Procedures / Face

neck lift

Often after massive weight loss, patients loose fat in the neck. This can led to hanging neck skin and can artificially make a patient look older than they really are. The solution is usually a neck lift. The neck lift tightens the neck muscles and skin, resulting in a smooth neck with a chiseled jaw line. The best way to achieve a neck lift is usually through a hidden face lift incision around the ear. The main neck muscle is the platysma. After massive weigh loss in the neck, the platysma is the muscle you usually see. This muscle appears as vertical bands from the jaw to the clavicles. Correction of these platysmal bands is one of the essential elements in the neck lift. Often, the facelift and the neck lift are performed at the same time. However, they can be done independently.

The Procedure

The start of the procedure is very similar to the face lift; please see the face lift section. The neck lift alone takes about 3 to 4 hours. If the neck lift is combined with a face lift, the combined procedure takes about 4 to 5 hours. The neck lift differs from the facelift in that the dissection is extended from the face to completely around the front of the neck. The neck muscles are identified and exposed. The inner border of the platysma is identified and tightened. This is often called a corset platysmaplasty. To allow for long lasting results, this neck muscle plication or corset platysmaplasty is performed with permanent suture. The neck skin is then redraped, excess removed, and closed meticulously. Bulky dressings are placed and are removed several days later. Your neck will feel tight and your face and neck will look more youthful. Your neck line should also be distinct. Often a 90 degree angle from the chin to the neck is achieved by tightening the muscle and skin. More often than not, neck swelling and bruising is gone after a week. Most patients are able to return to work approximately 7 to 10 after a neck lift.