A neck lift surgery is a procedure to remove excess tissue from the neck to give it a more youthful appearance. It can also be used for skin that sags as people age and for treating specific medical problems such as thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
An experienced plastic surgeon performs the procedure only after the patient has undergone a thorough examination to ensure that surgery is necessary, appropriate, and safe. However, according to webmd.com, the risks associated with neck lift surgery are minimal when performed on an otherwise healthy person by a qualified surgeon.
How Does a Neck Lift Work?
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Sagging neck skin is often simply due to aging, but it can also result from excess body fat and loose skin. Neck lift surgery removes excess tissue and tightens the skin to recreate more youthful contours. Depending on individual patient needs, it can be performed under local anesthetic or general anesthesia. Surgery may require multiple visits to complete, with each visit involving a small incision and mild recovery time depending on the intensity of the neck lift, says plasticsurgery.org.
What Does a Neck Lift Surgery Involve?
Depending on the amount and kind of excess tissue present, neck lift surgery can take 6 to 8 hours. The surgeon removes the unwanted fat, skin, and tissue between the jawline and collarbone. Then, excess skin is removed from beneath the chin and around the neck.
The incisions made in a neck lift are designed to be as inconspicuous as possible; therefore, they are often hidden by hair. The incisions can be inside or outside of the hairline. The incisions are closed with sutures, and stitches dissolve within a week of the surgery.
Recovery Time For A Neck Lift Surgery
Recovery from neck lift surgery proceeds in seven steps. The first day after surgery is spent in the hospital or clinic because of the monitoring of vital signs. Next, residents are used to repairing any sutures that may have slipped out; the stitches remain for several weeks. After that, patients go home where they can get comfortable with mobility exercises and return to work after one or two days.
The recovery period can vary from one person to the next due to many factors, including the amount of weight loss, the type and amount of skin laxity present, and even individual pain tolerance.
Risks Involved In Neck Lift Surgery
Possible risks of neck lift surgery include general anesthesia, bleeding, infection, and swelling. Slight bruising may occur in the incision sites. In addition, some people may experience psychological issues such as anxiety over not looking younger or being more attractive to others during recovery.
Risks of surgical complications include infection, nerve injury, and nerve damage with muscle weakness or paralysis that can lead to permanent disability and disfigurement.
In the next paragraph are some of the benefits of neck lift surgery.
Benefits Of A Neck Lift Surgery
1. Tightening of the underlying muscles
As age progresses, the muscles lose their elasticity and tend to sag, leading to sagging skin. This can also happen due to a decrease in muscle mass. A neck lift surgery removes excess skin and tissues while at the same time tightening muscles and ligaments. This, in turn, gives a more youthful and tightened appearance to the neck area.
2. Contour the jawline and chin
The jawline gets worn out as the years go by. With a neck lift surgery, skin that is sagging can be removed, and at the same time, the skin between the jawline and collarbone can be tightened to give a more youthful appearance.
The chin has excess fat below it, which cannot be seen, but with a neck lift surgery, this fat can be removed and, at the same time, tightened to give a more youthful appearance.
3. Rejuvenation of neck skin
Skin color in the neck area tends to change with age. This is mainly because of exposure over time to sunlight and the production of vitamin D by the body. With neck lift surgery, excess skin can be removed while at the same time tightening the skin so that it retains its youthful color and appearance. Neck lift surgery also gives a more rejuvenated look to the skin on top of the head.
4. Removal of excess skin
On the skin between the jawline and collarbone, a delicate and continuous line connects from the ear to the neck. This line tends to become distorted as people age and also with increased weight. With neck lift surgery, excess skin can be removed to restore this delicate and continuous line.
5. Minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
As people age, wrinkles and fine lines usually develop alongside the jawline. Neck lift surgery can help to minimize these lines by tightening the skin around the jawline and, at the same time removing excess skin so that fewer wrinkles and fine lines are seen.
6. Restoration of the neck’s natural shape
Many people who have had a neck lift surgery have also undergone liposuction on their stomach and hips to remove excess fat for a more youthful appearance. Neck lift surgery can also be used to remove excess skin and fat from the neck to restore its natural shape.
7. Remove excess fat
As people age, there is a tendency for the fat around the chin and jawline to become more prominent. Neck lift surgery can help to remove this excess fat and, at the same time, tighten the skin on these areas so that a more youthful look can be achieved.
8. Minimal scarring
The incisions made during a neck lift surgery are hidden by hair, so the scars are barely noticeable. Scarring is also related to the body’s healing process, which can take about 6 to 10 weeks.
9. Accomplishes more to reverse aging in a single procedure
A neck lift surgery can correct the problems that come with aging, such as loose skin, droopy skin, and sagging skin, by removing excess fat and tightening the underlying muscles. These procedures can be combined to complete the neck’s rejuvenation, creating a better appearance without the disadvantages of each procedure being performed separately.
In conclusion, neck lift surgery is an excellent procedure to reverse the effects of aging on the neck and is a beautiful alternative to that cosmetic surgery. It is relatively easy to undergo the procedure and less expensive than most other cosmetic surgeries. The recovery time is short, and the results are excellent, making neck lift surgery one of the best options for a person who wants to reverse aging on their neck, according to healthline.com.
