Double Chin vs Turkey Neck: Which Surgery Fixes What

The face and neckline are among the most noticeable areas of aesthetic appearance. However, sagging, fullness, or looseness may occur in the lower jaw and neck area due to aging, weight changes, or genetic factors. These conditions are commonly referred to as double chin and turkey neck, each indicating a different aesthetic problem. A double chin refers to fat accumulation and slight sagging under the chin, while a turkey neck is characterized by noticeable sagging of the neck skin and muscle tissue. If you are wondering which surgery should be performed for which condition, you can take a look at our content. This way, you can get detailed information about the differences between chin and turkey neck problems, the surgical methods that can be applied, and the aesthetic results. We wish you all healthy days and enjoyable reading.

What is a Double Chin?

A double chin is an aesthetic condition that results from fat accumulation and skin laxity in the submental region. This condition typically arises from a combination of factors such as weight gain, aging, and genetics, leading to a loss of definition in the jawline. Thus, excess fat and loose skin under the chin cause the lower part of the face to appear fuller and the neckline to appear shorter or less defined. Furthermore, double chin is not only related to excess weight; some people may experience fat and skin sagging in the submental region genetically, even if they are at their ideal weight. This condition can be both aesthetically and profile-wise unsightly. Therefore, treatment options include liposuction, mini neck lift, or combined surgical methods, and the right method is determined based on the person's age, skin elasticity, and degree of sagging.

What is Double Jaw Surgery?

Double chin surgery is an aesthetic surgical procedure that aims to correct the appearance of a double chin caused by excess fat and loose skin under the chin. The main goal of this procedure is to define the jawline and give the neckline a tighter, more youthful appearance. Therefore, in mild to moderate cases, excess fat tissue is removed through liposuction to reshape the jawline; if skin elasticity is sufficient, the skin can be tightened through small incisions. In cases of more advanced sagging or laxity, mini neck lift or combined surgical techniques may be applied to support both the skin and underlying muscle tissue. The most appropriate technique is determined during the preoperative evaluation, taking into account the individual's skin structure, age, degree of sagging, and aesthetic goals. Thus, a properly planned and performed double chin surgery reduces the fullness under the chin and provides a younger and more aesthetic appearance in the neck line.

How is Double Chin Surgery Performed?

Double chin surgery is generally performed under local anesthesia or sedation. However, in some cases, general anesthesia is preferred. During the procedure, the surgeon uses liposuction to remove excess fat under the chin, thereby reducing the fatty tissue under the skin and giving the neckline a smoother contour. If skin elasticity is insufficient or there is slight sagging, mini neck lift techniques are used to tighten and lift the skin through small incisions. The incisions are usually hidden in the creases under the ears or chin, so the scars are minimal. Thus, after the procedure, the patient can return to their social life shortly after the swelling and bruising subside and achieve a permanent, aesthetic jawline with proper care.

Benefits of Double Jaw Surgery

Double chin surgery offers numerous benefits to the individual. These benefits provide both psychological and physical advantages. To review these benefits:

• The lower jawline achieves a sharper and more aesthetic appearance thanks to double chin surgery.
• The neck appears tighter as loose skin and fat tissue are reduced.
• The lower face area gains a more proportionate and youthful appearance.
• Fat accumulation and slight sagging under the chin are reduced.
• Genetic or localized fat problems can be corrected with surgery.
• Minimally invasive techniques allow for a quick return to social life.
• When the surgery is properly planned, it provides lasting aesthetic benefits.
• A younger and smoother chin and neck line increases the person's satisfaction with their appearance.

What is a Turkey Neck?

A turkey neck is an aesthetic condition that occurs as a result of the skin and muscle tissue in the neck area loosening and sagging over time. This condition gets its name from the appearance of the sagging skin and muscles, which resembles the neck of a turkey. The turkey neck appearance generally becomes more pronounced with the aging process, due to loss of skin elasticity and the effects of gravity; sometimes genetic factors can also cause it to appear at an early age. In addition, turkey neck causes the line between the lower jaw and the neck to disappear and the neck profile to appear older or fuller. Therefore, while mild cases can be resolved with a mini neck lift, more advanced sagging may require a full neck lift surgery. Ultimately, these surgeries tighten both the skin and the neck muscles, restoring a more defined and youthful appearance to the neckline.

What is a Turkey Neck Surgery?

Turkey neck surgery is an aesthetic surgical procedure that aims to correct the turkey neck appearance caused by sagging skin and muscle tissue in the neck area. This surgery is performed especially in cases where the line between the lower jaw and the neck has lost its definition and the neck skin has become loose. During the procedure, the surgeon reshapes and tightens the neck line by gathering the sagging skin and, if necessary, the lower neck muscles. In mild cases, the skin can be gathered using a mini neck lift with only small incisions, while a full neck lift is preferred in cases of severe sagging. As a result, when properly planned, a turkey neck surgery tightens the neck and lower jawline, giving a youthful and aesthetic profile appearance.

How is a Neck Lift Performed?

A neck lift is usually performed under general anesthesia, and the surgeon removes excess skin from the neck and under the chin through incisions. In mild cases, a mini neck lift is performed using only small incisions to tighten the skin, while in more severe cases of sagging, a full neck lift is performed; in this method, both the skin and neck muscles are repositioned to achieve tightness. The incisions made during surgery are mostly hidden behind the ears, behind the ears, or in the hairline, so that the surgical scar remains minimal. For patients who are particularly concerned about scarring and recovery, the topic is explained in detail in the article “Does Neck Lift Surgery Leave Scars? When Does It Heal?”. Thus, swelling and bruising are normal in the postoperative period, but they decrease over time; with proper care and scar treatment, the neck line gains a firm, youthful, and aesthetic appearance.

Benefits of Neck Surgery

Turkey neck surgery offers many benefits to the individual. As with any surgery, these benefits provide both psychological and physical advantages. Examining these benefits in detail:

• Sagging skin and muscle tissue are tightened, resulting in a younger and firmer appearance.
• The line between the lower jaw and neck becomes more defined, improving the aesthetic profile.
• Sagging that causes a turkey neck appearance is reduced.
• The lower face and neck area appear more balanced and proportionate.
• Sagging due to genetics or aging is corrected surgically.
• The neckline is permanently tightened after surgery.
• A more vibrant appearance is achieved as sagging and looseness in the neck area are eliminated.
• An aesthetically corrected neckline boosts the individual's self-confidence.

So, Which Surgery Is Applicable in Which Situation? Double Chin Surgery? Turkey Neck Surgery?

The choice of surgery varies depending on the type of aesthetic problem in the chin and neck area. If the problem is limited to excess fat accumulation under the chin and slight skin sagging, double chin surgery is usually preferred; this procedure defines the jawline and tightens the neckline using liposuction or mini neck lift techniques. On the other hand, if there is significant sagging, loose skin, and muscle tissue in the neck area, meaning the line between the lower jaw and neck is lost, a turkey neck surgery is performed; in this surgery, the skin and, if necessary, muscle tissue are tightened to firm up the neck line. In some patients, excess fat under the chin and severe sagging may occur together; in such cases, double chin and turkey neck surgery are combined to reduce fat tissue and tighten the neckline. For individuals considering neck lift surgery in Turkey, the choice of surgery is determined by a specialist surgeon, taking into account the person's skin elasticity, degree of sagging, age, and aesthetic expectations.

If you would like detailed information about double chin and turkey neck surgeries, you can contact Dr. Berke Özücer and his team, who specialize in neck lift surgery, for a comprehensive evaluation within the scope of facial plastic surgery Turkey.