What You Need To Know About Neck Lift

Neck Lift (Lower Rhytidectomy) at Grandville Medical Group

A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that addresses visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck.

What a Neck Lift Can Treat:

• Excess fat and skin laxity in the lower face causing jowls
• Submental fat (double chin)
• Loose neck skin (“turkey neck”)
• Muscle banding in the neck

The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be caused by heredity, gravity, environmental factors, and stress. A neck lift can be a good option for individuals whose neck appearance doesn’t match their upper face.

Procedures Often Performed with a Neck Lift:

• Brow lift
• Fat transfer
• Eyelid surgery

What a Neck Lift Cannot Do:

A neck lift is a restorative surgery; it does not change your fundamental appearance or stop the aging process. It can only be performed surgically. Nonsurgical treatments cannot achieve the same results but may delay the need for a neck lift or complement surgical results.

Nonsurgical Neck Rejuvenation Options:

• Botox (for neck bands)
• Fractionated laser treatment (for skin texture)
• Dermal fillers (for volume loss)
• Kybella (for fat reduction)
• Radiofrequency microneedling (for collagen production)
• Ultrasound (for collagen stimulation)

Good Candidates for a Neck Lift:

• Healthy individuals without medical conditions that impair healing
• Nonsmokers
• Individuals with realistic expectations

Neck Lift Consultation:

Be prepared to discuss:

• Your surgical goals
• Medical conditions, allergies, and treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, supplements, and substance use
• Previous surgeries

Your surgeon will:

• Evaluate your health and risk factors
• Discuss your options
• Examine and measure your face
• Take photographs
• Recommend a treatment plan
• Discuss likely outcomes, risks, and complications
• Discuss anesthesia options

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon:

• Board certification and memberships
• Hospital privileges
• Accreditation of surgical facility
• Candidacy for the procedure
• Expectations for best results
• Procedure location and method
• Recommended surgical technique
• Expected recovery period and required assistance
• Risks and complications
• Complication management
• Long-term appearance
• Options for dissatisfaction with results
• Before-and-after photos and realistic expectations

Neck Lift Risks:

• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Facial asymmetry
• Fluid accumulation (hematoma)
• Infection
• Numbness or other sensory changes
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing
• Prolonged swelling
• Nerve injury (rare)
• Deep venous thrombosis (rare)
• Skin irregularities and discoloration
• Skin loss
• Suture extrusion
• Hair loss (temporary or permanent)
• Unfavorable scarring
• Unsatisfactory results requiring revision surgery

Neck Lift Preparation:

You may be asked to:

• Get lab tests or a medical evaluation
• Adjust medications
• Stop smoking
• Avoid certain medications and supplements

Pre-Operative Instructions:

• Night before and morning of surgery instructions
• Anesthesia information
• Postoperative care instructions

Neck Lift Procedure Steps:

1. Anesthesia: Intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.
2. Incision: Traditional or limited incision, depending on desired results. Fat may be sculpted, and the platysma muscle is often tightened. Skin is redraped, and excess skin is removed. A separate incision under the chin may be necessary.
3. Closure: Incisions are closed with sutures or skin glue.
4. Results: Visible improvements appear as swelling and bruising subside.

Neck Lift Recovery:

• Bandage and possible drain placement
• Specific instructions for care, medications, and follow-up
• Head elevation and straight positioning
• No ice application

Recovery Questions to Ask Your Surgeon:

• Post-surgery location
• Medications
• Dressings/bandages and removal
• Stitch removal
• Driving restrictions
• Activity and exercise resumption
• Follow-up appointments

Expected Results:

Swelling may take weeks to months to resolve, and incisions may take up to six months to mature. Lifelong sun protection and a healthy lifestyle will help maintain results. Final results should provide a more youthful appearance and increased confidence. Results are not guaranteed, and additional surgery may be necessary.

Grandville Medical Group Neck Lift Procedure Information:

• Consultations: Three consultations (within two months), pre-op evaluation.
• Pre-op: Investigations, payment, confirmation of investigations, anesthesiologist review, specialist review (if needed), consent signing.
• Procedure: Admission, surgery.
• Post-op: Discharge, follow-up on days 4, 10, and 14. Long-term follow-up at 3, 6, 12 months, and 2 years. Revision if needed.

Change of Date or Cancellation Policy:

• Reschedule more than 20 working days prior: No charge.
• Reschedule 19-7 working days prior: 25% of procedure cost.
• Reschedule 6-2 working days prior: 35% of procedure cost.
• No-show: 100% of procedure cost.
• Repeat blood test required for rescheduling.

Additional Information:

Grandville Medical Group also has ECG and Echo machines, a laboratory, and treatment rooms for follow-ups. The facilities include a ward and a theatre.