COSMETIC TOWN JOURNAL



Neck Lift: What To Look For In Your Doctor

Posted October 10, 2016

Neck lift surgery, also known as a lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that aims to improve and eliminate visible signs of aging in the neck and jawline of patients. A neck lift is performed to get rid of excess fat that creates jowls in the lower face, loose neck skin and excess fat under the chin. It also improves the appearance of vertical neck bands that might be causing abnormal contours. These conditions can be the result of gravity, heredity or the aging process.

How to Find Your Ideal Neck Lift Surgeon

Your doctor should be board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Your doctor can also have certifications from the International Society of Plastic Surgeons (ISPS) as well as the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASPAS). It’s important that your doctor has the right expertise and knowledge when it comes to performing neck lift surgery. Board certification from these organizations means the doctor is peer reviewed and has received training in the highest standards and techniques of plastic surgery.

Results After Neck Lift

Neck lift patients generally need 1-2 weeks off work after the surgery. Patients will need to stay in bed for the first few days and have a family member on hand to assist them. Once they return to work, patients need to avoid any strenuous activities and heavy lifting.

Although there will be some bruising and swelling after the surgery, they will fade away over time. The results of the neck lift will continue to improve as time passes and the final results will be visible after about 6 months. The tighter skin and neck bands, as well as the more defined jawline, can maintain their appearance for anywhere from 5-10 years.

Feedback from Real Patients

Finding the best doctor to handle your neck lift means you need to take the time to do proper research. Get as many details about the surgeon as you can by looking at review websites such as Yelp. This allows you to get a better idea of how the doctor interacts with his patients.

You can also ask friends and family members who have undergone a facelift if they have suggestions for doctors. Some doctors will let you speak privately with their previous patients and you should ask about this during your consultation appointment.

How Is A Neck Lift Performed?

A neck lift is often referred to as:

  • Cervicoplasty – Remove excess skin
  • Platysmaplasty – Tighten loose neck muscles

Surgeons can perform one or both of these procedures to tighten up neck muscles that are loose as well as remove any sagging or excess skin to give the neck a firmer and more defined appearance. The surgery is normally an outpatient procedure and the doctor makes a small incision behind each ear. Working through the incisions, the doctor tightens the neck muscles and underlying tissues by removing the sagging skin. The removal of this excess skin results in a firmer and smoother neck appearance.

A neck lift can also be combined with facial procedures to help you achieve your desired look and a more balanced appearance. Some of the most common facial procedures a neck lift is combined with include a facelift, chin augmentation and rhinoplasty. Combing a neck lift with facial procedures allows the surgeon to perform both of them during one surgery. A neck lift can also be combined with neck liposuction to improve the appearance of a double chin or the jawline.

Questions to Ask Before Your Neck Lift Surgery

Your consultation appointment will help you determine if you feel comfortable with the doctor before undergoing surgery. Here are some questions you should have prepared to ask during your appointment:

  • Which neck lift technique is best suited to help me achieve my goals?
  • How many years have you been performing neck lifts?
  • Do you have before and after photos of your patients that I can view?
  • How should I prepare for the surgery?
  • How long will my recovery take?
  • How long should I take off work following the surgery?
  • How many nights should I plan on having a family member stay with me once I return home?
  • Are there any side effects I should know about?
  • What kind of payment plans do you offer?
  • In case I require revision, will you charge me an extra fee?
  • How long can I expect my results to last?

- MA

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