Necklift surgery, either alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures, can produce very gratifying results for people with vertical bands in the neck, necks that are too heavy or loose, or sagging “turkey necks.
A necklift removes excess skin, fatty tissue and banding, and restores a smooth, refined appearance to the neck. It can also improve the appearance of the neck by creating more definition of the angle of the jaw.
A necklift is actually a pair of procedures used to enhance the appearance of your neck:
- Cervicoplasty to remove excess skin
- Platysmaplasty to remove or alter neck muscles
Reasons for Considering a Necklift
- To tighten sagging skin on the neck
- To correct vertical bands and wattles
- To remove fat deposits on the neck and/or jaw
Procedure Description
The first procedure performed is the cervicoplasty to remove skin and fat. The platysmaplasty, to reposition the neck muscles, is then completed.
During cervicoplasty, an incision is made under or behind the ear; the incision for platysmaplasty is made under the chin. Sections of skin are trimmed, lifted into place and sutured, then the muscle is tightened and skin repositioned. Liposuction is sometimes performed on the neck to remove fat deposits.
- Anesthesia: General or sedation
- Length of surgery: 2 to 3 hours
- Length of stay: Outpatient (home the same day)
Recovery Process and Final Result
- Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks
- Exercise: May be resumed in 2 to 3 weeks
- Discomfort: Mild to Moderate (anticipate 3 to 5 days of prescription pain medication)
- Swelling: Mild to Moderate (should be gone in 2 to 3 weeks)
- Bruising: Possible (will decrease within 2 weeks)
- Bandages: Removed in 3-4 days and replaced with a fitted garment meant to be worn for a week following surgery
Results will be visible about a week following surgery.
Other Options For Your Consideration
The vast majority of the time, a necklift is combined with a facelift, or at least a lower facelift, to improve the overall appearance of the neck and jaw line. This will be discussed with you during your surgical consultation.