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Necklift

Having a fleshy neck, otherwise known as a “turkey neck,” can make some individuals feel self-conscious about their appearance. This unattractive neck appearance can be the result of such factors as aging, genetics, and being overweight, just to name a few. Having a turkey neck has caused many individuals to seek out their cosmetic surgeons for a procedure that will help them enhance their appearance. A necklift is such a surgical procedure that offers a solution.

The neck lift procedure is intended to provide a natural, attractive and more youthful appearance. This surgery can produce excellent results and the scars are usually inconspicuous. Recent technical advances have led to longer-lasting improvement and an increase in patient satisfaction. Complications are rare.

 Many factors play a role in the aging of facial skin. These include the physical environment (sun, wind), the type of skin (elasticity, thickness), the complexion (pale, dark, ruddy), weight alterations, nutrition, smoking and menopause. There is no ideal age for this type of surgery. It must also be remembered that a neck lift cannot remove all wrinkles.

Pre-Operative

Our office will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it is especially important to stop at least two weeks before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin, and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas. If you hair is very short, you might want to let it grow out before surgery, so that it is long enough to hide the scars while they heal. Whether your facelift is being done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two if needed.

The Operation

Types of anesthesia
Most Necklift are performed done under general anesthesia. In that case, you will sleep through the operation. A tube will go down your throat to protect your airway. This tube may cause some soreness in the back of your throat after surgery.

Incisions usually begin at the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage at the front of your ear), and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the neck needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin.

In general, the doctor will separate the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. The doctor then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess. Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions. Metal clips may be used on the scalp.

Following surgery, a small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any blood that might collect there. Your head will then be wrapped loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.

Information
AnesthesiaGeneral.
Surgery Length3 – 4 hours
Side EffectsTemporary bruising, swelling, numbness and tenderness of skin; tight feeling, dry skin. For men, permanent need to shave behind ears, where beard-growing skin is repositioned.
Recovery PeriodBack to work: 10 to 14 days. More strenuous activity: 4 weeks or more. Bruising: 2 to 3 weeks. Must limit exposure to sun for several months.
Stay in Hospital1 day (For General)
Stay in Thailand14 days

Post-Operative

The bulky dressing placed at the time of necklift surgery puts some pressure on the areas operated on and helps soak up any external drainage of normally occurring serum and blood. We remove the bulky dressing the morning after neck lift surgery.

 After that, there are no more dressings.

  • Position:  Keeping your head elevated as much as possible will help to reduce postoperative facelift swelling. If you can, sleep on two or three pillows to keep your head above the level of your heart.
  • Drains: On each side of your face, a small drain may be placed under the skin and brought out through a small incision made in the temple. These drains evacuate the fluid that accumulates after facelift surgery and enable you to heal faster. When the drain is first put in place, the bulb at the end of each tube will be compressed to create gentle suction. As the fluid collects in the bulb, it will expand.
  • Sutures: The sutures in front of your ears will be removed 4-6 days after facelift surgery. If you have had an incision made under your chin, those sutures also will be removed 4-6 days after facelift surgery. The staples within the hair and the sutures behind the ear are removed 14-16 days after facelift surgery.
  • Shampoo: Forty-eight hours after facelift surgery or 24 hours after the drains have been removed, you may wash your hair. You may prefer to have your hairdresser wash it for you. In either case, a hair dryer, if used at all, should be kept on the lowest heat setting, as your scalp may be partially numb.