Typically, a neck lift, also called a platysmaplasty or cervicoplasty, is done in conjunction with liposuction, facelift, brow lift, or other surgeries. Therefore, the time in surgery will vary accordingly.
When is a neck lift beneficial?
For patients who are in good general health but have excess fat, loose or sagging skin (a.k.a. “turkey neck”), and weak muscles below the chin, neck lift is a long-lasting solution.
How is a neck lift performed?
In working with your surgeon, approaches in how to tighten neck skin will be evaluated with the best method(s) applied to accommodate your desired results and personal circumstances. Decisions will involve pre-operative discussions with your surgeon.
Liposuction is the most common method of removing excess fat below the chin. If you are undergoing multiple procedures during your neck lift, it is very common for plastic surgeons to begin with liposuction. The simple half-hour procedure, performed under local anesthesia, involves a series of small incisions made behind the ears or below the chin; excess fat is then vacuumed out via tiny suction tubes.
A face lift or direct neck lift may also be needed to remove the “turkey neck,” or excess anterior neck skin that remains after neck liposuction. Your surgeon will make incisions for trimming parts of the skin and lifting it into place.
What results can I expect?
After your neck lift surgery, your surgeon will fit you with a compression bandage that you will have to wear for at least one week, unless instructed otherwise. It’s important to follow instructions to ensure proper recovery.
Once healed, the visible enhancements of the neck lift appear and incision lines are fairly concealed within the hairline and in the ear’s natural contours. Results are long-lasting as long as weight and good health are maintained.
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