Say goodbye to turkey neck: Reclaiming your neckline with plastic surgery

Let's talk turkey. No, not the one you are preparing to put on your Thanksgiving table. Let's talk about "turkey neck." That loose, sagging skin around the neck that resembles one of the most identifiable parts of a turkey.

If you have your own wobbling gobbler, it can feel like winter is the best time of the year because you can hide beneath turtleneck sweaters and stylish scarves. However, there are plastic surgery options that can help you reclaim your neckline and bust that turkey neck, so the only gobblers you'll see are the ones at your dinner table.

What is a turkey neck?

Before we go any further, let's clearly define what a turkey neck is.

"Turkey neck refers to loss of skin tone and texture with aging, sun damage and lifestyle-related changes to the skin and soft tissues of the neck, resulting in a loose 'turkey waddle,' excess fat and loss of definition of the jawline," said Karen Horton, MD, MSc, FACS.

Essentially, it is sagging skin along the neckline, along with loss of skin elasticity.

"We typically see excess skin with looseness of the underlying platysma muscle and often descent of the deep neck structures as well," said Kristy Hamilton, MD.

The dreaded wobble can be caused by a combination of sagging skin and a loss of muscle tone, common issues that occur as individuals age. However, with the increase in popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, individuals experiencing rapid weight loss may also be prone to developing turkey neck.

"Any type of significant weight loss and the associated 'deflation,' whether driven by GLP-1s, gastric sleeve surgery or natural weight loss, can create a turkey neck," said Dr. Hamilton. "We are seeing more of this phenomenon in increasingly younger patients since weight loss success with the GLP-1s is now so common."

How plastic surgery can help you reclaim your neckline

If you want to wipe out the wobble, the best option is a surgical procedure called a neck lift.

"The only true way to remove excess neck skin is a surgical neck lift," said Dr. Horton. "Countless machines promise real results, but the outcome is usually disappointing. A neck lift will remove excess neck skin, lift sagging soft tissues, known as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), reestablish a more defined jawline and correct undesirable features of aging in both men and women."

While there are other options, the neck lift truly reigns supreme for turkey neck.

"The absolute gold standard is a face and neck lift, specifically a deep, structural one that addresses all anatomical considerations, not simply excess skin," said Dr. Hamilton.

A neck lift aims to improve the appearance of the neck and help create a refined jawline. Excess skin and fat are removed during the procedure, and the underlying muscles may be tightened, creating a smooth neckline that makes the turkey wattle disappear.

The type of neck lift procedure that is right for a patient depends on their anatomy and the aesthetic results they wish to achieve.

"I personally offer patients the MACS lift, which stands for minimal access cranial suspension," said Dr. Horton. "It is a type of lower facelift that includes the neck."

A board-certified plastic surgeon can evaluate your goals, anatomy, medical history and other factors before suggesting the type of neck lift that can offer the results you are pursuing.

For patients struggling with turkey neck thanks to rapid weight loss or those on GLP-1 medications, patience may be your friend, however.

"I recommend patients complete their weight loss and have a stable weight for at least six months before considering any surgical treatment," said Dr. Horton. "I also recommend stopping these medications a month before surgery and not restarting for a month after surgery."

Can noninvasive treatments take the wobble out of your neck?

Yes and no. The answer to this question is tricky because some noninvasive treatment options can yield subtle results. Still, they cannot replicate the dramatic improvement in sagging that surgery can achieve. Patients who may not experience significant neck sagging or who want a less dramatic change in their neck appearance have a few noninvasive options to avoid surgery.

"For patients with more minor neck laxity, you can consider minimally invasive tightening treatments such as QuantumRF by InMode," said Dr. Hamilton. "For the most subtle changes, noninvasive tightening like that offered by Morpheus8, Ultherapy or Sofwave can be considered."

Injectables and fillers can provide a slight improvement in the appearance of turkey neck. Dermal fillers can somewhat improve skin texture and volume and may help refine the look of the neck and jawline. Ultherapy and other skin-tightening treatments can stimulate collagen production, thereby tightening the skin and achieving a more youthful appearance. However, the results of these noninvasive treatments are temporary and may not yield a significant difference for individuals with excess skin or significant laxity.

There are still other noninvasive options for patients not ready to take the surgical plunge.

"Results will be limited when you bring in noninvasive treatments, but these can offer some minor benefits," said Dr. Horton. "For loss of skin tone and texture, some nonsurgical treatments such as Clear + Brilliant, intense pulsed light (IPL), non-ablative laser and/or microneedling can stimulate increased collagen production, help with skin pigmentation irregularities and brighten skin appearance and hydration. Injectable treatments such as Botox to platysmal bands and/or filler to creases in the neck can help restore a more youthful look as well, but nothing compares to surgery!"

Dr. Hamilton said that without a doubt, the option that offers the best results is the neck lift.

The issue with many noninvasive procedures is that, because they don't offer dramatic results, patients may walk away feeling disappointed when there is still some jiggle in the neck area or the skin still appears slightly loose. While the popularity of noninvasive procedures continues to grow, the neck lift remains the "gold standard" for delivering striking and longer-lasting results.

If you want a turkey – the bird – to take center stage this holiday, the neck lift may be the best way to bust sagging skin and whittle away loose pockets of fat. It also means you can finally tell family and friends to take scarves and turtlenecks off their holiday gift list!

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.