Consultation for neck lift surgery

During your consultation, you and your plastic surgeon will discuss your reasons for seeking surgery and the results you hope to achieve. The surgeon will explain the entire surgical process and what to expect during your recovery period. It’s important to be open and honest about your expectations, concerns, and lifestyle habits.

Your medical history will be carefully reviewed to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. The doctor will also take before photos of your neck and jawline to help you see the improvements after surgery.

Before the surgery, you will be given specific guidelines to follow. These may include maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, quitting smoking at least three weeks prior, and avoiding anti-inflammatory medications or aspirin to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.

Procedure for neck lift surgery

Neck lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using sedation along with either local or general anesthesia, depending on your needs.

Based on the level of correction you desire, your surgeon will choose between a traditional neck lift incision or a limited incision technique.

A traditional neck lift incision typically starts at the hairline near the sideburn, extends down and around the ear, and ends in the hairline at the back. During this procedure, excess fat from the jowls and neck may be sculpted or repositioned. The underlying neck tissues are tightened, including the muscles, to provide a firmer contour. The skin is then re-draped over the newly shaped areas, and any extra skin is removed. A separate small incision under the chin is often made to perform liposuction and muscle repair in that area. Incisions are closed with sutures or skin adhesives.

The limited incision neck lift involves smaller incisions, usually just around the ears. While this method results in shorter scars, the improvement may be less extensive. The incisions are closed using dissolvable sutures or may require removal after a few days. Once healed, the incision scars are generally well hidden within the hairline and natural folds of the ear.

Post-surgery recovery for neck lift surgery

After the surgery, a bandage may be wrapped around your face to help reduce swelling and bruising. Small drainage tubes might be placed to remove excess blood or fluids from the surgical site.

It’s common to experience mild to moderate pain, some drainage from the incisions, swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness. Your surgeon will prescribe medications to manage pain, prevent infection, and support the healing process.

Drainage tubes are usually removed about two days after surgery, while bandages and sutures are typically taken off after five days.

In order to have successful long-lasting results it is important to follow the below:

• Take pain medication and apply ointment as per prescription.
• Keep your head elevated while resting or sleeping.
• Avoid strenuous activities
• Do not apply ice to the neck as this can compromise blood flow and result in skin death.
• It is important to attend the follow-up appointments with your doctor to keep your track of your progress.