People will often get mixed results in their efforts to reverse the signs of aging. Sunscreen can prevent the damage caused by UV rays, but it’s preventative and won’t help get rid of brown spots. There are tightening creams out there that can reduce the visibility of wrinkles, but they also don’t work long-term.
Your best bet for more permanent results is to go for a neck lift surgery. While many people may shy away from plastic surgery, it works much better than some miracle cream you find in the store.
Here are five things to know about neck lifts and if they’re right for you.
1. What It Involves
It’s important to know exactly what goes into a neck lift surgery. Some people have anxiety regarding surgical procedures, and it helps to know what’ll happen when you enter the operating room.
First of all, neck lifts often happen alongside other procedures such as a facelift. It’s normally a package deal for patients, which can save them time in recovering and give consistent results for their appearance.
The actual procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from a neck and “lifting” the remaining skin over the removed area. The aim is to address age-related wrinkling and creasing by removing the excess skin causing it.
Anesthesia and sedative medications are used to put patients to sleep for the procedure. It can then take several hours until it’s completed.
Another thing to know is that liposuction comes with a neck lift to remove excess fat deposits.
The cost of your neck lift will depend on if you also received a facelift. Most health insurance plans do not cover the cost of the surgery. You also won’t receive coverage if there are any related complications.
2. Different Types of Procedures
One little-known fact is that there are different types of neck lifts available for patients. It’s not just a matter of getting your neck skin pulled up and repositioned closer to your face. The cosmetic procedure you choose will depend on your budget, desired results, and recovery time.
The most comprehensive form of neck lift involves correcting and lifting the jowls, midfacial area, and neck skin. However, this procedure takes the longest to perform and has the longest recovery time. It’s also the most expensive.
Despite that, a full facelift and neck lift can completely rejuvenate your appearance.
Neck lifts further break down into a cervicoplasty and a platsmaplasty. A cervicoplasty involves removing excess skin and nothing else. A platsmaplasty also removes, tightens, or realigns the neck muscles that may be sagging.
There is also a MACS facelift that is performed in-office and has fewer incisions.
3. Recovery Time After Neck Lift Surgery
Something to keep in mind is the recovery time after a neck lift. Even though it’s plastic surgery, it’s still a medical procedure that involves an incision and stitches. There’s a period of time when you’ll need to take it very easy as you recover.
Recovery will involve several medications and at least a few weeks off of work. You may feel better within a week after the procedure, but it can take two or more weeks before the swelling and bruising fade.
The most common incision sites are behind your ears and under your chin. This allows your surgeon to access the muscles that need tightening. As a result, you should only have minimal scarring.
During your recovery avoid lifting heavy items or straining your face in any way. Keep in touch with your surgical team regarding your recovery. Expect a full recovery to take about three months, after which your neck will look brand-new and if you also had a facelift, your face will look brand new as well.
4. How to Prepare in Advance
To get the best results, there are some things you can do before you book your neck lift procedure.
First, the ideal facelift candidate is over 40 and is in relatively good health. People who drink or smoke heavily will have less healthy skin and immune systems, and that can cause complications during and after the procedure. In addition, a healthy lifestyle will result in healthier overall skin.
On the day of your procedure, wear comfortable clothing. Don’t eat or drink after midnight before your surgery. Your surgeon should already know your medications and have informed you if you need to stop using anything the week of your surgery.
You can also start a rejuvenating skin care regimen in the weeks before your procedure. Always make sure to consult with your plastic surgeon in advance before making any significant changes.
5. Procedure Outcomes
You may not know what exactly to expect after a neck lift. Even after it’s fully healed, will it look exactly like you wanted it to?
Procedure outcomes will vary depending on a variety of factors such as genetics, nutrition, and your general lifestyle. In some cases, facelift results can make you look over a decade younger. Some people may develop infections if they fail to take care of their skin and avoid sun exposure.
Assuming everything goes well, your skin and deep tissue will retain their appearance without any kind of drastic change. However, that doesn’t mean your body will stop aging. You’ll need to redo the procedure at some point if you want to reacquire the youthful results.
Speak With a Surgeon About Your Next Procedure
You should never rush into any surgical procedure without knowing the risks involved. Luckily, a neck lift is one of the safest and least invasive cosmetic surgery procedures you can get. It’s also very common for this procedure to give you the kind of results you want.
Dr. Tracy Pfeifer specializes in cosmetic surgery and offers services that target your neck, face, breasts, body, and more. Our office locations are in New York City and the Hamptons. Contact us to learn more and schedule a consultation.