A neck lift is performed to enhance the appearance of the neck. It gives a smoother and toned appearance to the skin under the neck and the chin. The following article provides information about the various procedures to enhance the appearance of the neck.
It is believed that one of the first places to show signs of aging is the neck. Also, if you have lost a lot of weight then your neck may take time to catch up. In such cases a person may opt for a neck lift, which helps to eliminate all the excess fat in that region. Another reason for a sagging neck includes some hereditary condition. Any person, irrespective of age and gender, can benefit from this procedure. However, the important part is to communicate with the surgeon regarding the expectations and goals, before deciding to undergo a neck lift. This surgery is mostly performed along with other forms of plastic surgeries like a face lift or brow lift.
Procedure
Depending on the individual, the procedure could be any one of the three; liposuction, cervicoplasty, or platysmaplasty. Liposuction is used to remove excess fat, and excess skin is taken out through cervicoplasty. Platysmaplasty is undertaken to either tighten or remove muscles in the neck. As there is a possibility that the surgery includes more than one procedures, there is no specific duration of this surgery. Patients are not required to stay overnight at the hospital, and the surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia.
Liposuction
This is the first procedure performed on the patient during a neck lift. First, a surgical incision is made below the chin from where extra fat deposits are removed. Then a small hollow tube (cannula) is inserted through the incision into the fatty tissue. This helps in breaking up the fat and then removing it from the neck region. After the procedure, surgeons apply a bandage around the insertion to reduce any discomfort or inflammation.
Cervicoplasty
This procedure is undertaken to remove undesired skin from the neck. A surgical incision is made either behind the patient’s ears or under his chin. At times, an incision is made at both these places. Then the surgeon cuts back and lifts the skin to remove it, and closes the area back by stitching it up. A bandage is then applied on and around these areas to reduce any inflammation, pain, or discomfort.
Platysmaplasty
This procedure is undertaken to minimize the banded appearance of the neck. Like cervicoplasty, surgical incisions are made below the patient’s chin or behind the ears, or at times, on both the places. A small instrument is then inserted, which will either realign or remove certain neck muscles to tighten this area. To arrange the remaining muscles, the surgeon permanently stitches up the area. To reduce any inflammation, pain, or discomfort, a bandage is applied on and around the areas where insertions were made.
Recovery Time
Since the surgery is performed on an out-patient basis, the patient is allowed to go home the same day after the surgery. Apart from the dressing on the insertions, a bandage is wrapped around the patient’s head from below the neck. There is a possibility of more swelling and bruising once the effect of anesthesia wears off, leaving the neck sore and tight. Normally, the dressing is taken off within a few days of the surgery, but temporary sutures, if any, are removed only after about 10 days.
Patients generally resume their normal routine and non-strenuous work within 10 to 12 days after the surgery. Rotating the head from side to side, bending over, and lifting heavy objects should be completely avoided for the initial few weeks post surgery. The doctor may also advise keeping the head in an elevated position while sleeping, for a couple of weeks. These instructions differ from person to person depending upon his physical health and the surgical procedure used. It is therefore best to follow the recovery guidelines given by the doctor, to ensure a quick recovery.
Possible complications from such a surgery includes skin loss, clotting of blood, numbness in the region, swelling, skin discoloration, or excessive bleeding. In case the patient experiences shortness of breath, pain in the chest, excessive bleeding, or unusual heartbeats, he should be taken to the doctor immediately.
