FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS A NECK LIFT?
A Neck Lift, also known as a Platysmaplasty, is a cosmetic procedure to lift, smooth, and tighten your neck and jawline. The surgery aims to extract loose skin, lift sagging muscles and reduce excess fat, to make the area look more defined and youthful. It can also help restore balance to facial features by providing a better-outlined jawline and frame to the whole face.
This type of procedure is often combined with Face Lift surgery, geared toward enhanced results in your overall appearance. Depending on your aesthetic goals, your surgeon can recommend the best combination of procedures for you.
HOW IS A NECK LIFT PROCEDURE DONE?
A neck plastic surgery is carried out under general anesthesia and can take from 2 to 3 hours to complete. Before sedation, the surgeon will see to explain the procedure and sometimes make some markings on your neck and jawline to guide the surgical process. During the procedure, the surgeon will then make small incisions in your hairline and behind your ears to stretch the loose skin along your jawline and on the neck. Then, the excess skin can be trimmed and secured in its new position with surgical sutures. If combined with a Face Lift, your procedure will also include additional incisions at the hairline to ensure any loose skin on the face is also tightened. After the neck lift, you can expect a smoother, wrinkle-free, and younger-looking appearance.
WHAT IS A MINI NECK LIFT?
A mini neck lift is a less invasive neck lift procedure that usually only requires local anesthesia with sedation. In this type of procedure vertical neckbands are also removed and excess neck skin is also tightened, but the incisions are less extensive than those for a traditional neck lift and the surgical session is shorter. The recovery time is also more speedy and there’s less bruising and swelling. The result is a more youthful and flattering neck angle with less downtime. On the downsize the results of a mini neck lift are less extensive and only last 2 to 5 years.
HOW LONG DOES A NECK LIFT LAST?
Regarding this matter, the skill of your surgeon is a determining factor. An experienced surgeon can tighten the skin and remove undesired fat deposits in a way to ensure the results of a neck lift are long-lasting. A neck lift will often last between 10 to 15 years and if kept up properly can even last even longer.
WHAT'S THE RECOVERY LIKE AFTER A NECK LIFT SURGERY?
You can expect mild pain and some discomfort for 3 to 5 days. Your neck will also feel tight for 3 to 4 weeks after the surgery. You can go back to everyday activities after 1 week but must avoid exercising or other strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks. It is also important to keep your head elevated above your chest to decrease swelling and to keep your head straight, avoiding any excessive twisting or bending of the neck. Also, refrain from putting ice on your neck as it can compromise blood flow and healthy healing.
WILL THERE BE ANY SWELLING UNDER MY CHIN AFTER A NECK LIFT?
Following the surgery, you're likely to have swelling and bruising that last for approximately 2 weeks after the surgery. You might even have to wear compression garments around your neck to help reduce swelling. But any type of emergent swelling, rapidly expanding the neck in the first 24 hours after the surgery, should be addressed immediately with your surgeon for a possible revision procedure.
WHAT WILL MY NECK LIFT SCARS BE LIKE?
The incisions of a neck lift are placed along the natural skin crease in front of your ears, behind the ears, and within the hairline. Therefore are well hidden and less likely to be noticed in the future. Generally, the incisions will heal well within 7 to 10 days. Although, the amount and the extent of the incisions will depend on your degree of skin laxity and the complexity of surgery required to achieve the desired results.