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 “turkey wattle” or double chin and jowl lines. When the neck area doesn’t match the upper facial appearance, a neck lift may be a good solution.
A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck, such as:
• 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 that contributes to abnormal contours
In general, good candidates for a neck lift include:
Rejuvenation procedures that can be performed in conjunction with a neck lift include 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) and eyelid surgery (to rejuvenate aging eyes).
As a restorative surgery, a neck lift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process. A neck lift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time at which a neck lift becomes appropriate or complement the results of surgery.
• What to do the night before and morning of surgery
• The use of anesthesia during your neck lift
• Post-operative care and follow up
A neck lift may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility, licensed ambulatory surgical center or hospital.
Since your neck lift will be performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
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.
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.
Incision lines are closed with sutures and possibly 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.
The visible improvements of a neck lift will appear as swelling and bruising subside. Your final result should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance, but also help you feel more confident about yourself.
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Temporary or permanent hair loss along incision site(s)
• Facial asymmetry
• Rare nerve injury that could cause weakness of the lower lip
• Fluid accumulation (hematoma)
• Infection
• Unfavorable scarring
• Prolonged swelling
• Skin irregularities and discoloration
• Skin loss
• Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation and require removal
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing
• Rare risk of deep venous thrombosis with cardiac or pulmonary sequelae
• Unsatisfactory results that may require revisional surgery
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
When your procedure is completed, a bandage may be placed around your face and neck to minimize swelling and bruising. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that collects 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, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
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). DO NOT APPLY ICE to the neck as this can compromise blood flow and result in skin death.
• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
• When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When is it safe for me to drive?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow up care?
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 physician’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. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
Prices for a neck lift can vary. A surgeon’s cost may be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office. Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
• Anesthesia fees
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Medical tests
• Prescriptions for medication
• Surgeon’s fee
Most health insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery or related complications. You must carefully review your health insurance policy.
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