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A neck lift is a surgical procedure to improve the signs of aging in the neck. These signs of aging include loss of skin elasticity that creates loose skin, and excess fatty deposits under the chin that can produce the appearance of a double chin. A neck lift is often part of a comprehensive facelift procedure, but it can also be done as an isolated procedure if sagging skin or excess fat in the neck is the main complaint. Aging in the neck results from the effects of gravity and loss of volume over time. Structural changes in the main muscle of the neck, the platysma, can also contribute to these changes. Depending on the changes that you and your plastic surgeon discuss, your surgical choices are varied. Small deposits of excess fat under the chin may be corrected with liposuction alone. More extensive aging of the neck is often associated with excess skin, varying amounts of excess fat, and separation of sheet-like muscle that drapes across the neck called the platysma. The neck lift procedure in these patients involves an incision that extends from in front of the ears to behind the ears and into the hair line to elevate and remove excess skin. In addition, a small incision under the chin allows for removal of fat and tightening of the platysma muscle. In a small group of patients, typically men, the excess skin can be directly excised. This procedure does not hide the incisions around the ears and into the hair line, but in the properly selected patient it can be a very effective option to remove the turkey jowl. It is up to you and your plastic surgeon to choose the procedure that is best for you during your consultation process. The goals of surgery are to produce a more youthful appearance through removal of excess skin and fat on the neck. Neck lift procedures can be performed in conjunction with other procedures such as facelifts, eyelid tucks to rejuvenate aging eyes, and brow lifts to correct a sagging brow. After your consultation, you should have a clear understanding of the different treatment options for improving the appearance of your neck as well as any other areas such as your face, forehead, and eyes. The selection of a specific procedure will be determined by your physical examination and expectations. The physical exam will include assessments of skin quality, fat distribution, and possible separation of the platysma muscle in your neck. It is important to assess the patients face and neck as a whole, as an isolated treatment of the neck may not fulfill the patients’ expectations, and a facelift may be necessary to meet all aesthetic goals. Following your surgery, bandages and a light wrap will be applied to your lower face and neck. Small drains may be placed temporarily to drain any excess fluid or blood that may collect. You will be given specific instructions on how to care for your incisions and drains. The immediate recovery will depend upon what type of anesthesia that your plastic surgeon will employ for the surgery. Various anesthetic agents affect patients differently and will dictate the patient's recovery. Most surgeons will incorporate extensive local anesthesia into the tissues which can allow patients to wake up pain free. The local anesthesia will begin to wear off in 34 hours and most patients will experience mild to moderate discomfort at this stage that is well controlled with pain medication prescribed by your doctor. Patients should avoid strenuous exercise for 3 weeks following surgery. Patients may shower the following day; but no Jacuzzi, swimming or soaking in the tub for a week. Most surgeons want to see their patients back in the office 5-7 days after their surgery to remove the drains which may have been placed at the time of surgery as well as to remove any sutures that do not dissolve on their own. Healing time is highly variable, but most patients’ experience moderate swelling and some bruising that can persist up to 2 weeks. One of the potential risks of surgery is infection and this usually manifests itself around 5-7 days after surgery and is usually effectively treated with oral antibiotics. Numbness around the incisions is normal after surgery and can persist up to several months. The actual “full” recovery period from surgery is up to a year and this involves a gradual softening and settling of the scars and tissues. A significant amount of the recovery occurs within 2-3 months, but it will take the external scars up to a year to fully mature. You may also be interested in the following procedures Face Lift, Lip Augmentation or Liposuction.
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