When loose skin and fat on the neck age your appearance or make you feel self-conscious, consider a neck lift. This surgical procedure tightens the skin on the neck and restores a younger, more appealing neck contour. To learn more about a neck lift, keep reading.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?
As long as you are healthy and do not have jowls, a neck lift can help your neck’s appearance. Once jowls have formed, consider a facelift or a combination of a neck lift and a facelift instead.
If you have minimal fat and no loose skin, neck liposuction is the better choice. For patients with loose skin and neck fat, you might want to discuss pairing neck liposuction with a neck lift for the best results.
What Choices Do I Have in Terms of Anesthesia?
When opting for a neck lift, many facial plastic surgeons use general anesthesia to ensure their patient’s comfort during the entire procedure. Monitored anesthesia is another option. With monitored anesthesia (MAC), patients receive a sedative and then local anesthesia is administered.
Where Are the Incisions Made?
Incisions for a neck lift are similar to a traditional facelift. They are typically concealed within the hairline and inside or in front of the ear. A small incision may also be made under the chin.
How Long Does a Neck Lift Take?
The actual length of the surgery varies from patient to patient. On average, expect the surgery to take approximately two hours.
What is the Difference Between a Neck Lift and Submentoplasty?
Submentoplasty also improves the neck, but it is best for patients with some sagging and fat, but not a large amount. With a submentoplasty, a T-shaped incision is made under the chin. Fat is removed and the excess skin is trimmed away. Only a few facial plastic surgeons use this T-shaped incision, which can be considered something of a mini neck lift. The surgery takes only 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
What Can I Expect After a Neck Lift?
Following a neck lift, you will have some bruising and swelling. You may need pain medication to alleviate the discomfort. At seven days, your surgeon will remove your stitches. Allow another three days before returning to work.
If you opt for submentoplasty, the swelling and bruising are the same. You can return to work by the end of the week. You also have stitches removed after seven days.
With both the neck lift and submentoplasty, avoid strenuous activity for at least three weeks.
What About Neck Liposuction?
If you decide to undergo a neck liposuction to remove excess fat, it’s usually performed at the same time as the neck lift. It can, however, be performed by itself if you don’t have loose skin.
A cannula is inserted into pockets of fat through a small incision below the chin. Pushing the device back and forth breaks up the fatty tissue. At this point, the cannula is like a straw and when suction is added, the fat is drawn out of the body.
Bruising and some swelling are common complaints following liposuction. Expect five days before you’re ready to return to work.
Are There Any Risks?
Any surgical procedure comes with risks. The most common are reaction to the anesthesia and bleeding. To avoid some of these complications, make sure you’re honest with your doctor about medications, herbal supplements, and other over-the-counter pills you take and follow the doctor’s advice before and after surgery.
What are the Benefits to Pairing a Neck Lift and Facelift?
While a neck lift corrects excess skin and fat on the neck, it does not address jowls. If you also have jowls and want them to disappear, a facelift is ideal. The neck lift will correct the issues of loose skin on the neck, and the facelift improves the lower face, jawline, and upper neck.
View before and after neck lift photos at The Naderi Center. When you’re ready to learn more about the pricing and the difference a neck lift can make for you, call Dr. Jessica Kulak, a Virginia board certified facial plastic surgeon. You can reach Dr. Kulak at (703) 481-0002. She also sees clients in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The Maryland office’s phone number is (301) 222-2020.
