A neck lift is a surgical procedure that restores a tight, youthful appearance to skin under the chin and neck area which has lost elasticity and exhibits banding. It also corrects the heavy neck or double chin. Dr. Ellenbogen’s article “restoration of the youthful neck” is the paragon of neck correction for over 20 years for doctors all over the world.
There are a number of procedures available to enhance the appearance of the neck. They range from very minimal in-office treatments with no down time, to more invasive procedures requiring anesthesia and time off for recovery. Aging of the neck is usually a combination of loose skin and muscle and some excess fat.
Neck lift plastic surgery may include one of three procedures, depending on the type of defect and degree of sagging and heaviness of the neck of the individual.
- Liposuction: Patient has good elasticity and only fat to correct
- Cervicoplasty: Extreme loose skin and muscles and poor elasticity
- Platysmaplasty
Typically, a neck lift will include the removal of fat. Cervicoplasty may be included to tighten excess skin, and platysmaplasty to remove or tighten neck muscles, a process that gets rid of unwanted band lines. A neck lift may also be part of a combination treatment plan, in conjunction with a forehead lift, facelift, or eyelid surgery.
Men
Liposuction for men’s necks works well only for the simplest fat deposits in the younger neck. Men’s skin is thicker and less elastic than a woman’s, and therefore doesn’t retract as well when fat is removed. Further, a man’s neck muscles have frequently descended into the neck. Removal of the fat without repairing the muscles may leave “turkey gobbler” bands. A submental neck lift addresses both problems, including fat and muscles, for a clean jaw line and neck. This is not to say that on some men, liposuction alone is not effective. Older men or men who have lost significant weight, however, will require a facelift.
Women
Women’s necks can sometimes be rejuvenated with liposuction if the skin is still elastic enough. However, like men’s necks, if the skin has been stretched out too far, a submental neck lift is necessary. This procedure will also correct the turkey gobbler band muscles.
Recovery
Recovery takes time, and it’s important that you’re patient with the process. Most people can return to work in 10 to14 days. If you participate in other sports or are physically active, you will have to wait at least three weeks.
