Human Surgeryes: Neck Lift Surgery

What is a Neck Lift?

Neck-lift plastic surgery can be performed in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of the individual. Three possible neck-lift procedures include:

liposuction
cervicoplasty
platysmaplasty

Typically, a neck-lift will include liposuction to remove fat. Cervicoplasty may be included to remove excess skin, and platysmaplasty to remove or tighten neck muscles: a process that gets rid of unwanted band lines. These procedures are described later in this article.
A neck-lift may also be part of a combination treatment plan, in conjunction with a forehead lift, facelift, or eyelid surgery. For a less invasive alternative, you may want to investigate the micro neck-lift.

The Right Candidate for Neck-lift

There is no ideal age for neck-lift surgery. Candidates may range from teenagers to octogenarians. People who suffer from certain diseases may be excluded from treatment. Talk to a qualified plastic surgeon about your goals and expectations, and to determine if you would be a good candidate. Your doctor will also review your medical history and the risks associated with the procedures to create a treatment plan that works best for you.

The Neck-lift Procedure

Neck-lifts are most often performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. The location of the procedure may be the doctor's office, outpatient surgery center, or hospital. Since there may be more than one procedure performed during a neck-lift, your time in surgery may be one hour to several hours. The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, but usually does not involve an overnight stay.
The procedures involved in a neck-lift may be performed endoscopically. For an endoscopic neck-lift, an instrument visually guides the surgeon through the procedure. The advantages of an endoscopic procedure may include a smaller incision, no general anesthesia, reduced bruising, and faster recovery. You can talk about the endoscopic option with your doctor.

Who would best Represent an Ideal Candidate for Neck Lift?

A neck lift can improve upon the appearance of the neck by creating more definition of the angle of the jaw. Undergoing this procedure can provide a boost to one’s self-confidence and self-esteem. A neck lift can be performed on individuals above 18 years of age who feel the need to improve their necks. Typical patients range between the ages of 30 and 70. A neck lift can address various cosmetic issues, including:

Turkey neck
Excess fat and/or skin in the neck
Retrognathia

If you are self-conscious about these issues, you can be considered a good candidate for a neck lift. However, patients who undergo this procedure should also have realistic goals and expectations as well as be physically and mentally stable. People must remember that cosmetic surgery is meant for improvement, not perfection.

Are there other options to improve the appearance of the neck?

A necklift is a combination of various procedures, but for some, one procedure alone could improve the appearance of the neck.

Neck Liposuction: Removing fat alone can improve problems in the neck. However this is only available to patients who have little excess skin in the neck region. If they do not have excess, droopy skin, neck liposuction will present a beautiful result.

Facelift: A facelift removes excess fat and skin from the facial area, including the neck. This procedure can tighten a jawline that grows slack and jowly and those with folds and fat deposits around the neck. This is more beneficial to those wanting to improve upon signs of aging in their face as well as the neck. A facelift also helps those who have no excess fat in this region, but possess a significant amount of excess skin.

Chin implant: This is for people who have a weak chin and, as result, the neck looks overly fleshy. Chin implants can also help those with retrognathia, a condition where the jaw is receding.

Please discuss with your surgeon as to which procedure will work best to meet your needs

How Much Pain is Associated with Neck lift?

There will be some discomfort after undergoing neck lift surgery, which can be lessened with prescribed pain medication. Some degree of swelling and possibly bruising can be expected, but this is only temporary. It is recommended that you stay home for at least a week after surgery and take it easy for the first three weeks following surgery.

What happens after undergoing a Neck Lift operation?

During the recovery period, doctors usually have patients wear a compression garment for several days. This garment helps improve blood circulation, minimize swelling, and flush out potentially harmful fluids. The compression garment can allow the patient to heal from their necklift faster and minimize the amount of downtime while providing comfort and support to the neck.

Even though swelling takes a few weeks to subside, patients should be able to start seeing the results of their neck lift within a week following surgery. Patients will notice more definition in their neck and under the jaw line.

The duration of the results depend on the type of procedures used. The neck lift procedure can last about five to ten years, but this varies from patient to patient. A facelift also lasts about the same amount of time. Patients can choose to undergo another facelift and necklift when they start to notice their results fading. Otherwise, their appearance will revert to a pre-surgical state. Liposuction permanently removes fat deposits from the neck. Fat can still grow in other areas, and that is why it is important to stay in shape even after undergoing liposuction.

What Are the Risks and Limitations of Neck lift?

With any cosmetic procedure, there is always the possibility of risks. A neck lift may involve multiple procedures, so, there is an increased risk. The most common risk for any cosmetic procedure is allergic reaction to the anesthesia and infection. Another potential complication is accumulation of blood under the skin (hematoma). Yet another risk is injury to the nerves that control muscles in the treated area. Excessive scar tissue is another possible cause for concern, however, scar revision procedures can help.

These risks can be reduced when the procedure is performed by a qualified surgeon, with extensive experience in performing neck lifts and if patients follow their doctor’s pre-op and post-op instructions. Note: Smokers should stop smoking two weeks before surgery because this contributes to poor healing of the skin.

What Are The Typical Costs Associated With Neck Lift?

Since a neck lift may involve several procedures performed at once, the cost of undergoing this procedure can range anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000. Liposuction alone averages $1500, a facelift usually costs $4000, and a chin implant runs about $1,700. Fees within various regions may also vary depending on whether the doctor’s practice is in an urban, suburban or rural area. When considering costs for a neck lift, make sure the total figure includes any and all associated costs. A comprehensive cost figure may be obtained while consulting with a cosmetic surgeon.

Unfortunately, most medical insurance providers do not cover cosmetic surgery procedures. However, most surgeons do offer multiple financing options. CosmeticSurgery.com provides information on various ways patients can fit a neck lift into their budget

Are You a Candidate for a Neck Lift?

If you have jowls, a double chin, a turkey wattle or any other cosmetic concerns about the appearance of your neck, seek a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
During this consultation, your surgeon will take a thorough medical history to see if you are healthy enough to undergo neck surgery. Don't hold back. Mention any past surgeries and/or drug allergies or problems with anesthesia. Tell your surgeon about any and all medications you take on a regular basis. This includes supplements. Many medications and herbal or dietary supplements interact negatively with anesthesia and other drugs.
You must have realistic expectations about your neck lift, and what it can do for your appearance and your life. You also must be able to clearly communicate your aesthetic goals to your surgeon. After a frank discussion, your surgeon can determine whether your goals are realistic and can be met with a neck lift.
There will also be a physical component to this visit. Your surgeon will assess the amount of excess fat or loose skin in your neck area as well as the quality of your skin and muscle tone in this area.
Your surgeon will make suggestions regarding your neck lift, including the recommended technique, anesthesia and incision placement options. He or she should also discuss neck lift risks, neck lift recovery and neck lift cost.
Some surgeons charge for consultations, others don't. The consultation fee may be deducted from the neck lift cost if you decide to book a surgery. You should not feel pressured to book a neck lift on the day of your consultation.
The next step in the process is your preoperative appointment. This visit allows you to ask more questions and revisit any concerns you have about your neck surgery. You should also be given clear instructions about what you can and can't do in the days and weeks leading up to your neck lift, such as avoiding alcohol and not taking over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen. (NSAIDs increase your risk of bleeding.) If you smoke, quitting before your neck lift is important. Smoking impairs circulation and wound healing. Ask your surgeon which smoking cessation tools are most appropriate. You may also be given prescriptions for antibiotics and pain relievers to fill before your surgery.
Routine blood work and a physical exam may be required before your neck surgery. These measures are in your best interest and will help make sure you are healthy enough to undergo neck surgery. If you are a woman, you may be asked to take a pregnancy test.

Recovery & Downtime :

Most patients can return to non-strenuous work after 5-10 days. However, for the first several weeks after surgery, you should avoid bending over, lifting heavy objects, and even turning your head from side to side. You will also have to sleep with your head elevated for one or two weeks. These guidelines can vary widely based on the patient’s personal health, the techniques used, and other variables. Always follow your surgeon’s recommendations.

How a Neck Lift Is Done

Typically, the procedure will last two to three hours. Of course, if you are having a neck lift in conjunction with liposuction, facelift, brow lift, or other surgeries, the time will vary accordingly. Your exact procedure will depend on your desired results and your own personal circumstances. In order to undergo a neck lift, you must be in good general health, both physically and mentally.
What do you dislike about your neck? Be honest with yourself! You're putting a lot of time and effort into researching the surgery, so make sure you get the results you want. You also should write down your thoughts on what you'd like to correct and have that with you at the time of your pre-operative consultation.
Here are some of the most common concerns: