People who want to set back the clock and reverse the impacts of aging often opt to have a neck lift procedure performed. This is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures, and people love the natural-looking results that can be achieved. During the neck lift, the excess skin is removed from the neck, and then the neck muscles are tightened in order to preserve results for many years to come.
It is unfortunate, but it is also inevitable. As we age, our skin loses laxity, and we can also gain weight in the area around our face. This results in a double chin appearance, and while it is easy to put weight on there, it is nearly impossible to take it off through diet and exercise alone. Patients who suffer from the double chin are often self-conscious and do not enjoy their appearance in photographs. Board-certified facial plastic surgeons know that this dissatisfaction is no way to live. For these patients, professional cosmetic surgeons offer the opportunity to have a neck lift performed.
The Goals of a Neck Lift
The goal of any neck lift is to remove excess skin that has formed around the neck, and many people do not realize just how big of an impact this procedure has on their overall appearance. It is one of the most common requests at cosmetic surgeons’ practices, and it is often combined with a facelift procedure. This combination is typically done in order to prevent the bunching of the skin around the ear lobes.
The neck lift itself consists of two separate procedures. The first procedure is called a cervicoplasty. This specialized procedure removes the excess skin from around the neck. The second procedure is called a platysmaplasty. This procedure actually alters the neck muscles and is essential to producing the results that a patient is looking for out of the procedure.
Patients who choose to have this surgery done are typically between the ages of 40 years old and 70 years old. However, those who have a genetic double chin may choose to have this procedure done in their 30s. It is vital that patients are determined to be good candidates for this procedure, and all patients must be in the best physical health as well as good mental health. The neck lift itself takes about 2 hours to complete, but as most patients have additional procedures done at the same time, the surgery time can vary depending on the patient. The time and effort are well worth it though, when a patient looks younger and more beautiful than ever before.
Neck Lift Recovery Tips
Because of the intense amount of work that is involved in this facial plastic surgery, patients can expect some swelling immediately after the operation. These tips will help recovering patients manage their swelling and reduce it as quickly as possible.
- The average facial plastic surgeon will prescribe over-the-counter medications that will help reduce the swelling immediately after the surgery. In many cases, the medications prescribed will include steroid ingredients. These steroid ingredients help to minimize inflammation and, consequently, reduce swelling. A common anti-swelling medication that is prescribed is methylprednisolone. The facial plastic surgeon will consider the individual patient’s health history and current condition prior to choosing an anti-swelling medication for them.
- It is recommended that people take vitamin C supplements, for vitamin C is known to reduce swelling. Most people who opt to supplement with vitamin C will do so for at least two weeks after their surgery. Patients can also naturally incorporate more vitamin C into their diet by drinking orange juice and enjoying other foods rich in this natural vitamin.
- Swelling will last for two to three weeks after the operation, but it will subside significantly within the first few days. The reason there is so much swelling after the neck lift procedure is that the nerves in the neck muscles are damaged and altered during this operation. As the nerves in the neck heal, they become inflamed and swell up naturally. The reduction of the swelling is a sign that the body is healing and recovering.
- Patients who feel that their swelling is getting worse instead of better should set up an appointment with their facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon in order to ensure that there is nothing wrong. Swelling should quickly and easily subside for most patients, so this can be a sign of a complication during the recovery process. The surgeon will be able to analyze the individual situation and determine if any action is necessary if the swelling persists.
Once the swelling has subsided completely, patients will be able to enjoy the results of their neck lift procedure. This procedure is often used as a complement to a facelift surgery, for it allows for patients to enjoy the most comprehensive results.
The majority of the swelling will disappear within the first weeks after the operation, but lingering swelling can be present for up to a year. Patients should not consider a revision procedure for any cosmetic surgery until at least one year has passed since the original operation.
For professional cosmetic surgeons, the best part of cosmetic surgery is allowing a patient’s inner beauty to shine. To find out more about this procedure and to meet with a board-certified surgeon, take the time to set up a free consultation appointment. Before you know it, you’ll look ten years younger than you did before the procedure.