Neck Lift Procedure

By Sherri Bankley

One of the first signs of aging is a slight sag under the chin. If your heredity dictates, this may happen as early as the twenties. There is a cosmetic procedure specifically designed to remove this, if it bothers you.

The Platysmaplasty (Neck Lift) Procedure

Fortunately, cosmetic surgery has a neck lift procedure that may be right for you. It is called platysmaplasty. It is usually done under local anesthetic combined with a sedative. The purpose of the neck lift procedure is to eliminate or lessen a sagging neck.

Incisions are made behind the ears with a smaller one under the chin. In a "skin only" neck lift procedure, the surgeon trims off the skin by the incisions and draws the rest of the skin up tightly around the ears and chin. He or she then sutures the incision (self-dissolving sutures are not generally used for this one). For a more extended surgery, the doctor cuts out and suctions off excess tissue, fat and muscle under the skin before closing up. Depending on what procedures you and your doctor have discussed, if you are a planning a face, brow or eye lift, you may want to have them done at the same time so you won't need two separate recovery periods. Keep in mind that if you have more than one operation, you may need a little extra time to recover and the final results of the surgeries may not appear for a few months.

Recovery from a Neck Lift

Now comes the hard part. You can't turn your head for about two weeks. You will sleep propped up with pillows on your back and turn using your shoulders. The neck area is delicate and any jolt could mean bleeding, discharge, pain and even spoiling the effects of the neck lift procedure.

For a few days, you will be swollen up and bruised. Many patients experience post-operative depression at this time, when they are physically and emotionally at a low ebb. It may take a few months until you see the full effect of the surgery. In the meantime, keep yourself occupied and be patient.

Results from a Neck Lift

After the swelling goes down and the bruises heal, the changes brought about by a neck lift procedure are not obvious as some others. People may ask you if you've lost weight, or changed your hairstyle. Feel free to say yes. No one needs to know about your surgery unless you choose to tell him or her.

Liposuction, mesotherapy, and VelaShape are just a few of the dermatology and cosmetic surgery procedures reduce excess skin, excess fat, wrinkles, and more. For obese men and women, you may want to research bariatric surgery options.