What is a Neck Lift?
The neck is one of the areas of the face that begins to show the first signs of aging. Some of these changes are:
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Laxity in the neck muscles can cause the loss of the natural line between the chin and neck seen in young people. While young people have a 90-degree angle, the angle widens as they get older.
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In some people, laxity and shortening of the neck muscle (platysma) results in strips or bands.
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Loss of subcutaneous fat tissue may cause neck muscle fibers to become more prominent.
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Fat accumulation in the sub-chin areas may cause a 'double chin' appearance.
Who are Neck Lift Candidates?
The ideal candidate is healthy male and female patients who are uncomfortable with the appearance of their neck. Facial aging naturally involves the entire face. Many patients have age-related changes in the midface and cheeks, as well as the neck. In these patients, a neck lift is performed together with a face lift surgery.
Patients who are candidates for surgery must have good general health. Hypertension, diabetes and other medical problems should be checked before surgery. Smoking should be stopped for at least 6 weeks before and after the surgery.
Pre-Neck Lift Surgery Evaluation:
Before the surgery, your facial anatomy and changes due to aging are evaluated in detail. As a result, a comprehensive surgical plan is made to solve the problems. Additionally, your general health condition, which will affect the result, is evaluated. Medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, medication, smoking, and scars due to previous surgeries are evaluated in detail. If you smoke, you will be asked to quit for at least 6 weeks before and after the surgery. Thus, potential complications related to wound healing are tried to be minimized.
Neck Lift Surgery Day
Neck lift is usually performed under general anesthesia and is combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures. is combined. Surgery takes an average of 2-3 hours, but if there are additional procedures, the time will be longer. The patient who has undergone neck lift only usually returns home on the same day. You can be discharged to your relief.
What is Done in Neck Lift Surgery?
Neck lift surgery is a procedure performed under general anesthesia and can be discharged on the same day or the next day. Incisions are made behind the ear and extending into the hair. Additional incisions are often made along the natural lines under the chin. With these incisions, the underlying neck muscle, called the platysma, is accessed. This muscle is a fan-style muscle located on both sides of the neck. If the patient has a significant amount of fat accumulation, fat tissues are removed by liposuction (fat removal method) before this procedure.
The key point of neck lift is to obtain a young neck appearance by tightening and repositioning the neck muscles. The neck muscles, which are separated by a small incision made under the chin, are brought closer together in the midline. Afterwards, in necessary cases, the platysma is advanced upwards through the incision behind the ear and repositioned. After these procedures, the excess skin is removed and the incisions are closed. Drains are placed to collect fluid and blood that may accumulate after surgery.
After Neck Lift Surgery
A small dressing is applied after the surgery, the points you need to pay attention to and the medications to be used. is described. Drains are usually 2-4 days old. taken on days. In most patients, the stitches are removed after approximately 7 days. After the first check-up, a tight-fitting garment can be used to help reshape the neck.
Swelling and bruising in the surgery area will decrease within 1-2 weeks. You can help reduce swelling by keeping your head elevated for the first 5-7 days. The postoperative result is observed immediately and gets better over time as the swelling decreases. It may take up to 3 months for the swelling to disappear completely. In many patients, postoperative pain is at a level that responds to the medications used.
Initially, there may be numbness in the incisions and adjacent areas. In addition, some patients may have weakness in the facial muscles near the lips and mouth. In most cases, numbness and weakness resolve within a few weeks. In rare cases, it may take longer.
Neck Lift Surgery Complications
The most common complications are under the skin. It is blood accumulation, temporary numbness and muscle weakness. Rarely, permanent nerve damage may occur. Especially in smokers, there may be wound healing problems in incision areas. Healing is usually achieved with dressing. Wound infections are very rare and resolved with antibiotics.
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