Neck Lift

Neck Lift Basics

A smooth, taut neck helps make an attractive face look even better. Unfortunately, as people age, their necks tend to suffer. As most people get older, they develop fat deposits around the neck. This can lead to a weakening of the chin and jawline, and it can lead to the development of a double chin. As people age, the quality and elasticity of the face and neck also tend to decrease. This can lead to loose and saggy skin around the neck (frequently referred to as "turkey neck" or "turkey wattle").

A neck lift can help with these problems, and it can even help to get rid of large and prominent jowls. During the surgery, incisions will be made, and excess skin and fat will be removed. The skin will be tightened , and the tissues beneath the skin (such as the platysma muscle) may also be reduced or tightened.

The incisions are typically made beneath or behind the ear. In some cases, another cut is made just below the chin. Once all of the excess skin, muscle and fat have been removed, the skin will be replaced, and it will be sutured back into place. In some cases, a surgical mesh or some other material will be inserted into the neck to help hold it all in place.

Neck lift surgeries can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Most neck lifts are performed as outpatient surgeries, so it is unlikely that you'll need to stay at a hospital overnight. The entire surgery usually takes somewhere between one and three hours. After the surgery is finished, a bandage will be wrapped around the neck and head, and the patient will be allowed to rest and recover until he or she is well enough to go home. This usually takes around two hours.

Patients are not able to drive themselves home after a neck lift, so it is important that they have someone with them who can drive them. Pain and discomfort after a neck lift ranges from mild to severe. However, if you take your pain medications as prescribed, you should be able to control your pain.

Patients should try to take it easy and rest. Too much exercise or activity isn't conducive to recovery. Contact sports should be postponed until the doctor specifically gives the okay. Bending, heavy lifting, strenuous activity, and exercise should all be avoided for at least the first few weeks.

However, getting up and walking a little is important. This helps to prevent dangerous blood clots from forming. Patients should similarly try to move their neck and head as little as possible during their recovery. Eliminating twisting of the neck is important, so neck lift patients will need to get used to turning their whole body when they want to look at something. As the recovery process progresses, this will no longer be necessary.

If patients experience excessive pain or fever, they should contact their surgeon. Redness at the incision site and the development of pus are also bad signs. These could indicate a possible infection. Keeping the incision sites clean and dry and taking your antibiotics as prescribed can help to ward off infection.

After your surgery, you will probably need to have your sutures removed. This typically happens between about a week and a week and a half after the surgery.

Neck lifts typically cost somewhere between $5,000 and $8,000. This surgery is not typically covered by health insurance.