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Neck Lift
Neck Lift
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
What To Expect After Surgery
Possible Side Effects And Risks
How Long Will The Results Last
Questions You May Have
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.
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 doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery 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
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
Questions You May Have
· Are there other procedures that could be done along with Neck Lift surgery to enhance the overall appearance of my face?
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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