Neck Lift Procedures in Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Lake Orion, Troy, and the rest of Southeast Michigan

neck lift

What should I expect during my neck lift recovery?

During your recovery from neck lift surgery, a bandage could gently be placed around your face and neck to minimize swelling and bruising when your procedure is completed.

A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin.

You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

It is important to keep your head elevated above your heart to minimize swelling and to keep your head straight (no excessive twisting or bending of the neck). DO NOT APPLY ICE to the neck as this can compromise blood flow and result in skin death.

Be sure to ask your neck lift surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:

  • Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
  • What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
  • Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
  • When will they be removed?
  • Are stitches removed? When?
  • When is it safe for me to drive?
  • When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
  • When do I return for follow-up care?

What neck lift surgery can treat

  • Excess fat and skin relaxation in the lower face that creates jowls
  • Excess fatty deposits under the chin
  • Loose neck skin
  • Muscle banding in the neck, which created abnormal contours

The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions and stress.

Some people feel they are not ready for a full facelift because the upper face is still pleasing. However, many patients will note excess wrinkling of the neck skin, a double chin or “turkey wattle” and jowl lines.

When the neck area doesn’t match the upper facial appearance, a neck lift may be a good solution.

Rejuvenation procedures that can be performed in conjunction with a neck lift are: a brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow, fat transfer, to add fullness to the lips and cheeks and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, or eyelid surgery, to rejuvenate aging eyes.

What are the risks of neck lift surgery?

The decision to have a neck lift is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals, and if the risks and potential complications of a neck lift are acceptable.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.

Neck lift surgery risks include:

  • Anesthesia risks
  • Bleeding
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Fluid accumulation (hematoma)
  • Infection
  • Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
  • Persistent pain
  • Poor wound healing
  • Prolonged swelling
  • Rare nerve injury that could cause weakness of the lower lip
  • Rare risk of deep venous thrombosis with cardiac or pulmonary sequelae
  • Skin irregularities and discoloration
  • Skin loss
  • Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation and require removal
  • Temporary or permanent hair loss along the incisions
  • Unfavorable scarring
  • Unsatisfactory results which may require revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Special Care

ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!!!!!!!! Smoking is prohibited 4 weeks prior to and at least 4 weeks after surgery to allow for proper healing and best results.