Do you feel it’s time to do something about your neck? Crepey skin, a turkey gobbler, a double chin, and vertical banding can age your look before you know it. Neck lift surgery or rejuvenation procedures can firm up, smooth out, and define you.
La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre 9850 Genesee Ave Suite 130
La Jolla, CA 92037 Call: (858) 452-1981Text: (858) 203-2944 M–F: 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Neck Lift, T-Z Plasty, and Neck Rejuvenation in San Diego
Neck lift and facelift surgery go hand-in-hand to provide unmatched facial rejuvenation. The T-Z plasty is an alternative approach that tackles central neck laxity (turkey gobbler) without a long incision or a facelift. If you are not ready for surgery or just noticing signs of aging, our neck rejuvenation procedures can help.
A neck lift is a surgical procedure. It is often performed to continue the rejuvenating benefits of a facelift down to the collarbone. It targets problems a facelift alone cannot, such as:
Loose, crepey neck skin
Excess fatty deposits under the chin
Vertical muscle banding in the neck
Jowling
What To Expect
At LJCSC, our surgeons usually perform neck lift surgery as part of a facelift. They can perform a neck lift using general anesthetic. The surgery takes 1 to 3 hours to complete. Depending on the extent of correction needed, they place an incision behind the ear or create a tiny incision under the chin.
Recovery
Discomfort is typically mild to moderate after a neck lift and can be controlled with prescription pain medication. The neck area may feel numb and tight initially.
"I have so much confidence in Dr Breister that the results will be natural and provide the tightening and refreshed look I am aiming for. My …"
Apr 2, 2026
"From the initial consultation to the pre-op, the morning of surgery, waking up in the recovery room- it was such a nice experience. Care was…"
Mar 6, 2026
"I love my results and the care Dr. Brahme provided as well as his staff. My results look natural. I have been told I look "refreshed." It's …"
Feb 20, 2026
What Is a T-Z Plasty?
A T-Z plasty is a neck lift that directly addresses wrinkly, crepey skin of the central neck, often called a turkey gobbler or wattle. Dr. Hector Salazar is known for his expertise in this innovative technique. He uses a T-shaped incision that runs along the neck crease and then down the midline of the neck over the Adam’s apple. He creates a Z-pattern when closing the incision to minimize tension and make the resulting scar less noticeable.
Candidates for T-Z Plasty
While women benefit from the T-Z plasty, ideal candidates are men who:
Are age 50 and over
Want to address loose skin under the neck
Do not want a facelift
Want to avoid a long incision in the hairline
Benefits
The T-Z plasty gives the surgeon direct access to the neck muscles, fat, and excess tissue.
Scars are not visible at eye level in a normal conversation with others and can be concealed by facial hair if desired.
Recovery is quicker than a traditional neck lift.
What To Expect
Dr. Salazar performs the surgery using general anesthesia to minimize the amount of local anesthetic needed in the surgical area that can distort results. The surgery takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete. After surgery, the incision is covered with Steri-Strips and gauze, and a compression wrap called a “jaw bra” is placed under the chin and around the top of the head.
Recovery
Discomfort after T-Z pasty is usually minimal and can be controlled with prescription medication. You will need to wear the jaw bra continuously (except when showering) for the first 2 weeks, then at night for another week.
Return to nonstrenuous work: 5 to 7 days
Resume exercise: 2 weeks
Final results: 2 months
Dr. Salazar | What is The T-Z Plasty and Who is it For?
Design the New You
Not sure how to get the look you want? Tell us about your goals, and we’ll show you the possibilities.
Combining nonsurgical neck rejuvenation procedures with a neck lift can restore firm, youthful definition. The following are effective options:
Ultherapy® uses ultrasound energy to firm, smooth, and tighten the neck and jawline within 2 to 3 months.
Morpheus8® RF microneedling makes the skin firmer, smoother, and tighter using tiny needles that release radiofrequency energy into the deeper layers.
Neck liposuction removes isolated areas of fat from under the chin (double chin) and along the neck. When performed on its own, this procedure is best for people who have good skin elasticity. Liposuction is less invasive than a neck lift and involves tiny incisions hidden under the ears or chin.
Your Safety Is Our #1 Priority
Since 1988, more than 36,000 patients have had safe, successful procedures at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre.
During your free consultation, one of our board-certified plastic surgeons will do the following:
Listen to your goals and determine which procedure is most appropriate for you.
Perform a physical exam to determine whether it’s necessary to target the skin, muscle, fat, or a combination.
Review the proposed procedure, how it’s performed, and what to expect during recovery.
Show you before-and-after pictures of their real patients.
Give you a specific, written quote detailing all the costs.
After scheduling your surgery, you’ll attend an individual “pre-op” appointment to discuss the surgical risks and the steps of the entire operative process so you know what to expect.
MODEL
Get Started
We make it easy to take your next steps toward confidence with 3 convenient ways to connect with our team. In just a few clicks, you can call us now, book a call, or request a call back to explore options at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre—San Diego’s most awarded and trusted cosmetic practice!
![[The La Jolla Cosmetic Podcast cover art] San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar walking into a patient consultation](https://www.ljcsc.com/content/uploads/2025/03/LJC188-blog.jpg)
![[The La Jolla Cosmetic Podcast cover art] successful T-Z Plasty result by Dr. Salazar](https://www.ljcsc.com/content/uploads/2023/09/Copy-of-blog-featured-image-1.png)
