetic, ensuring you always project your most confident self.

Dr. Malone holds prestigious Fellow status in The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and The American College of Surgeons. This remarkable honor is granted to a select group of surgeons based on their exceptional training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical standards.

Committed to perfecting her craft and achieving technical excellence, Dr. Malone successfully completed her fellowship under the mentorship of the esteemed facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono. Dr. Jacono is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in advancing the deep plane facelift technique, which not only minimizes noticeable scarring but also revitalizes the underlying facial tissues. This innovative approach steers clear of the artificial results commonly linked to traditional facelift methods. Leveraging Dr. Jacono's pioneering technique, Dr. Malone offers her patients remarkably natural and authentic outcomes in facial rejuvenation.

Learn More About Dr. Malone

American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery American Acadeny of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. American College of Surgeons American College of Surgeons Columbia University QUAD A

Get a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Malone in her storied practice in La Jolla, CA

4150 Regents Park Row, Ste. 280, La Jolla, CA

    Become a Malone MD Insider

Call Today (858) 633-3350 or Request Above