Loose, wrinkled neck skin can present a noticeable contrast to the rejuvenation you achieved with facelift. Your new facial look may be age-defying, but your neck may be broadcasting secrets from the past, revealing your skin’s true chronology.
Below, experienced Southeastern Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda discusses the value of adding neck lift to facelift; creating an even appearance that is seamless, balanced — and timeless.
Time and Gravity
If you were born with skin that lacks flexibility and resilience, you may develop neck skin that sags, creates folds, or hangs loosely. This is especially true in the case of patients who have lost a great deal of weight: Skin that lacks suppleness will not shrink sufficiently to conform to the reduced volume of a slimmer neck.
Proven Solutions
Liposuction, cervicoplasty and platysmaplasty (neck lift) are the main surgical solutions for improving the appearance of the neck. Liposuction removes fat, cervicoplasty eliminates excess skin and platysmaplasty goes even deeper by tightening or excising neck muscles. In most cases these procedures can be performed endoscopically, which reduces scarring and typically can be done as an outpatient procedure with a local anesthetic.
For liposuction, Dr. Gowda will make a small incision below the chin. Using a safe, effective surgical variation known as tumescent liposuction, he will then inject into the target area a fluid that aids in loosening pockets of fat and insert a narrow, hollow tube to suction out fat cells. Dr. Gowda will remove fat with precision and an eye to aesthetic balance, being carefully not to over-correct.
With cervicoplasty, skin is cut and lifted after incisions are made under the chin and behind the ears. The skin is permanently held taut with special sutures. Platysmaplasty is indicated when sagging neck muscles create a “banded” appearance. During this surgery, Dr. Gowda will tighten, realign and sometimes remove a portion of the particular neck muscles that have lost integrity. As with cervicoplasty, permanent sutures will keep the muscles taut and smooth.
Recovery Time
For each of these procedures, you can expect swelling and a bruised appearance for up to 10 days. Once your surgical bandage is removed, typically the day after surgery, you will wear a special compression garment around the neck in the evening for two weeks or more. Your final result will emerge after three to six months.
If you would like to learn more about revitalizing neck procedures, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation with experienced Southeastern Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda by using our email form, or calling our Novi office at (248) 305-8400 or our Troy office at (248) 530-0000.