Neck Lift

For many people the visible signs of ageing can be difficult to come to terms with, especially for those who feel young at heart. There are many cosmetic surgery procedures and non-surgical treatments available to reduce and reverse these signs, and a Neck Lift is one of the most popular. A Neck Lift, also called a Platysmaplasty, is a surgical procedure by which any loose skin along the jaw line and on the neck itself is removed. The final result gives you a smoother, wrinkle-free neck and jaw line and overall rejuvenated appearance. This procedure can also be used to remove excess skin following substantial weight loss or reduction of skin elasticity due to genetics, sun damage or treatment for illness.

This procedure alone can be effective in making a person look younger, but is often combined with a Face Lift surgery in order to create a younger overall appearance. Our experienced surgeons will recommend the best procedure or combination of procedures for you depending on the results you wish to achieve.

What Neck Lift surgery can treat

  • Excess fat and skin relaxation in the lower face that creates jowls;
  • Excess fatty deposits under the chin;
  • Loose neck skin;
  • Muscle banding in the neck, which created abnormal contours.

The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions and stress.

Some people feel they are not ready for a full facelift because the upper face is still pleasing. However, many patients will note excess wrinkling of the neck skin, a double chin or “turkey wattle” and jowl lines.

When the neck area doesn’t match the upper facial appearance, a neck lift may be a good solution.

Rejuvenation procedures that can be performed in conjunction with a neck lift are: a brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, fat transfer, to add fullness to the lips and cheeks and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, or eyelid surgery, to rejuvenate aging eyes.

The Procedure

A Neck Lift procedure includes the following steps:

  • Anesthesia: Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
  • The incision: Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your neck lift choices include a traditional neck lift incision or a limited incision neck lift. A traditional neck lift incision often begins in the hairline at the level of the sideburn, continues down and around the ear and ends in the posterior hair. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the jowls and neck. The tissue underlying the neck skin is repositioned, and commonly the platysma muscle is tightened. Skin is redraped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A separate incision under the chin is often necessary for liposuction of this area and for repair of the muscle. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions. A limited incision neck lift may involve incisions only around the ear. While the incisions are shorter, the results may be more limited.
  • Closing the incisions: Incision lines are closed with sutures and perhaps skin glue. Sutures may be dissolving, or may need to be removed after a few days. Once healed, the incision lines from a neck lift are usually well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the ear.
  • See the results: The visible improvements of a neck lift appear as swelling and bruising subside. Your final neck lift result should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself.

During your recovery from a Neck Lift surgery, a bandage could gently be placed around your face and neck to minimize swelling and bruising when your procedure is completed.

A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin.

You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health.

It is important to keep your head elevated above your heart to minimize swelling and to keep your head straight (no excessive twisting or bending of the neck). Never apply ice to the neck as this can compromise blood flow and result in skin death.

As you begin to evaluate your neck lift results, please remember that it may take several weeks to months for swelling to fully dissipate and up to six months for incision lines to mature.

Life-long sun protection and a healthy lifestyle will help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.

As swelling and bruising subside, the visible improvements of a neck lift appear. Your final result should not only provide a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself.

Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

Following your plastic surgeon’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery.

It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the time of healing. Avoid wearing any clothing that must go over your head. We will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

We will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have, take a detailed medical history.

In advance of your procedure, your will have to:

  • Stop smoking at least six weeks before undergoing surgery to promote better healing;
  • Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding;
  • Stay hydrated because regardless of the type of surgery to be performed, hydration is very important before and after surgery for safe recovery.

A Neck Lift may be performed on an outpatient basis, particularly if only liposuction is performed. However, if more extensive surgery is planned, you will likely have an overnight stay in the hospital so that you can be monitored for possible problems. Our driver will be driving you to your hotel when you are discharged from the surgical facility and your medical coordinator will be available for you 24/7 to help and assist you whenever you might need help and assistance.