Cosmetic
NECK LIFT
A neck lift, usually involving both cervicoplasty and platysmaplasty, is designed to
remove excess, sagging skin under the jaw line and on the neck and to reduce the
banded appearance of the neck, sometimes called turkey wattle. Sometimes the
neck ages before the face, or it may sag after weight loss. Whatever the reason,
both young and old find neck lift procedures can enhance their appearance.
Surgical procedure
The surgeon will usually make incisions under or behind the ears and then remove the excess skin (cervicoplasty)
as well as removing or realigning a section of the platysma muscle in order to tighten the middle area of the neck
(platysmaplasty).
The doctor may permanently suture areas of the muscle in order to clasp them in the best position. The
platysmaplasty with additional skin lift involves a small incision under the chin as well as the ones behind or under the
ears. Your surgeon will discuss and agree with you at the consultation stage the surgery which is most suitable to your
individual goals and requirements.
Pre-operative care
Before any surgery remember to:
•Inform your surgeon of any allergies, all medical
conditions and any medication that you are taking
(both prescription and non-prescription).
•Inform your surgeon if you suffer from hypertension.
•Stop smoking two weeks before surgery as smoking
can affect your reaction to the anaesthetic and slow
down the healing process.
•Avoid aspirin and medicines containing aspirin or
other blood thinning compounds two weeks before
surgery. This is to eliminate the chance of postoperative bleeding.
•No food and liquid intake for at least six hours before
surgery if general anaesthesia is planned. No alcohol
at least 24 hours before surgery.
•Remove all make-up and jewellery and ensure the
face and neck areas are clean.
Day of admission
Hospital admission – Minimum one night
Duration of operation – Two to three hours.
Anaesthetic – General anaesthetic
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Neck Lift
Post-operative care
Dressing: You will have a pressure dressing placed
around the top of your head to underneath your chin
to reduce swelling and discomfort. The sutured area
should be cleaned twice daily.
Movement: You must keep your head and neck still
after the neck lift. Avoid turning your head from side
to side, if you have to turn and look at something, turn
your whole body, not just your head.
Medication: Your neck may feel tight and sore as the
anaesthesia wears off and sometimes people feel
nauseous. You will be provided with antibiotics, antiswelling and pain reliever tablets as well as medication
for nausea if necessary. Take the medications as
directed by your surgeon.
Activity: It is advised to have bed rest in a cool and dry
room and to limit activities for a few days after surgery.
Take it easy and try not to do too much, too soon but
do get up and walk around at least a couple of times
a day if you can. No driving for one week following
surgery.
Change of dressing: You will have one or more postoperative visits to your surgeon in the days after surgery.
Your dressings will be changed as needed.
Bending and lifting: For the first weeks after surgery,
avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects. Your
surgeon may give you a limit on how heavy an object
you can lift safely. Remember that this may mean that
you can’t pick up a small child.
Suture removal: Sutures are generally removed about 7
days after surgery.
Cold compression: May be applied for the first 3 days
to prevent further bleeding and to minimise swelling.
Returning to work: Most patients return to work about
two or three weeks following surgery when swelling and
bruising have started to fade.
Warm compression: May be applied after 3 days to
assist healing, but should not be used for the first 3 days
unless instructed by your surgeon.
Sport: Check with your surgeon about when you can
participate in contact sports or physical activity safely.
Showering: Keep the incision sites dry and away from
any sweat or dirt until your stitches are removed. You
may apply Chloramphenicol ointment over the suture
line before taking a shower.
Sleeping: You must sleep with your head elevated for
one or two weeks. Use two or three pillows on your bed.
Smoking and alcohol: Continue to avoid alcohol,
aspirin and ibuprofen for a few days to a week after
surgery. If you stopped smoking before your neck lift,
don’t start again. Smoking greatly increases your risks of
improper healing and excessive scarring. This is a good
time to quit smoking completely.
Recovery expectations
Your lower face and neck will get more swollen and possibly rather bruised over the first three days after surgery.
As the days go by, the swelling will dissipate as the healing process progresses. You may notice a change in how your
face moves: tightness, tingling, sporadic sharp pains, pulling, burning or cold sensations. These usually disappear within
the first few weeks. As the swelling subsides, your new and firmer neck will appear. The small scars are hidden behind
the ears and under the chin. In two to three months the enhancing effects can be fully appreciated.
Risks and complications
Risks are inherent in any surgical procedure. The most common risks are swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, excess
fluid, puckering of the skin and scarring. Numbness of the skin occurs often for a few weeks after neck lift surgery; in rare
instances, this condition can be permanent. Allergies to the anaesthesia can occur as well as blood clots and injury to
nerves. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery.
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