Neck Lift

Summer Skin Hazards Slideshow

• How a neck lift is done
• Turkey Wattle -- Weakened or loose neck muscles
• Excess fat in the neck area
• Too much skin in the neck area
• How should I prepare for a neck lift?
• What is the expected recovery from a neck lift?
• What are the complications and side effects of neck lift surgery?
• Does insurance cover this procedure?

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.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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