Neck Lift

Initial Consultation

Before undergoing the neck lift procedure, the patient must first schedule a neck lift consultation with our board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Brandon Kallman. During this consultation, Dr. Kallman will ask you about your medical history. This includes any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and whether you have had any past surgeries. It is extremely important to share this information with Dr. Kallman to ensure that neck lift surgery is a safe cosmetic procedure for you.

During the consultation, you will discuss your desired outcomes and whether these results can realistically be achieved through neck lift surgery. This consultation is also the time when photographs may be taken of the target location to help Dr. Kallman plan the surgical process and decided which surgical techniques are right for you. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Preparing for Surgery

Before your surgery, it is important to:

• Cease taking any blood thinning medications, including aspirin, for up to two weeks prior to the procedure.
• Refrain from smoking for a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery. It is recommended that patients quit smoking entirely as smoking tobacco promotes the formation of wrinkles as well as slowing recovery and healing.
• Limit sun exposure for at least two weeks prior to surgery.
• Do not eat or drink anything six hours before your scheduled surgery as general anesthetic is typically used for this procedure.
• Ensure you have purchased any recommended recovery items before your appointment. Be sure to ask for recommendations during your consultation.

Neck lifts are usually performed on an outpatient basis depending on the extent of the surgery. In these cases, since general anesthesia is typically used, we ask that you plan to have a family member or close friend pick you up after your surgery.

The Surgical Process

Neck lift surgery begins by administering either general anesthesia or a combination of local anesthesia and a sedative to the patient based on individual physiology. The next step is the incision. Depending on your treatment goals, either a traditional neck lift or a limited incision neck lift will be used. In a traditional neck lift, the incision typically begins in the hairline of the sideburn, continuing down and around the ear to end in the posterior hairline. For the limited incision neck lift technique, incisions may only involve shorter incisions behind each ear. Note that the results of this surgical approach may be less significant.

Once the incision is made, your plastic surgeon may sculp or redistribute fat from the neck and jowls. The tissue beneath the neck skin is then repositioned. At this point, the platysma muscle is typically tightened. Your experienced board certified plastic surgeon will then re-drape your skin over the now uplifted contours followed by trimming away any excess skin. For many patients, an additional incision is made under the chin to perform liposuction in the neck area as well as to repair the muscles.

Finally, your surgeon will close the incisions with sutures and, in some cases, skin glue as well. Depending on the surgeon performing the neck lift, dissolving sutures may be used otherwise sutures will be removed in a few days. Since the incision is made along the hairline, any scarring is usually well concealed.

Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication to make your recovery more comfortable. Be sure to follow any and all instructions carefully. Contact your doctor if you have any questions.