As we age, different areas of the face and neck are affected differently. Some people develop
wrinkling and sun damage in their entire face and neck. Some people seem to lose facial fat, while others accumulate fat in
the neck and maintain good skin tone. Others may develop more exaggerated signs of aging in their neck.
Neck rejuvenation surgery can provide dramatic results, especially when combined with other
rejuvenating procedures.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR NECK REJUVENATION?
The best candidates for neck rejuvenation are patients in good health with realistic expectations.
They have good skin tone and elasticity. It is helpful if they have a fat pad under the skin and on top of the neck muscles.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE CORRECTED WITH WHICH PROCEDURES?
• Loose, sagging skin under the chin requires tightening of the skin with a laser.
•
If the skin is too excessive, it may need to be removed with excisional surgery.
• If you have visible vertical bands
in your neck, the neck muscles will need to be tightened in the midline.
• Fat deposits in the neck can be removed
with liposuction or direct excision.
YOUR CONSULTATION
During your initial consultation, your doctor will discuss your goals for the surgery and explain
your probable outcome of treatment. Your doctor will also help you decide which procedure or combination of procedures will
best meet your cosmetic goals. You may be shown before and after treatment photographs of patients having similar conditions,
and your doctor will explain the treatment you can expect to receive. Before and after photographs may be taken of your neck
to document the results.
THE PROCEDURES
Neck rejuvenation procedures are generally performed as outpatient procedures, in our surgical
suite, using local anesthesia. Each procedure may be combined in order to maximize improvement.
Lasers can be used to tighten the skin that is only a little loose, while neck liposuction
is accomplished through tiny incisions placed behind the ears and under the chin. With neck liposuction, little straw-like
cannulas are used to suction the fat away.
Endoscopic surgery through a small incision placed underneath the chin may be used to tighten
the neck muscles if you do not have excessive skin.
A necklift may be the best approach if the excess skin is significant. The skin is pulled up
and back and the excess skin is removed. This provides a new, more pleasing neck and jaw line. The incisions are hidden inconspicuously
behind your ears.
Your doctor will help you choose the procedure or combination of procedures that will best
meet your goals.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY PROCESS LIKE AFTER NECK REJUVENATION?
Depending on the extent of the procedure, you may have some swelling and localized bruising
which can be covered with make-up. Both are generally gone within 4 to 10 days. A bandage will be placed underneath your chin
and an elastic bandage is wrapped around your neck and head. The next morning you may remove the bandage. However, it is important
that you continue to wear the elastic garment at night for 2 weeks.
Any sutures that require removal are taken out after about a week to ten days. Over the next
several months, as the healing process occurs, the soft suppleness of the neck skin will return.
Following your neck rejuvenation procedure, your pulled back and tightened neck will have a
youthful, more defined profile. You may resume normal activities almost immediately. Most patients are active and going out
by the next day.
