Neck Lift

For people with loose sagging skin under the chin, vertical bands in the neck, “turkey wattles” or necks that are too heavy, neck lift surgery – either alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures – can produce very gratifying results. The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be due to a
variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions and stress.
Most facelifts will have a positive influence on neck contour but in some patients, when the angle between neck and chin is poor or where muscle bands are very visible (platysma bands), a platysmaplasty will be necessary. This will restore tension in the platysma muscle beneath the neck skin. It is sometimes done from behind the ear (lateral platysmaplasty) but may require an incision under the chin (anterior platysmaplasty). Very gentle fat contouring using a syringe is frequently
helpful.
The quality of the result will depend upon the elasticity of the neck skin and degree of sun damage to the area. As a restorative surgery, a neck lift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process.

Who is a good candidate for a neck lift?

In general, good candidates for a neck lift include:
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations
• If you have a turkey wattle that makes you look much older than your age
• If you have excess of fat and skin in your neck
• If you have lost the distinct jawline
Some people feel they are not ready for a full facelift because the upper face is still pleasing. However, many patients will note excess wrinkling of the neck skin, a double chin or “turkey wattle” and jowl lines. When the neck area doesn’t match the upper facial appearance, a neck lift may be a good solution.

Are there any reasons for a patient to not have a neck lift?

Patients who are actively smoking or on blood thinning medications such as aspirin and warfarin are at a high risk of complications such as bleeding or wound infections and delayed wound healing. It is advisable to not consume nicotine in any form for six weeks before a neck lift and a similar time after. Medication such as aspirin or warfarin may need to be stopped (if this is not for an essential or lifethreatening condition) at the appropriate time before surgery.

What to expect from a neck lift consultation?

You would normally meet Our surgeon for at least two pre-operative consultations. The first of which is mainly about assessment and the formulation of an operative plan specific to your neck. It also involves taking some photographs. Our surgeon usually summarises this consultation in a letter to you and if you decide to move forward towards surgery, a second consultation is scheduled to go over things once more and discuss the possible complications in more detail.
When you meet with Our surgeon, you’ll have an opportunity to share your feelings about the results you want to achieve, learn about what will happen during your surgery and help design a procedure that meets your individual needs. It is often helpful to bring a photograph of yourself from the time when you thought you looked your best. Our surgeon will:
• Take a medical history and ask about any previous facial and neck surgery
• Discuss normal differences in facial and neck symmetry you’ve probably never noticed before
• Gently lift your facial and neck skin to assess what you might be able to expect after your surgery
• Explain some of the other effects of surgery, like the fact that the position of your hair in front of your ear may be elevated and that, in men, the beard may be advance under and behind the ear requiring shaving in that area
• Discuss the extent and position of scars you can expect
• Take photographs
• Discuss likely outcome of a neck lift and any risks or potential complications

Recovery after neck lifting

After neck lifting, bruising, pain, tension, numbness, and swelling may occur in the neck of the patient. These are expected. However, pain is not expected to disturb the patient. The degree of recovery of patients is clearly good in 2-3 days.

The edema in the region decreases thoroughly in 10 days. However, complete resolution of swelling may take almost 3-6 months. It also depends on the body structure of the person. As the swelling decreases, both the tension and numbness in the region lose their effects.

Patients should avoid smoking for up to 3 weeks after the operation. It is also important to protect the skin from exposure to the sun. If relevant, sunscreen with a protective effect of over 30 factors should be used.

Considerations after neck lifting

  • Vitamin E, aspirin use, and smoking are prohibited in our patients for 10 days before the surgery. If patients adhere to the recommendations, they can recover with the least likelihood of experiencing problems.
  • Since anesthesia is administered during the surgery, pain is not experienced much afterward.
  • Special bandages are used for up to 4-5 days.
  • On the first day, patients stay in the hospital because the drain will have been placed. It takes a week to get back to work and normal life. During that period, patients should stay away from engaging in strenuous work and sports-related activities.
  • Patients may need to raise their pillows a little bit in the first days following the surgery. Ice packs need to be applied to the area of intervention to prevent edema and bruises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Indications For Patients To Undergo Neck Lift Surgery?

Patients can undergo neck lift surgery to eliminate sagging neck tissue, relaxed tissue due to ageing, facial problems or any other issues occurring due to other types of aesthetic interventions.

Can Overweight Individuals Undergo Neck Lift Surgery?

Neck lift surgery can be performed in overweight individuals. Sagging in the face and neck due to repeated periods of losing and gaining weight can be corrected by neck lift surgery in our center.

How Is Neck Lift Surgery Performed?

The operation is successfully performed through an incision made behind the ear, which is primarily the least visible part of the face.

Which components of the body will be removed in neck lift surgery?

Band appearance and excess skin and fat are removed in the neck lift surgery to eliminate the unaesthetic look.

Can Neck Lift Be Performed Alone ?

Neck lifting surgery can be performed alone or in combination with face lift surgery.

Should I Undergo Neck Lift Alone?

The most correct answer will be given by the patient himself/herself. After determining the disorders or defects that affect the appearance of the patient, our surgeons decide the type of operations to be performed; at the same time considering the health condition, wishes, and the realistic expectations of patients.

How Will Be The Period Before The Neck Lift Surgery?

When patients come to our center, we perform a thorough workup on them to evaluate their detailed medical history including chronic diseases if any. After that workup, the patient complaints are identified. Then, information about the procedure is given to the patient and the surgery is scheduled.

Is Neck Lift Surgery Risky?

As with any surgical intervention, there are risks in neck lift surgery. Since only small incisions will be made behind the ear to perform the surgery, the risks of surgery will be set aside with meticulous care to be exercised after the neck lift.

Is Swelling Or Bruising Expected After Neck Lift?

Swelling and bruising normally occur after any surgical procedure. Even though swelling and bruising can be seen a little more commonly after neck lift surgery because of the intervention in the fat tissue and skin, this problem will be eliminated by keeping a healthy diet and attentive postoperative care.

How Long Does It Take For The Swelling And Bruising To Resolve After The Surgery?

The response of the body to the operation depends on its metabolic constitution and conditions of care; however, swelling and bruising will disappear after one week on the average.

How Long Does A Session Of Neck Lift Surgery Last?

Although the duration of the operation is variable based on the procedures to be performed, it takes approximately 2-3 hours.

What Is The Length Of Stay At The Hospital After Neck Lift Surgery?

To prevent blood accumulation at the site of intervention, drains are placed in the patient during the operation. The patient is discharged from the hospital when the drain is removed on the next day after the surgery.

Do Complaints Such As Tensed Skin Or Burning Sensation Occur After The Surgery?

During the surgery, the intervention involves the fat tissue and skin; therefore, the skin may feel tense or a burning sensation may occur as complaints.

Is Smoking A Contraindication Against Neck Lift Surgery?

Smoking should be stopped for an average of 3 weeks before surgery.

Are There Going To Be Any Accessories To be Used After The Surgery?

After the operation, bandages will be applied to keep the neck firm and upright for a week. At the end of that period, the bandages will be removed under the supervision of your surgeon.

Who Cannot Undergo Neck Lift Surgery?

Individuals; who consume high amounts of alcohol and cigarettes, who cannot tolerate the effects of surgery, and who underwent neck surgery before cannot be operated in the short term to get prepared to achieve appropriate preconditions for the surgery.

Will The Achieved Outcomes Of Neck Lift Surgery Be Permanent?

The outcomes of neck and face lift surgery are probably the longest-lasting when compared to those of all other types of aesthetic surgery. However, sagging may occur again due to aging and short and consecutive periods of weight gain and loss.

How Many Years Can An Individual Look Younger After The Neck Lift?

If every precondition is normal, neck lift surgery provides the individual with an appearance looking 10 to 15 years younger.

What Should Be Avoided Before Surgery?

Smoking and use of alcohol, aspirin, and vitamin E should be stopped at least ten days before the surgery.

What Are The Risks Of Neck Lift Surgery?

Problems like bruising and swelling can be seen after the surgery.

What Can I Get After The Neck Lift Surgery?

You will acquire the appearance that our specialists showed you on the computer before the operation. You are going to have a rejuvenated and taut neck, as well as acquiring a neck appearance aligned with your facial profile.

Can I Color My Hair After Neck Aesthetics?

You should not color your hair for one month on the average after the operation.

Does Ice Treatment Impose Any Harm On The Recovery Of Bruises?

No! After the surgery, you can quickly improve the appearance of bruises and swelling by applying ice on the area of intervention.

Does Nerve Damage Occur in Neck Lift Surgery?

Although the risk is low, it is not unlikely to experience some degree of loss of sensation and nerve injury after the intervention in the neck tissue. However, most of nerve injuries will be restored after a while.

Will Hair Loss Occur After Neck Lift?

Since the surgery is performed through small incisions behind the ears, hair loss may occur but will be inconspicuous.

Can I opt for the removal of submental fat?

We are competent to offer all kinds of solutions for any issue raised by the patients before the procedures. The sagging appearance under the chin and the accumulated fat can be removed in the same session.

Which types of anesthesia are administered to the patient during the procedure?

We administer either general or local anesthesia to our patients during the procedures. However, we prefer to administer the general anesthesia most commonly to eliminate the risk of patient moving and to prevent adverse consequences when the operation is performed with local anesthesia.