Neck Lift Procedure – Everything you need to know about

What is Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a set of procedures to enhance the appearance of your neck and getting rid of the sagging neck skin.

Procedures can include:

What Neck Lift can Treat & What to Expect during Consultation?

Here are some of the most common concerns that are addressed with a neck lift:

  • Turkey wattle neck
  • Excess fat
  • Too much skin

During your consultation, you should go over your goals and learn about the options:

Turkey Wattle Neck

Turkey neck, seldom called turkey gobble neck- resembling a turkey’s wattle- is usually loose neck skin & muscles caused due to aging and neck muscle weaking

Your surgeon may recommend neck lift surgery aka as platysmaplasty, to treat turkey wattle neck, which involves making cuts under your chin or behind your ears or both to access a neck muscle called the platysma. Sometimes, that may even mean removing some muscle.

Newer procedures may let your surgeon make smaller cuts and use an endoscope to complete your surgeon. Make sure you ask your surgeon for all your options during your consultation.

You and your surgeon will discuss what type of anesthesia to use, depending on your level of comfort. If you want to remain asleep during the procedure, you should request anesthesia. Otherwise your surgeon can use local anesthesia with sedation. It’s up to you, however, to make that choice.

Excess fat

To deal with excessive fat on neck your cosmetic surgeon may suggest you to undergo liposuction. During liposuction, your surgeon will make a small cut below your chin and remove excess fat. If you are also getting other procedures, it is very common for cosmetic surgeons to begin with liposuction. You will be able to determine this with your doctor during your consultation.

If this is the only procedure you’re getting, you should plan on the operation lasting up to an hour. Your incisions will be stitched and bandaged. It’s important to make sure you understand and follow your doctor’s instructions on properly caring for the stitches and bandage.

Too much Skin on Your Neck

Your surgeon will trim parts of the skin and lift it into place, securing it with tissue glue or stitches. This takes about two to four hours, depending on the complexity of your procedure. Again, your type of anesthesia will depend on your own personal comfort level.

How to Prepare for your Neck Lift?

Your surgeon will tell you to avoid certain medications before your surgery to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.

Tell your doctor about any drug allergies you have. Although it’s very rare, you could have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia.

If you smoke, you will need to quit for at least four weeks before the surgery and four weeks after. Don’t just plan to cut down. Not smoking for this time period is necessary for proper healing. Eat a healthy diet, which will help your body heal.

You should plan to take at least one week off from work. Ask your doctor exactly how much time off you’ll need.

Set up an area in your home for recovery. The area should have:

  • Ice packs
  • Gauze and towels
  • Thermometer
  • Supply of comfortable, loose clothing (something which does not have to be pulled over your head and neck)
  • Petroleum jelly and antibacterial ointment
  • Telephone within reaching distance of where you’ll be lying or sitting most of the time
  • Pillows that will allow you to keep your head in a comfortable position
  • Someone who can stay with you at least the first 24 hours after surgery

What Kind of Neck Lift would be appropriate for you?

You must be in good health to get a neck lift. You’ll consult with your surgeon in advance. For that meeting, have your goals in mind for what you want to change.

What are the Neck Lift Side Effects and Complications?

You will have swelling and bruising that can last for several days after a neck lift. You may feel tightness or tingling and different sensations, including burning or pulling. You also will experience numbness. These are all normal in the first few weeks following surgery and should not be cause for concern.

As with any surgery, infection is possible. Take your temperature. At the first sign of a fever, contact your doctor. If you have unusual discharge, such as pus, from the surgery site, contact your doctor immediately.

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