Jeffrey Kenkel, M.D. Answers Questions On: Neck Lift

Patients who are in good health and weight stable are generally good candidates for a facelift.

Beyond that, both women and men can benefit from neck lift surgery, and age is not a major consideration. You may be a good candidate if you’re looking to:

• Reduce or eliminate a “turkey neck” by removing excess, sagging skin
• Smooth out wrinkles and creases throughout the neck
• Improve the appearance of vertical neck bands
• Remove fat causing a “double chin”
• Improve the contour and shape of your jawline

This surgery begins with small incisions made behind each ear and, in some cases, under the chin. These incisions are used to remove excess skin and to correct platysmal banding — vertical neck bands that are an early sign of aging. It also addresses fat under the jawline, often called a double chin.

Patients who undergo this procedure are given intravenous (IV) sedation or general anesthesia.

About three hours, depending on the extent of the procedure. In some cases, this can be done as an outpatient procedure, but many patients elect to spend the night with us.

Potential side effects include:

• Mild swelling
• Chance of bruising
• Numbness
• Tightness of neck

Like any surgery, a neck lift involves certain risks, such as:

• Recurrence of loose neck skin
• Noticeable scars

While patient experiences vary, most people feel discomfort, not pain, for the first few days, but they can control it with prescription pain medication. Your neck may feel tight and/or numb as tissues relax and heal.

You can expect to progress through the following general milestones when recovering from a neck lift:

• Hospital stay: May or may not be needed
• Keep upper body elevated: Seven days
• Sutures removed: Six to seven days
• Wear chin compression strap: Continuously for seven to 10 days, then for seven nights
• Ready to go out in public: Seven to 10 days (patients whose hair covers their ears)
• Resume workouts: Two weeks
• Limit salt intake (to minimize swelling): Four to six weeks
• Numbness in surgical areas fades: Three to four months

Approximately seven to 10 years.