Neck lift
Signs of ageing become present around all parts of your body, but the neck tends to be the first to lose its elasticity. Neck lift surgery aims to reduce the appearance of saggy skin around the neck by reshaping the neck and jaw. If you choose the surgery, it can result in a rejuvenated neck and jawline, giving you a more youthful look. The procedure can be performed using sedation and local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia.
There are three main types of neck-lift surgery, but the most common are:
> Cervicoplasty: The surgeon removes the excess skin around the neck.
> Platysmaplasty: This procedure targets the chin as well as the neck. It is offset with a small incision beneath the chin via an endoscopic instrument, and the surgeon then removes the excess fat and manipulates the skin. Finally, the platysma muscles will be joined together to create a tighter neck. This technique is referred to as a “corset platysmaplasty”.
> Submental Liposuction: Liposuction neck lift involves the removal of fat from the jowls, jaw and cheeks. It is considered the most minimally invasive and entails a quicker recovery period.
Procedure, preparation and plan
Before the surgery, your doctor will request that you stop taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin (if you do). He or she will also advise you to stop smoking tobacco, as it slows the recovery process and promotes wrinkles, which can have an adverse effect on your desired results.
The doctor will give you a thorough physical examination and ask you questions about your health. To better understand which procedure suits you best, you and the doctor will discuss your desired results.
When you and the doctor agree on a surgical method, a professional in the clinic will take photographs of your neck from different angles. These images will be used to compare the appearance of your neck before and after the procedure.
Surgery
Depending on your goals and specifications, the doctor will discuss the type of procedure(s) with you.
When performing the liposuction technique, the surgeon will make a small incision below the chin and behind each year. Equipment designed for the procedure will then be used to remove the fat from the jaw and below the chin.
Cervicoplasty is slightly more invasive, meaning that the surgeon will make a cut on the neck and the excess far and skin will be removed. The procedure is commonly performed under local anaesthesia.
Recovery
Depending on the procedure, the doctor may place a garment that keeps your neck stable. You may experience swelling and bruising.
Healthcare professionals and the doctor at the clinic will provide you with a recovery plan best suited for you.
Results
Most patients begin to see results several weeks to a few months after the surgery. The swelling and bruising will start to fade after a couple of months, and the incision marks will take up to six months.
