Neck Lift
Neck Lift
A neck lift is a surgical procedure that removes loose and
sagging skin from the neck area and tightens the muscles
of this area. The procedure rejuvenates the appearance of
the neck by reducing fullness in the neck and re-toning
sagging skin and muscles due to heredity or the effects
of ageing. The experienced doctors
and staff at The Metropolitan
Institute for Plastic Surgery can help you determine
if a neck lift can give you the results you desire and guide
you in selecting additional procedures that may contribute
to the overall youthful appearance of your neck.
Are You A Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?
The ideal candidates for a neck lift are men and women who are forty to seventy years old in good overall health and who have realistic expectations about the procedure. It is helpful if you have good skin tone and elasticity and have a fat pad under the skin and on top of your neck muscles. Your skin and neck structure will be evaluated at your initial consultation to determine if a neck lift is appropriate for you.
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Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to scheduling your neck lift, you will have an extensive
consultation with the doctors and staff at The Metropolitan
Institute for Plastic Surgery. The purpose of the consultation
is to discuss your goals for the surgery and explain possible
outcomes of the procedure. The doctor will also help you
decide which procedure or combination of procedures will
best meet your goals. The surgery will be described in detail
and any questions you have will be answered. The type of
anesthesia to be used, potential
risks of the procedure, and cost and payment information
will also be discussed. You will be asked to provide a medical
history.
The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery
doctors and staff will:
· Review the various neck lift options with you
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
· Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Provide detailed cost and payment information
· Answer all your questions
You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medication you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use
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How The Procedure Is Performed
Your neck lift will be performed
at one of the region's premiere accredited outpatient-based
surgical facilities: the Center
for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI) or the Washington
Hospital Center, or at Sibley Memorial hospital,
if an overnight stay is required. The surgery can be performed
using either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with
sedation depending on what you and the doctor prefer. With
general anesthesia, you will be completely asleep throughout
the procedure. With local anesthesia, you will be lightly
sedated and your neck and the surrounding area will be numbed.
You will be awake, but will be relaxed and will feel no
discomfort. The type of anesthesia used as well as the length
of your procedure (usually one to three hours) will be discussed
with you at your initial consultation.
To begin the surgery, the doctor makes several small incisions
that are placed around the front and behind the ears and,
if needed, one under the chin. Working through these incisions,
the doctor carefully lifts the skin of the neck and removes
excess tissue and tightens underlying muscles with sutures.
Excess skin at the point of the incisions may also be trimmed
away.
The incisions are then closed with stitches and a bandage will be placed under your chin. An elastic garment is wrapped around your neck and head to aid in the healing process. The bandage and any drains that were used are usually removed the morning after surgery, but the elastic garment must be worn at night for the first two weeks after your surgery.
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What To Expect After Your Surgery
| Activity | When |
|---|
| Bandage Removed | The Day After Surgery |
| Shower and Shampoo Hair | Two Days After Surgery |
| Stitches Removed | One Week to Ten Days After Surgery |
| Back to Work | Two Weeks After Surgery |
| Driving | As Soon as You Feel Comfortable |
| Strenuous Activity | Three Weeks After Surgery |
| Fading of Scars |
Several Months to One Year |
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Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, neck lift surgery is performed on an outpatient
basis and you go home shortly after the surgery. You may
be sleepy from the anesthesia and the area around your incisions
will be sore so you will need to have someone drive you
home. You will have mild discomfort, most of which can be
alleviated with prescribed pain medication.
The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
Most neck lift patients are up and around the day after surgery. The bandage that was placed under your chin will be removed the day after your surgery. The elastic garment that was wrapped around your head and neck can be removed during the day, but must be worn at night for two weeks after your neck lift. There will most likely be some swelling and localized bruising, both of which usually disappear in ten to fourteen days.
The First Two Weeks After Surgery
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first few weeks after your surgery. In fact, the majority of neck lift patients return to work within two weeks of their surgery. Normal activities can be resumed as soon as you feel comfortable. Any bruising or swelling will generally disappear within ten to fourteen days of surgery. Your stitches are removed approximately five to seven days after your neck lift. The elastic garment that wraps around your head and neck must be worn while sleeping for the first two weeks after surgery.
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Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different rates and you are the best judge
of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following
are general guidelines:
· You can most likely return to work or school within two weeks after your surgery.
· You can resume driving as soon as you feel comfortable doing so.
· You can most likely return to your physical exercise
program within three weeks of your neck lift. Our patients
are encouraged to plan an exercise program and discuss it
with the staff prior to resuming exercise.
· Most of the visible signs of your surgery should fade within about three weeks.
Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
· You may experience a loss of sensation or numbness in the area of your surgery. This is entirely normal and may take several months to disappear.
· You may notice a tingling sensation in the surgical area.
This feeling is a result of the healing of the nerves in
the area and will go away within several months of your
procedure.
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What Are Possible Side Effects or Risks?
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk; however,
major complications from neck lift surgery are unusual.
During your initial consultation with the doctors and staff
of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, your
individual risks will be assessed and discussed. As with
any surgery, you can help reduce the risks by closely following
the pre and post-surgery instructions provided to you. And
the doctors and staff of the Institute (link to About_Philosophy.doc),
will be with you every step of the way to ensure a safe
and pleasing outcome.
Most likely risks include the following.
· Infection
· Nerve damage
· Blood or fluid collection
· Asymmetry
· Scarring
· Distortion of the earlobe
How Long Will the Results of Your Neck Lift Last?
Neck lift surgery can provide you with a more youthful and defined profile. These results generally last between five to ten years and longer in many cases. It is important to keep in mind that the effects of aging and gravity will eventually cause the skin and muscles in your neck to become loose and begin to sag.
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Questions You May Have
· Are there other procedures that could be done along with neck lift surgery to provide me with an enhanced and youthful looking neck?
A neck lift is often performed in conjunction with a brow lift or a facelift to provide a smoother, more youthful look to the face. Facial implants can be used to provide fullness and youthfulness to certain areas of the face, especially the chin and jaw line. Procedures complementary to your neck lift surgery will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.
· Will my insurance coverage pay for my neck lift?
Neck lift surgery is considered cosmetic surgery and, therefore, is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for the full payment of the procedure. Cost and payment information will be fully discussed with you during your initial consultation
· Are there alternatives to neck lift surgery?
If you have excess fat in your neck area but your skin is
still taut, LipoSelection
may produce a more sculpted, angular, and youthful jaw line.
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