One of the first areas of the body to show signs of aging is the neck. The delicate, thin skin on your neck can become loose and wrinkled with time, resulting in an unflattering sagging look. Additionally, age, weight loss, and genes are all factors that can lead to drooping jowls and a double chin. All these variables can make you appear older than your actual age.

It can be easy to just tolerate an unsightly neckline, but you don’t have to. There is another way to guarantee you will always have a graceful neckline. Platysmaplasty, often known as a neck lift surgery, can remove excess fat and sagging skin from your neck, resulting in a tauter and smoother contour. A neck lift procedure can dramatically transform your profile and jawline, making you look years younger than your age.

What to Expect Before a Neck Lift Procedure

Before undergoing a neck lift surgery, you must learn as much as you can about the procedure to see if it’s the best solution to your neckline problem. Consulting with a cosmetic surgeon helps to determine if you’re a viable candidate for neck lift surgery.

You can opt for a neck lift surgery if you have:

  • Saggy neckline due to weight loss
  • “Turkey neck” or loose, baggy neckline
  • Excess fat in the neck
  • Horizontal neck bands
  • Excess wrinkles
  • Double chin

Among the criteria for a neck lift procedure are the following:

  • You must be generally healthy.
  • You don’t have a cardiovascular condition or uncontrolled diabetes.
  • You are free of any medical condition that can slow down recovery.
  • You are not a smoker.
  • You don’t scar badly.
  • You have reasonable expectations for the result.
What To Expect During a Neck Lift Procedure

Since platysmaplasty is a surgical procedure, your doctor will give you anesthesia before the surgery begins. You can discuss the choice of sedative beforehand with your physician.

A surgical incision will be created from the top of your ear to your lower hairline. The cut will be on both sides and will generally follow the curve of your neckline. After making the incisions, your doctor will proceed based on the outcome you want to achieve.

Your cosmetic surgeon may sculpt, reduce, or redistribute extra fat in your neck to create a more appealing shape. They may also reposition or tighten the tissues underneath the skin or place or re-drape skin on a newly created contour. Or they may remove a double chin by making a small incision for liposuction.

What to Expect After a Neck Lift Procedure

A neck lift procedure is an outpatient operation, which means you can go home the same day of your procedure. Your doctor may also insert small, temporary tubes below the surface of your skin to drain blood and other fluids.

After the operation, you will likely have a swollen neck area. Bruises may be visible too, as well as neck muscle stiffness. The bruising may start to fade in two weeks. Neck swelling and stiffness might linger for three months or more.

You should avoid heavy lifting for the first several weeks after surgery. You can move around, but try not to strain your neck. Your doctor will also advise you on the best sleeping position while recovering. Moreover, it is vital not to ice your neck, even if you have muscle tension. You also must refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking aspirin.

Additional Facts You Must Know About Neck Lifts

A neck lift surgery can be a standalone or a joint procedure.

A neck lift can be a standalone cosmetic surgery to enhance the neckline. It can also be safely combined with other procedures for more pronounced results. Some patients choose to have face and neck lifts performed together to achieve overall facial rejuvenation.

A neck lift procedure has two main phases.

A cervicoplasty and a platysmaplasty are performed as part of a neck lift procedure. Cervicoplasty removes extra skin, whereas platysmaplasty tightens the neck muscles. This two-pronged technique produces the best results since it smooths not just the skin’s surface but also the underlying muscles.

A neck lift treatment produces long-term results.

Patients who get neck lift surgery maintain smoother graceful necklines and a more youthful look even up to 15 years later.

Choose the Right Neck Lift Surgeon

You must choose a board-certified surgeon for your neck lift surgery, just as you would for any other plastic or cosmetic procedure. Choosing an accredited treatment clinic, such as Palmer Cosmetic Surgery, guarantees that you get the best professional help. Palmer Cosmetic Surgery is the premier cosmetic clinic in Fort Lauderdale, providing a variety of cosmetic procedures. Contact us now, so we can discuss your neck lift treatment options.