Neck Lift (Isolated Neck Lift) Montgomery AL

A neck lift addresses the tissue under the jawline. It will not address areas above the jawline such as the jowl (click here for procedures that will address this region as well). Everyone’s anatomy is different and because of this the techniques used vary greatly and are custom-tailored to your individual neck. During your consultation at Alabama Surgical Arts, Dr. Nizam will evaluate the components of your neck contributing to your aesthetic complaints and propose treatments to address these areas. Please note not everyone is a candidate for isolated neck lifts and some will be better served by a deep plane facelift. Below are common causes of neck sagging and fullness and their treatments. 

Loose skin– Depending on the quality of the skin and the amount of the skin can be contracted with radiofrequency (Facetite), re-draped like spreading a sheet out or excised through incisions behind and around the ear.

Fat– Fat typically resides in two areas: above the muscles of the neck and below the muscles of the neck. Some people have large amounts of fat above the platysma muscle which is easily targeted with liposuction. Often times a component of this fat is below the platysma muscle, which requires surgical removal and is not amenable to liposuction. Contemporary concepts of neck rejuvenation have moved to removal of deeper fat and leaving a thick coat of fat under the skin to provide natural youthful smooth contour. Look at young person’s neck and you will note smooth full skin and the absence of visible contour irregularities. 

Platsymal bands– This muscle separates the more superficial fat in the neck from the deeper fat and structures. When you frown you can see these muscles contract. As stated above maintaining a thick layer of fat over these muscles helps create smooth contours post operatively. Aggressive removal of this fat through techniques such as isolated liposuction can make them more visible and the neck less esthetic. Most people have an opening between these two muscles and this is addressed by sewing them together during the surgery once the deeper structures have been addressed. 

Deeper Structures–  Most people have deeper components in the neck that contribute to poor contours and fullness. These include deep fat, large muscles, and submandibular glands. Prior techniques rarely addressed these. Modern techniques of deep neck work concentrate on addressing this region, while leaving a thick curtain of superficial fat to cover over the new contour that has been created. 

Skeletal Deficiency– Some people have a weak chin or jawline. This can lead to premature aging in the neck. This is simply addressed through placement of implants to build the skeletal anatomy to ideal and provide long lasting support.

Recovery

It is necessary to have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. Social downtime is typically 7-14 days and depends on what procedures were performed. A compressive dressing is sometimes placed for the first 24 hours. Drains are placed for the 4-7 days depending on their output. You are seen after 24 hours, and these dressings are removed and the surgical site is examined. The face and neck may initially feel tight. At 1-week sutures are removed and a majority of any bruising that has occurred has usually began to subside. Make up can be worn. The following week an elastic head wrap is worn only at night.   Minor contour irregularities can be present in the initial few weeks and gradually disappear as swelling and edema subsides over the first 1-2 months.

Complications following neck lifts are rare. These include bleeding, infection, loss of skin behind the ears, facial nerve injury, discoloration of the skin, numbness, asymmetry, and scarring. Infection is rare due to the large blood supply to the face. The risk of wound complications increases in diabetics, persons with a history of radiation, autoimmune and collagen disease, and smokers. Dr. Nizam requires smokers to quit prior to undergoing the procedure due to the increased risk of complications.

Longevity

An often-asked question is how long does the procedure last? The goal as mentioned earlier is to turn back the clock 10 years. The face continues to age from the date of surgery onward. Additionally, minimally invasive maintenance procedures may be recommended to maintain the result.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation at Alabama Surgical Arts in Montgomery, AL. 

Click here for Neck Lift Before and After Pictures