Joanne, a long-time surgical technician at Nayak Plastic Surgery in St. Louis, Missouri, celebrated her 40th birthday with a major transformation—a deep neck lift performed by her employer, Dr. Mike Nayak.
The procedure not only reshaped her neck but also helped put the clinic on the map. Joanne’s striking results, later enhanced by a 40-pound weight loss, made headlines and gained admiration worldwide—even earning her the nickname “celebrity neck” at industry events in Brazil.
From Assistant to Patient: A Professional Decision
Having assisted with hundreds of plastic surgeries, Joanne had firsthand knowledge of the procedures. In 2017, she asked Dr. Nayak whether liposuction could enhance her neckline for her birthday.
“He said, ‘No, you really need to carve out the structure,’” she told People. Instead of liposuction, Dr. Nayak recommended a deep neck lift—an advanced procedure that reshapes the underlying tissue rather than removing excess skin.
“She actually had no skin removed,” said Dr. Nayak. “All the changes came from shaping the tissue underneath. The skin followed naturally.”
Inside the Procedure: Minimally Invasive, Long-Lasting Results
The surgery took just over two hours and involved a single hidden incision behind the chin.
“There are no incisions around the ears,” Dr. Nayak explained. “That’s the advantage of a standalone neck lift. The results are natural because we change the patient’s anatomy, not just the fat.”
Liposuction alone wasn’t suitable, he noted, because it only affects surface fat. Joanne’s case required deeper tissue reshaping for the ideal outcome.
Recovery and Results: “I’d Do It Again”
Joanne, now 47, recovered in about 10 days. She admitted the surgery was more painful than expected but had no regrets.
“I’d do it all over again,” she said.
She shared that her family and coworkers were highly supportive. “When you look at yourself every day, you lose perspective,” she added, noting how others helped her see the transformation more clearly.
Her 40-pound weight loss in the year following the surgery made the results even more pronounced, although she noticed only minimal skin looseness.
A Neck Lift Designed for Younger Patients
Dr. Nayak recommends standalone neck lifts for patients in their 30s or younger. After that age, most patients require a lower facelift along with the neck lift to achieve the same effect.
“The neck lift is like a little window. Once it’s done, it’s done,” he said. “If someone gets a facelift later, they won’t need another neck lift. Their neck will always look great.”
Price and Demand: A Premium Service With a Waitlist
Dr. Nayak’s deep neck lifts currently start at $70,000, though pricing depends on case complexity and is clearly outlined on his website. Employees receive discounted rates. Patients must undergo a consultation before scheduling, and the waiting list is currently over a year long.
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