It’s no secret that as we age our skin loses elasticity and begins to sag, and our necks are especially susceptible to the signs of aging. The natural aging process and the fact that protecting and treating neck skin is often overlooked, result in the popularity of Neck Lift surgery and neck skin tightening. While surgery removes excess skin and improves contour, neck skin tightening procedures, such as our microneedling radiofrequency procedures, laser resurfacing treatments, and hormone replacement therapy improve skin tone and texture to give the most natural and youthful appearing results.
Neck lift surgery is one of the most transformative procedures in plastic surgery. By tightening the skin, removing fat deposits, and restructuring the underlying muscle, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon at Moy, Fincher, Chipps Facial Plastics & Dermatology can dramatically rejuvenate our patients’ appearances. The procedure, itself, is one of the safest and most reliable procedures in our armamentarium. In addition to tightening neck skin, neck lift surgery also tightens the lower jowls and mouth like a mini-face lift but with less visible scars and faster recovery.
Recovering from a Neck Lift
With advancements in technology and refined expertise, recovery from a neck lift is significantly quicker than only a few years ago. A less invasive neck lift achieves optimal results by using minimal incisions hidden behind the ears and is performed under local anesthesia for faster recovery. Using this method, there is virtually no pain during or after surgery. The incisions are placed in the crease where the ear meets the head called the post auricular sulcus and they extend into the hairline. These incisions heal well, look natural and are difficult to detect. The procedure differs from 10 years ago in that no drains are necessary because there is much less bleeding when the procedure is performed under local tumescent anesthesia. Read a Question & Answers interview with renowned cosmetic surgeon Dr. Ronald Moy.
Patients who undergo a neck lift should be prepared to take some time off work, ranging from one to two weeks. On average recovery from neck lift surgery takes approximately 10 days, but most patients feel alert and only a little sore 1-3 days after the procedure. Immediately after surgery, movement may be difficult, and some patients prefer a friend or family member around to help, especially if anti-anxiety medication is given for additional comfort. The first few days will be spent resting and relaxing, because too much activity can cause more swelling and soreness. Although we do give patients prescription pain medication, most do very well with extra strength Tylenol alone because we inject a long lasting anesthetic at the completion of the procedure. It is important that patients have a supply of comfortable, loose-fitting shirts or blouses that button up the front, as pulling clothing over the head can be uncomfortable.
Even after returning to work, patients will have to be careful to avoid strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting or sports, for a few weeks. As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection and bleeding associated with neck lift surgery, but these are extremely rare. Bruising and swelling are possible after surgery, but because of our experience and tumescent anesthesia technique, most patients have almost no bleeding during the procedure and bruising is rare. Patients should be attentive to any signs that healing is not progressing properly and contact their cosmetic surgeon immediately.
Neck Lift Surgery in Beverly Hills
The results of your neck lift surgery and recovery are very much impacted by the quality of your cosmetic facial plastic surgeon. Moy, Fincher, Chipps Facial Plastic & Dermatology is one of the leading cosmetic surgery practices in Beverly Hills, especially for neck lifts which we perform more than any other group.
Learn more about our board-certified and fellowship trained facial plastic surgeons and dermatologists.
Schedule a Neck Lift Consultation
Interested in learning more about neck lift surgery? Schedule a consultation today. Moy, Fincher, Chipps Facial Plastics & Dermatology has three office locations throughout Los Angeles in Beverly Hills, Encino and Torrance for our patient’s convenience.
