PLASTIC SURGERY

Paul Vanek, MD, FACS

Q: Can you tell me all about a neck lift, and the recovery? A: The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions and stress. A neck lift, known medically as a lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck. Specifically, neck lift surgery can treat excess fat and skin relaxation in the lower face that creates jowls, excess fatty deposits under the chin, and loose neck skin. Some patients consider having a full facelift, but are really concerned about excess wrinkling of the neck skin, a double chin or “turkey wattle” and jowl lines. If the neck area doesn’t match the upper facial appearance, a neck lift may be a good solution. During your recovery, a bandage could gently be placed around your face and neck to minimize swelling and bruising when your procedure is completed. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin. It is important to keep your head elevated above your heart to minimize swelling and to keep your head straight. You will have of course, have post-surgical appointments, but I also give you instructions how to care for the surgical site and drains, and medications to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection

Sometimes other facial rejuvenation procedures are performed at the same time, such as a brow lift to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, or fat transfer to add fullness to the lips and cheeks and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, or eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes.