Necklift
What’s a Neck Lift?
Simply put, a neck lift, known by the medical community as platysmaplasty, is a procedure that includes removing excess skin and fat on the neck while lifting the skin to decrease the signs of neck aging. Your profile will look more streamlined as your jawline becomes more defined.
Though you can opt for neck tightening and lifting alone, patients often have neck lifts along with facelifts.
Dr. Gallo can precisely perform the lift to provide natural-looking results that enhance your appearance and take some years off your age.
Are You a Candidate for a Neck Lift?
You may benefit from a rejuvenated profile from a neck lift if you have any of the following:
- A poorly defined jawline
- Sagging skin (sometimes referred to as a “turkey neck”)
- Vertical neck bands from losing fat due to age
- Wrinkles
Through a neck lift, Dr. Gallo may define your neck’s silhouette if you have a double chin due to genetics. When paired with other treatments, this surgery may correct a double chin from fat accumulation as well, though Dr. Gallo offers Kybella – a non-surgical treatment specifically for double chin correction.
At your consultation, which you can schedule online, Dr. Gallo will review your medical history to reduce your chances of any complications from the procedure. You’ll receive an assessment of the skin in the area, so Dr. Gallo may predict the potential success of the surgery.
What Happens During a Neck Lift?
For a neck lift, Dr. Gallo will give you either an IV sedative and a local or a general. As a result, you’ll need to arrange for a ride to and from your procedure.
To reduce the amount of noticeable scarring, Dr. Gallo will make small incisions behind your ears and possibly underneath your chin to tighten the muscle and other tissue.
After your underlying tissue is in the proper position, your surgeon may tighten the skin by removing any excess and smoothing it to create a more youthful look. The aim is for the results to appear natural, so Dr. Gallo will carefully contour the skin with the underlying tissue.
You may receive either staples or stitches to close the incisions. If staples or non-dissolvable sutures are used, you’ll need to return to have Dr. Gallo remove them. However, you’ll need to return for follow-ups regardless of the suture type so Dr. Gallo can monitor healing.
Dr. Gallo may place drain tubes to remove excess fluid to help with healing.
At the end of the surgery, you’ll need to stay for a minimum of 30 minutes for monitoring to ensure the anesthesia or sedative is wearing off safely.
In total, the procedure usually takes two to three hours.
Neck Lift Recovery
After you undergo neck tightening and lifting, you’ll receive instructions on how to care for your dressing(s), when you can resume different activities, and other useful information. You’ll also receive a prescription for a pain reliever to take in the initial days after your surgery.
Usually, you’ll need to take 10 to 14 days off work to recover. During this time, you’ll need to limit how much you move your neck to avoid stressing your sutures.
Initially, you’ll have swelling and bruising, two normal responses to incisions. Within the first few weeks, these will subside. Expect full healing to take several months, though. After two to four weeks, you can usually resume all your usual activities.
Though it depends upon your incisions, you may not be able to take a hot shower, swim, or immerse yourself in a bath for the first several weeks. Dr. Gallo will provide you with specific instructions for your situation before you leave.
All of the following can help you recover optimally from your surgery:
- Following Dr. Gallo’s instructions carefully
- Resting enough during your initial recovery
- Wearing your bandage for the entire first week post-op
- Lying down with your head above your heart to ease swelling
Results of a Neck Lift
Once all the inflammation and bruising subside, your confidence will rise, as your neck appearance looks smoother and refreshed. Your jawline will appear more sculpted and prominent.
Any bands will better blend with the rest of your neck, and you’ll no longer have sagging skin. You’ll also see a decrease in the number of wrinkles.
Making Your Results Last
On average, a neck lift lasts 10 to 15 years. Your genetics, age, skin texture/quality, and lifestyle all affect how long your results remain.
Some tips can help you maintain the effects for as long as possible before you lose that well-defined neck or need a follow-up treatment to maintain the effects. For instance, avoid/stop smoking because nicotine accelerates the aging process by decreasing blood flow and collagen production.
The sun breaks down collagen and damages your skin on a cellular level, leading to skin aging.
For this reason, always wear sunscreen (reapplying it as needed) and protective clothing to shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can also make your results last because excessive weight gain or loss stretches the skin, while vitamins and other nutrients promote skin health. Moreover, staying hydrated ensures your skin retains its volume.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Lifts
Dr. Gallo and the team heard your questions and have the answers.
You can expect to pay around $6,100, but the price varies based on the extent of the procedure needed, the anesthesia, and any additional procedures you’re having. You’ll receive a detailed summary of the expenses so you can make a decision if a neck lift is worth it. You can also look into non-surgical options if you’re looking for a less expensive treatment.
Because every person ages differently, as a general rule, you should wait until the signs of aging start to affect your neck. Usually, that’s around 40 or 50. You can also receive touch-up treatments in the future to make your results last if you’re worried about getting a neck lift too early.
To ensure your comfort, you’ll receive either a general or a local along with IV sedation. When you’re ready for discharge, Dr. Gallo will write you a prescription for an analgesic to take for the first several days after surgery to curb any pain. The initial pain will subside in the first week or two, though you may still feel some neck tightness or discomfort for a few weeks after that.
For most people, the most effective way to lift the neck is through surgery. However, if you have a double chin, Kybella may successfully sculpt your neck, possibly better than a lift.
Every patient is different when it comes to the longevity of the results because of genetics, lifestyle habits, etc. With that said, on average, the results of a neck lift last 10 to 15 years.
The procedure is an intricate process that requires a great deal of skill and precision to perform.
You’re also paying for the expense of a sterile room, the use of equipment, and a number of other things that add to the cost. But, above all, you’re paying for the expertise of a surgeon who’ll provide you with the results you desire.
No, during a neck lift, Dr. Gallo only focuses on your neck. You, however, can opt for a facelift to target your lower face. Dr. Gallo even performs these two procedures together to minimize the expense and recovery time.
Insurance won’t cover cosmetic procedures like a neck lift.
Dr. Gallo’s patients leave happy with the results they receive from a neck lift. Plus, they enjoy those benefits for years to come. RealSelf gave the procedure a 91% satisfaction rating based on patient reviews.
You may opt for a neck lift without getting any other procedures. Some patients, though, choose to have a facelift along with their neck lift procedure to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate from their cheeks downward.
Contact Gallo MD
in Midtown Miami
Address
115 NE 32nd Street, Suite
102-A, Miami, FL 33137
