Neck Lift
Do you want to trick people into thinking you've lost a lot of weight? You
might want to consider a neck lift. Oftentimes, people won't even notice that
your neck muscles, fat or skin has been surgically altered if you have a neck
lift.
Even though your neck can age before your face, Father Time is not always
responsible for that appearance you'd like to undo. If you've lost a lot of
weight, your neck may be taking its time to catch up. For others, it's a matter
of genetics. Whatever the reason, people young and old undergo neck lift
procedures all the time.
A neck lift is actually a set of procedures used to enhance the appearance of
your neck:
- Cervicoplasty is the procedure used to remove excess skin
- Platysmaplasty removes or
alters neck muscles
Your surgeon also can perform neck liposuction, which removes excess fat. In some cases, Botox injections may be the answer to your problems if you have fullness or "bands."
How a Neck Lift Is Done
Typically, the procedure will last two to three hours. Of course, if you are
having a neck lift in conjunction with liposuction, facelift, brow lift, or
other surgeries, the time will vary accordingly. Your exact procedure will
depend on your desired results and your own personal circumstances. In order to
undergo a neck lift, you must be in good general health, both physically and
mentally.
What do you dislike about your neck? Be honest with yourself! You're putting
a lot of time and effort into researching the surgery, so make sure you get the
results you want. You also should write down your thoughts on what you'd like to
correct and have that with you at the time of your pre-operative consultation.
Here are some of the most common concerns:
- Turkey wattle neck
- Excess fat
- Too much skin
Turkey Wattle -- Weakened or Loose Neck Muscles
If you have weakened or loose neck muscles, this may cause the "turkey
wattle" or appearance of neck "bands."
To correct this, your surgeon may recommend platysmaplasty surgery. The
surgeon makes incisions under your chin and/or behind your ears to access the
platysma (neck muscle) and manipulate it accordingly. Sometimes, that may even
mean removing some muscle. Your surgeon may also use permanent sutures to hold
the tissue in place.
There are new less invasive procedures, where your surgeon may be able to
make smaller incisions and use an endoscope (small camera attached to a thin
tube) to complete your surgery. Make sure you ask your surgeon for all your
options during your consultation.
You and your surgeon will discuss what type of anesthesia to use, depending
on your level of comfort. If you want to remain asleep during the procedure, you
should request general anesthesia. Otherwise, your surgeon can use local
anesthesia with sedation. It's up to you, however, to make that determination.
Instead of surgery or in addition to it, Botox injections can relax parts of
the platysma that are responsible for the "band" appearance or look of fullness.
The injections are completed on an outpatient basis and typically can be
completed within 15 minutes.
Next: Turkey Wattle -- Weakened or loose neck muscles »
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