Laxity of the neck is one of the first signs of aging. The force of gravity is stretching the tissues and only the neck lifting can put them back in place.
It is generally done together with the face lifting, but many times the neck begins to require attentions earlier than the face. It also adjusts your muscles and skin to the new contour of the jaw and chin after a facial surgery.
WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT FROM A NECK LIFTING?
It re-tightens the skin and muscles of the neck that have acquired a hanging aspect, whether this aspect is due to aging or hereditary familial characteristic.
Removes excess fat from the gills and neck.
It is the ideal complement of other surgeries such as face lift (ritidectomy) the facelift and brow lift and eyelid (blepharoplasty). When these surgeries are combined they produce an integral rejuvenation of the face and neck.
SURGERY
Anesthesia
If performed only local anesthesia with sedation is applied. If accompanied by other procedures, general anesthesia.
How long does it last?
Between 90 minutes and 2 hours
How is a Neck Lift performed?
The surgeon makes incisions through which he tightens the muscles and skin of your neck and lifts them back to give them a more youthful location and appearance. Finally trim the surplus and suture.
AFTER SURGERY
What is the length of hospital stay?
If performed under local anesthesia, neck lift does not require hospitalization. If performed under general anesthesia, it may require from a few hours to one night of hospitalization.
What bandages will I have? How long?
When you leave the operating room you will wear a bandage around the head and the operative parts of the neck. The surgeon will remove it 24 hours later.
Will it be painful?
The level of pain is moderate
When are the points removed?
Between 8 and 10 days after surgery
Do bruises and swelling occur?
Bruises produced by a neck lift can last for about 2 weeks. The swelling peaks during the first week and then decreases progressively. It lasts about a month. Ice packs are very useful to accelerate and improve this process. For some days it will be necessary for you to sleep with your head elevated.
How are scars hidden?
The scars of a neck lift are hidden behind the ears and under the hair
RECOVERY
In general it is possible to resume social or work activities 10 days after surgery. During the first 48 hours you must rest at home, being careful not to make sudden movements with your head. The operated area may become dormant for a few months.
During the recovery period some people may experience depressions. This is normal after all surgery, however small. You might even think that you made a big mistake when you operated. Do not worry. Most people who are happy today and very satisfied with their results went through that depression.
WHAT RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS CAN I HAVE?
Any surgical procedure, however minimal, presents risks and we must think of them as a possibility. However, it is very unlikely that an otoplasty presents complications if performed by a qualified surgeon.
Unwanted skin frostings. Infections, very rare if you take the antibiotics due.
Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Hypertrophic scarring (more prominent than normal, due to genetic characteristics of some skins).
Bruising. Seromas, or accumulation of liquids. In some cases they must be drained by aspiration.
Sensitive disturbances, such as numbness of the earlobe. They usually resolve themselves before 180 days.
FINALLY, THE RESULT
The neck lift will take several years to the age that you appear. That difference between your actual and apparent age will last throughout your life, so that as you get older you will continue to look younger than you are. In addition, if you have previously had a facial surgery, the neck lift will make the new shapes of your chin and jaw more defined.