If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and wished that your neck was smoother and tighter with less sagging and loss of elasticity, a neck lift may be for you.
As we age, the skin on the neck naturally begins to sag and droop. With the loss of volume and elasticity, many men and women may begin to notice that their neck has significant fatty deposits, and that the muscle banding may feature irregular contours.
Unfortunately, all the topical products in the world cannot combat these critical issues. Instead, a small surgical procedure called a neck lift can efficiently address the problem.
What Is a Neck Lift?
Also called a lower rhytidectomy, a neck lift can address creasing, wrinkling, and sagging in and around the neck area. These features are often due to the aging process. As a result, creams and serums unfortunately cannot do the job of restoring tightness and smoothness.
After your procedure patients will have a smoother, slimmer neckline with skin that sits tighter against the throat and does not sag. This procedure can deliver more confidence and self-assurance to anyone who is frustrated with the appearance of their neck.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
The best candidates are in good overall physical and mental health. You should not be struggling with serious medical conditions or undergoing intensive treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Candidates should be nonsmokers and have a realistic and positive outlook when it comes to cosmetic surgery.
Neck Lift vs. Face Lift
Often, individuals who are interested in getting a neck lift think that that means getting a face lift at the same time. In fact, this isn’t necessarily true. While many patients opt to get face lifts at the same time, you don’t have to get the former if you simply want to fix sagging and loose skin on your neck.
If a face lift is something you are interested in, however, be sure to bring this up with Dr. Mohan at your consultation appointment. Often, the incisions made with a neck lift are the same as those made with a face lift (near the ear and hairline, for instance), and doing the two procedures at the same time can reduce your overall recovery time and save on procedural costs as well.
What to Expect Before Your Neck Lift
Before undergoing a neck lift, it is important to meet with Dr. Mohan to discuss your options for surgery. At this consultation appointment, you will discuss your goals for the procedure and outline your medical history, including recent surgeries, medical treatments, and medications and supplements. Dr. Mohan will perform a short examination of your neck area and then offer you the best surgical options for your aesthetic goals.
What to Expect During Surgery
On the day of your surgery, our staff will greet you warmly at the accredited surgical facility. After meeting with Dr. Mohan for a final time before your procedure (where he can answer any remaining questions you may have), anesthesia will then be delivered by an anesthesiologist in the operating room.
Next, Dr. Mohan will begin making the necessary incisions. Most incisions made are similar to those made with a face lift. Usually, these are around the ear and often into the hairline. Sometimes, a small incision is also made beneath the chin within the “shadow of the neck” in order to perform a small amount of liposuction and tighten up the neck’s center.
The muscle beneath the skin will then be tightened, and any excess skin will be trimmed away. From there, the incisions will be closed, and you will be taken to a recovery room.
What to Expect After Surgery
Neck lift procedures are usually outpatient, which means that patients can generally return home relatively soon after they get out of surgery (on the same day). Of course, it’s important to have a trustworthy friend or family member to take you home as you will not be able to drive after the anesthesia.
After your surgery, once you are home, you can expect to have some bruising and swelling on the neck as well as around the ears and jaw line. A certain amount of pain and discomfort is to be expected as well.
These symptoms can be improved with prescribed pain medications and the use of elevation (elevating the head above the heart, even when lying down). However, it is important not to use ice on the neck during your recovery! This can be extremely dangerous as the ice may restrict the flow of blood in and around the neck.
Dr. Mohan will give you detailed instructions about caring for yourself during recovery. Be sure to follow these instructions closely and be at all post-operative appointments. For the most part, patients will need to take at least one week off from work after their surgery.
Dr. Mohan will let you know when you can return to work, a light exercise routine, and regular daily activities. Depending on what type of surgery you had and whether or not you had any additional procedures performed (for example, a face lift), recovery times will vary.
Book Your Consultation
Dr. Raja Mohan performs deep neck lift for patients in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex area. If you have been considering surgery because of sagging, loose skin beneath or around the jawline, Dr. Mohan can help you address these issues and bring back your self-assurance. It all starts with booking your Dallas area plastic surgery consultation appointment. Contact our office today to begin your journey toward a brighter, more confident you!
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