Neck Lift

Unless it is Thanksgiving, no one wants to see a “turkey neck,” much less have one. As we age, the supportive tissues of the neck and jaw weaken and stretch, causing lower face jowls, loss of the angle of the jaw, and excess or hanging neck skin and muscles often referred to as a “turkey neck.”

The neck is one of the first places where we show our age. Fatty jowls, a “turkey wattle,” vertical banding, and horizontal creases all work together to make us look older than we feel. A neck lift enhances the appearance of the neck by tightening the skin and underlying neck muscles and improving the contour of the jawline. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with liposuction, a facelift, or a cheek lift but may also be done as a stand-alone procedure.

WHAT IS A NECK LIFT?

The Neck Lift is a surgical procedure that can be performed on its own or as part of a facelift. Different techniques include:

Short scar neck lift – incisions are made only around the ears for this procedure for minimal scarring, with sutures made under the skin and/or hidden in the fold of the ear or the hairline. The platysma muscle – the muscle that runs vertically along the front of the throat – is tightened, excess skin is removed and the skin remaining is tightened for a taut, youthful effect.
Platysmaplasty – the platysma muscle can start to loosen with time, resulting in a visible sag to the front of the neck. Sometimes this can be corrected as part of the Short Scar Neck Lift but, if the sagging is severe, another incision can be made under the skin to correct the neck muscles and recover them to a more youthful, tighter condition.

In addition, Liposculpture can be performed on the neck for people who have excess fatty tissue, resulting in a double chin. In this procedure, a small incision is made under the skin to remove the excess fat. To find out more about Liposculpture.

WHEN TO CONSIDER NECK LIFT?

If you have a turkey wattle that makes you look much older than your age
If you feel your neck is too fat
If you have lost the distinct jawline of your youth and want to restore it
If you have excess skin and wrinkles on your neck

WHAT SHOULD FIRST BE DONE BEFORE CONSIDERING A NECK LIFT?

Before the procedure, the doctor will usually review the patient’s medical history and conduct a physical exam. This is the time for the doctor and patient to discuss expectations, potential risks, and outcomes of the procedure. It’s important for the patient to have a realistic expectation for the outcome of the procedure.

PROCEDURE

The procedure of neck lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and the duration varies depending on the technique used. The steps for the procedure are:

The first step is the administration of general anesthesia.
After this, incisions will be made. The site and length of the incision will vary depending on the improvement required and the technique used. The sites for making incisions are:
- Beginning in the hairline at the level of sideburn, extending down around the ears and ending in the hairs at back.
- Beneath the chin.
- Around the ears only.
The surgeon will make the required alterations including:
- Removal of excess skin.
- Re-positioning of tissues.
- Removal of excess fat.
- Removal or tightening of muscles.
Finally, incisions are closed using stitches.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

A neck lift is an outpatient procedure, and patients can go home the same day. In the first step, our surgeons discuss anesthesia options with patients to provide comfort during the procedure. Anesthesia options include:

General anesthesia
Sedation

The second step begins with the surgeon making small incisions within the hairline on the back of the neck and behind the ears. Depending on the patient’s goals for the neck lift, the surgeon performs one or more procedures, such as:

Redistributing or removing fat from the jowls and neck
Tightening neck muscles
Repositioning the neck skin and underlying tissue
Removing excess neck skin

Sometimes, we make a small incision under the chin to tighten the central muscles in the neck and use liposuction to remove unwanted fat.

In the third step, the surgeon closes the incisions using sutures or skin adhesives. A drain tube is often placed for most patients.

During their recovery, patients can expect to:

Receive medication to relieve pain and/or reduce the risk of infection for a few days after the procedure
Have some swelling and mild bruising for the first few days; most swelling goes away in about two weeks, but some minor swelling can last several weeks
Return to work and most activities within a week
Resume more strenuous activities after a few weeks

NECK LIFT BENEFITS

There are many benefits associated with the neck lift Dubai. Some of them include:

It helps you achieve the thinner, younger, and more elegant appearance of the neck.
It is a safe procedure and very few temporary side-effects are associated with it.
Scarring is unnoticeable as incisions are made in inconspicuous sites.

Des Neck Lift requires anesthesia?

Neck Lift surgery can be performed under general anesthesia, local and twilight anesthesia, depending on individual circumstances and if the surgery is being performed alongside other complimentary procedures. Your surgeon will be able to specify which type of anesthesia will be required in your individual case.

Are the results of Neck Lift permanent?

The results of a Neck Lift are long lasting but of course the ageing process does not stop once you have the procedure! To ensure that the results look good for as long as possible, you should lead a healthy lifestyle and enjoy a healthy diet, avoid smoking, follow a good skincare routine and avoid excessive exposure to the sun.

Neck Lift consultation

During your consultation, you’ll go over your goals and learn about the options. You and your doctor will talk about your overall health, any medical conditions you have, and medicines and supplements you take. You should talk about the risks of the different procedures and what results you can realistically expect:

Turkey Wattle: Your surgeon may recommend surgery, which involves making cuts under your chin or behind your ears or both to access a neck muscle called the platysma. Sometimes, that may even mean removing some muscle.
Newer procedures let your surgeon make smaller cuts and use an endoscope (a small camera attached to a thin tube) to do this surgery. Make sure you ask your surgeon for all your options during your consultation.
You and your surgeon will discuss what type of anesthesia to use, depending on your level of comfort. If you want to be asleep during the procedure, you should request general anesthesia. Otherwise, your surgeon can use local anesthesia with sedation. It’s up to you to make that choice.
Instead of surgery or in addition to it, Botulinum toxin injections can relax parts of the platysma that are responsible for the “band” appearance or look of fullness. Those injections can be done in 15 minutes on an outpatient basis, meaning no overnight stay.
Liposuction: During liposuction, your surgeon will make a small cut below your chin and remove excess fat. If you are also getting other procedures, it is very common for cosmetic surgeons to begin with liposuction. You will be able to determine this with your doctor during your consultation.
If this is the only procedure you’re getting, you should plan on the operation lasting up to an hour. Your incisions will be stitched and bandaged. It’s important to make sure you understand and follow your doctor’s instructions on properly caring for the stitches and bandage.
Too Much Skin on Your Neck: Your surgeon will trim parts of the skin and lift it into place, securing it with tissue glue or stitches. This takes about two to four hours, depending on the complexity of your procedure. Again, your type of anesthesia will depend on your own personal comfort level.
Your surgeon will fit you with a compression bandage that you will have to wear for at least 1 week unless instructed otherwise.

Who is a suitable candidate for Neck Lift?

Neck lift surgery could be appropriate if you are experiencing:

A ‘double chin’ effect from fatty deposits
Vertical bands on your neck
Sagging skin around your neck and jawline
A wrinkled, lined neck

During the consultation process, the quality of your skin will be assessed to determine how effective neck lift surgery may be. The results can be affected if your skin has lost too much elasticity or has been damaged by the sun. It is important to have realistic expectations and our experienced medical staff will discuss the process and possible outcome thoroughly with you.