Understanding Neck Lift
A neck lift is a procedure to enhance the appearance of your neck. This procedure includes removing the excess skin, removing or altering neck muscles and removing the excess fat. Botox injections may also be done in order to implant fullness to the neck.
Many individuals neglect the appearance of their neck; however, the neck is one of the first places where signs of age start to show. Additionally, sun damage or extreme weight loss may contribute to the skin on a person’s neck looking loose, sagging, and aged. While we go to great measures to preserve or improve the appearance of our facial skin, it is equally important to tend to the neck. If your neck skin appears to have lost its natural elasticity and sags, or if there is excess skin or fat that you wish to remove, there are a number of excellent solutions available, including neck lift surgery. Only a qualified plastic surgeon can perform neck lift surgery, and can help you to achieve a smooth, slim, youthful-looking neck. It is important to know all of the facts before deciding whether neck lift surgery is right for you.
Understanding the Surgery
The neck lift is a relatively straightforward procedure that generally lasts between two and three hours. The type of anesthesia administered at the beginning of the procedure depends largely on the preferences of the patient and the surgeon. Many patients require only local anesthesia combined with a sedative; however, some choose to be unconscious during the surgery and opt for general anesthesia.
The scope of the procedure varies according to the unique needs and goals of individual patients. Some patients achieve their desired results through a simple liposuction procedure, which involves the removal of excess deposits of fat from the neck. More dramatic results can be achieved through the removal of excess skin and fat along with the tightening and restructuring of the underlying muscles. Neck lift surgery is often performed in conjunction with other facial surgeries, such as face lift, brow lift, and eyelid surgery.
Modern techniques and technology allow surgeons to perform neck lift surgery using extremely small incisions, usually placed discreetly behind the ears and under the chin. Through these incisions, excess fat is removed, either via liposuction or through surgical excision. If desired, slack muscles can be tightened; in some cases, a small section of the platysma muscle may even be removed. Once the appropriate work involving the underlying tissues has been completed, the skin will be replaced and pulled taut, and the incisions will be sutured closed. Any excess skin will be removed at this point, as well.
What to Expect After the Surgery
Patients who undergo neck lift should be prepared to take some time off work, ranging from one to two weeks. In the first twenty-four hours after surgery, patients should arrange to have a friend or family member stay with them, as movement will be difficult. The first few days will be spent primarily in bed, with prescription pain medication being taken to control any pain or discomfort. It is important that patients have a supply of comfortable, loose-fitting shirts or blouses that button up the front, as pulling clothing over the head could interfere with healing.
Even after returning to work, patients will have to be careful to avoid strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting or sports, for a few weeks. As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection and bleeding associated with neck lift surgery. Bruising and swelling, especially in the first few days after surgery, are inevitable. Patients should be attentive to any signs that healing is not progressing properly, such as pus at the incision sites, and contact their surgeons immediately if there are any potential issues.
