Aging is inevitable as you grow older and this event will most certainly happen to everyone, the good news is that technological advancements in the medical field have now found exemplary ways to slow down the aging process.
Over time, we lose our youthful contours in our faces and down our necks and these changes in our facial features could be due to the following factors:
- Heredity
- Gravity
- Stress
- Environmental conditions
A full facelift is usually one solution to rejuvenate your youthful look. However, there are cases whereby a patient’s upper facial area still displays a youthful look but excess wrinkling on the neck’s skin and a double chin are apparent. If your neck area doesn’t align with your upper facial appearance, then undergoing a neck lift might be a solution for you.
A Neck Lift or its technical term Lower Rhytidectomy is a cosmetic surgical procedure that enhances visible signs of aging in your jawline and down your neck.
The Procedure
A neck lift is usually a set of procedures to improve the lower part of your face and is typically done as a part of a facelift. Furthermore, this type of treatment procedure can also treat:
- Jowls – excess fat in the lower face
- Double chin or Turkey wattle – excess fat under the chin
- Loose skin in the neck
- Muscle banding in the neck – creates abnormal lower facial contours
The first step before undergoing the procedure is to consult with your surgeon. It is important that you discuss everything with your surgeon and fully understand the procedure and end results and also to explore all of your options. A neck lift will not change your fundamental appearance nor will it stop your aging process.
Michael Kelly, MD Plastic Surgeon Miami
While everyone has the possibility to undergo this type of treatment procedure, the perfect candidates for a neck lift are:
- Nonsmokers
- Individuals who do not have medical conditions that could possibly impair healing
- People with realistic expectations and a positive outlook
During your consultation, your surgeon will also:
- Discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used during the surgery
- Evaluate your general health, as well as any pre-existing health conditions
- Discuss other optional alternatives for the procedure
- Examine and measure your face
- Discuss possible outcomes of the procedure as well as potential risks and complications
In preparation for a neck lift treatment procedure, you may be advised to do the following:
- Avoid certain medications and supplements before your surgery and doing so may reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during the surgery.
- If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking four weeks before and four weeks after your surgery as it is necessary to aid the healing process.
- Eat a healthy diet
On the day of your scheduled surgery, it is advisable that you wear loose and comfortable clothing. Wear a type of clothing which you will not need to pull over your head and neck. In terms of aesthetics, you may opt for sedation and local anesthesia or go under general anesthesia.
During your surgery, if minimal contouring is needed, it can be done with liposuction alone. As for a full neck lift procedure, incisions may be done either under your chin or behind your ears. These incisions will be closed with sutures and drains may also be placed before your wounds are bandaged.
Length of Stay in Destination
A neck lift is an outpatient surgical procedure, however, you also have the option to stay overnight in the hospital. You should remain in the Country for at least 4-5 days after the surgery as there will be scheduled follow-up check-ups with your surgeon to monitor your healing. The sutures will need to be removed after a few days.
Recovery Time
Typically, most people are able to return back to work in ten to fourteen days. In terms of having a physically active lifestyle like playing sports or exercise, you will need to wait at least three weeks or when your doctor gives you the all-clear.
Aftercare
Note that it will most likely take several weeks to a couple of months for the swelling to fully disappear. You will be given specific instructions as to how to take care of your surgical site and drains, as well as medications to apply or take orally to help with your healing and to reduce the risk of infections. It is very important that you give yourself ample time to heal to get the most benefit from your treatment procedure.
Success Rate
Results for neck lift surgery are normally long-lasting. In general, patients who have gone through a neck lift surgery have been very satisfied with the results.
Although possible risks and complications with this type of procedure are rare and if you experience any of the following symptoms, you will need to consult with your doctor immediately.
- Infection and bleeding
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Scarring
- Allergic reaction
- Changes in sensation
- Hematoma or seroma
- Numbness and tightness in the neck area
Surgical Arts Centre
Alternatives to Neck Lift Procedure
For those who are not a fan of surgery, there are non-surgical alternatives that are now available to help you enhance your facial appearance:
- Botox neck lifts – a non-surgical lift that tightens your neck muscles. Botox will be injected into the platysmal bands of your neck. Result typically lasts for three to four months and a touch-up treatment will be required.
- Thermage – also a non-invasive radiofrequency treatment procedure that smoothens and tightens the contours of your neck area, giving you a younger-looking appearance. This procedure can also be used to tighten your sagging stomach, knees, legs, butt, and arm skin.
- Ultherapy – by using ultrasound technology, this type of non-surgical treatment procedure can lift and tighten your loose skin, the result is usually visible in just one treatment.
For an in-depth analysis of the Neck Lift procedure with before and after images, watch this short video
To check prices or to book a Neck Lift Procedure in Thailand or anywhere else in the world, head on over to MyMediTravel now!
