Neck Lift

Traditional Neck Lift

Are you considering a neck lift to get rid of excess fat under your chin? Here we will tell you all you need to know about a neck lift, including its benefits and tips on how to recover quickly after the procedure.

What is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of excess fat, skin, and tissue from the area around your jaw-line so as to make you look slimmer and more youthful. It is done in order to make the signs of aging less visible in the patient. The formal name for the procedure is platysmaplasty or lower rhytidectomy.

As you grow older, fat deposits start accumulating in the neck area and cannot always be removed by diet or exercise. The skin also becomes looser, leading to sagging skin that hangs from the lower portion of the face or from the sides of the neck to create jowls that are considered conventionally unattractive. A neck lift can address all of these problems by removing the surplus skin and tightening the remaining skin so that the area looks smooth.

A neck lift is an ideal surgery option for patients who do not wish to go for a full facelift but would want to improve the symmetry of the lower part of their face.

What are the benefits?

• It can remove excess fat deposits under the chin which are not responding to exercise or diets.
• It can remove sagging pockets of skin below the face that create the appearance of jowls.
• It can tighten any loose skin in the neck developed as a result of aging or drastic weight loss.
• It can correct any abnormal contours that have developed as a result of the banding of muscles in the skin.
• It can correct unattractive fatty deposits that accumulate due to hereditary reasons.
• Any healthy adult who wants to look and feel more attractive can go for a neck lift.

How do you prepare for neck lift?

Before scheduling your neck lift, it is important to be very clear about what a neck lift can and cannot do for your appearance. This requires you to have multiple consultations with your surgeon so that all your doubts are clarified. The following tips will help you prepare more effectively in the days and weeks leading up to the neck lift.

How to Choose the Best Surgeon

A neck lift requires a high degree of precision and should only be done by an accredited cosmetic surgeon with a good track record of neck lifts. Thoroughly research online before selecting your doctor, and take recommendations from friends, family members or colleagues who may have had the procedure done.

Provide a complete medical history

During your consultation sessions with your cosmetic surgeon, you will be asked to provide a complete medical history in order to assess your fitness for the neck lift procedure.

Details you will be asked to provide include any past surgeries you have undergone, any allergies or chronic illnesses you suffer from, the medications you currently take (including herbal remedies and vitamin supplements) and your history of alcohol and tobacco usage. It is essential that you share all this information accurately as certain conditions may render you unfit for surgery.

For example, if you have heart disease or diabetes or are prone to excessive bleeding, your doctor may decline to perform surgery and discuss non-surgical alternatives with you. In addition, your allergies will determine the type of anesthesia used during the procedure.

Make any necessary lifestyle changes

Your doctor may ask you to stop or limit your intake of certain medications as preparation for the neck lift – it is important that you follow all such instructions to the letter. He or she may recommend some lab tests to assess the general state of your health. You will also need to avoid any anti-inflammatory drugs as these could increase your risk of bleeding during and after the surgery. In addition, if you are a smoker, you will need to quit smoking for several weeks before the surgery, as smoking will slow down your body’s natural ability to heal.

Be clear about your expectations

You may have certain expectations in your mind about the kind of aesthetic enhancement you want for your face. It is important that you are completely frank with your doctor about these expectations (such as a defined jaw line, a slim neck or a toned chin) so that he or she can guide you about what is feasible for your particular case.

Your doctor will most likely take photos of your neck and chin from various angles and then use software to convert them into a 3D visualization of what your neck will look like before and after the procedure. In addition, you should remember that a neck lift cannot reverse or slow down the aging process – it can only tighten the skin and improve its appearance. At this point, you should also discuss the possible side effects of the surgery and how you can prepare for them.

Consider combining the neck lift with other surgeries

Depending on how much modification you want to your facial features, you may wish to perform other types of cosmetic surgery along with a neck lift to achieve the maximum effect. Discuss these aspects thoroughly with your doctor before reaching a decision. For example, you may want to combine a neck lift with a brow lift to eliminate furrowed brows and enhance the features of your entire face. You could also go for eyelid surgery to correct tired-looking eyes or a fat transfer procedure to help your lips and cheeks look fuller. Consider the benefits and risks of each and every surgery that you opt for.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to look normal after a neck lift? Most patients start to look and feel more like themselves within 2–3 weeks, as swelling and bruising begin to subside. However, final results can take 3-6 months to fully emerge. How painful is neck lift recovery? Discomfort after a neck lift is typically mild and can be managed with over the counter pain meds most of the time. At Modern Surgical Arts we provide our patients with options for several other medications aside from narcotics for managing the discomfort. Most patients describe it more as tightness or soreness rather than sharp pain. It’s typically worst for the first few days before subsiding. Most patients are off of all of their pain medication after the first week. How long do you wear neck compression after neck lift? A compression garment is usually worn as much as possible for the first week and then at night for another 1–2 weeks. This helps minimize swelling and supports the healing tissues. What can you not do after a neck lift? You should avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, swimming pool, bath, hair dye and bending over for at least 4 weeks. It's also important to keep your head elevated and avoid smoking or alcohol during early recovery to support healing. What can go wrong with a neck lift? While severe complications are exceedingly rare with an experienced cosmetic surgeon, minor risks can include infection, hematoma, nerve injury, scarring, or asymmetry, and the need for additional skin removal or secondary procedures as indicated. Dr. Dastoury our double board certified cosmetic surgeon can discuss the rarer, more severe risks during a consultation. When is the best time to get a neck lift? The best time to get a neck lift is when you’re in good overall health and beginning to notice signs of aging that don’t respond to non-surgical treatments. Many patients opt for surgery in their 40s to 60s, but everyone ages at different rates. We also offer a “minimal invasive” approach to neck contouring with our Modern Neck Lift procedure. This involves heating and shrinking the neck with a possible option for lifting the platysmal bands at the center of the neck as indicated. It's important to seek a consultation with our board certified cosmetic surgeon Dr Dastoury for the ideal treatment that is the best fit for you in regards to surgical technique, recovery time and general anesthesia vs. local only. Are neck lifts worth the money? For many patients, a neck lift provides noticeable , natural-looking rejuvenation that can last for years, making it a great investment. If you’ve spent money on non-surgical treatments but aren’t achieving the results you want, surgery can be a better, less expensive option.