With the ageing process the skin of the neck and chin tend to sag and fatty excess can occur in the submental (beneath the chin) region.
In some patients bands appear under the chin as a result of muscle over activity. In many patients the neck is one of the main features responsible for the ageing effect.
The necklift procedure aims to correct these changes.
Pre-operative advice
In the initial outpatient consultation following a full assessment and examination of the patient, a long discussion regarding the goals and realistic expectations of the surgery is undertaken. Aspirin and related anti-inflammatories should be stopped for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery as these increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Smoking increases the risks of many complications including wound infection, bleeding and poor scarring and should avoided for at least 2 weeks before - and 2 weeks following surgery.
Operation details
Patients attend the hospital on the day of surgery and are assessed by the nursing staff, the surgeon and the anaesthetist. Most necklifts are undertaken under a general anaesthetic, the surgery usually lasts between 2 and 3 hours. The hospital stay is between 1 and 2 nights depending on the nature of the surgery.
In the necklift procedure the incisions are located around the ear and in the hairline behind the ear, the neck muscles are tightened and any skin excess corrected. Additionally in the submental (beneath the chin) region a further incision may be required (this is hidden in the crease underneath the chin) in order to correct fatty excess and any muscle banding.
Liposuction and occasionally fat-grafting may also be required. By using a combination of these techniques a natural and long lasting effect can be achieved. Many patients who have a necklift also opt to have additional procedures performed such as a facelift, browlift, eyelid corrections, lip resurfacing or augmentation and chemical peels.
Following surgery
For the first 24 hours most patients are advised to rest. The swelling is reduced by keeping the head elevated and by applying cold compresses. Pain is not normally a significant feature although analgesia (pain relief medicine) will be given as required.
Patients are discharged either 1 or 2 days following surgery depending on the exact nature of the procedure. Some bruising and swelling is inevitable though most of this will usually fade away within 1 or 2 weeks and the “hideaway” period is usually 10-14 days.
Because of the nature of the surgery whilst many of the changes are visible within a fortnight, the full result cannot be fully assessed for at least 3 if not 6 months following surgery.
Follow up
Arrangements for follow up care will be made prior to discharge. Patients are normally seen between 7 and 10 days following surgery for removal of stitches, and then at 1 month and 4-6 months by the surgeon.
Risks and complications
As with all surgery there are risks of complications. With necklifts the main risk in the first 24 hours is of bleeding resulting in a collection of blood underneath the neck skin which would necessitate a return to the operating theatre. In the first 2 weeks following surgery wound infections can occur though these are usually easily treated with either topical (applied to the skin) or oral antibiotics.
In some patients lumpiness and facial swelling can persist for several weeks. The most significant risk however of necklift procedures is of injury to the facial nerve which can result in one side of the mouth region not moving appropriately.
Fortunately in most cases this is a temporary problem which usually resolves within a few weeks of surgery.
Your new look
Healing is a gradual process and the full result really cannot be assessed for between 3 and 6 months. Although the ageing process cannot be stopped, the effect of the necklift will last for many years and a lot of patients will never require any further neck rejuvenation procedures.
As with all surgery there are risks of complications. With necklifts the main risk in the first 24 hours is of bleeding resulting in a collection of blood underneath the neck skin which would necessitate a return to the operating theatre. In the first 2 weeks following surgery wound infections can occur though these are usually easily treated with either topical (applied to the skin) or oral antibiotics.