Questions? Neck lift consultation
During your consultation your surgeon will take a general medical history and ask about other surgeries you may have had. Then the two of you will discuss your goals for the procedure and your surgeon will explain what results you can reasonably expect. Often, in particular for patients after their mid-40s, the lower part of the submandibular glands is palpable below the jaw line, and with a more simplistic approach to neck rejuvenation may sometimes become more visible at the surgery. It is possible during the neck lift procedure to address both the superficial and deep seated fatty tissue in the neck, as well as trim the lower poles of the submandibular glands, for a more detailed neck contouring.
You'll decide which procedure or combination of procedures is best and whether you should have your neck lift in conjunction with a face lift or other cosmetic procedure. You will also decide what kind of anaesthesia will be used.
What to expect from neck lift operation
Neck lift surgery usually takes between two and three hours, longer if it is being performed in conjunction with a face lift or other procedure. If it is being performed alone, neck lift surgery is usually done as a day case.
- If you have vertical bands or wattles that need to be addressed by platysmaplasty surgery, your surgeon will make small incisions under your chin or behind your ears to reach the your neck muscles and move them as needed.
- If you are having cervicoplasty surgery to correct loose and sagging skin, your surgeon will make similar incisions, trim the skin, move it into place and secure it using stitches or tissue glue. Your surgeon may also fit you with a compression bandage and instruct you to wear it continuously for at least a week.
- If excess fat must be removed, you surgeon may use liposuction, a process whereby fat is vacuumed away through thin cannulas. If this is the only procedure you are having it should take an hour or less. For a more extensive contouring, even in the presence of excess fatty tissue which can be related to genetic predisposition, lipodystrophy or excess weight, direct reduction of the fatty tissue through an incision under the chin is the procedure of choice.
After neck lift surgery
In the days after your surgery there are several things you should expect:
- Depending on how extensive your procedure was, you may have some swelling and bruising. Both should settle in four to ten days.
- You may also experience feelings of tightness, burning, pulling and numbness. These are normal in the first few weeks and will resolve on their own.
- If you have sutures that need removing they will be taken out a week to ten days after your surgery.
- Any discomfort you experience can be controlled by taking paracetamol or medication provided by the hospital. Do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication as these can promote bleeding.
- If you smoke, you will need to stop entirely for two weeks before and two to three weeks after your surgery to allow your body to heal in the best conditions.
- You should be able to return to work in one to two weeks, however you will need to avoid physical activities like sports for at least three weeks, possibly longer.
