One of the first places where signs of aging become visible is the neck. In addition to developing a dreaded “turkey wattle”, some people also have a neck that appears older than their face. If either of these describes you, a neck lift could be needed to help you regain your youthful appearance. Double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Phillip Garcia, the head of Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery, performs neck lifts on men and women in and around St. Augustine, FL.
What Is A Neck Lift?
Medically known as a platysmaplasty, a neck lift is a cosmetic procedure that restores a youthful appearance to the neck by tightening its muscles and trimming sagging skin. A neck lift may also be performed to reduce what looks like “bands” in the neck, as well as to lift skin that sags below the jawline. As such, a neck lift will result in better definition with less wrinkling in the jaw and neck area.
Many of the following common issues can be treated with a neck lift:
- Fatty deposits in the neck and lower part of the face
- Loose, sagging skin
- Folds or bands in the neck
- Turkey wattle
The Neck Lift Procedure
Performed on an outpatient basis, a neck lift requires only twilight or local anesthesia. This very safe procedure requires incisions either behind the ears, underneath the chin, or occasionally in both areas. These incisions allow Dr. Garcia to access the underlying neck muscles so that they can be tightened and realigned. After that, excess skin and fat are trimmed away, the remaining skin is pulled tight and lifted, and incisions are used to close the wound.
Neck Lift Recovery
Some light swelling and/or bruising may occur after a neck lift, and is completely normal. Use over-the-counter medication if you experience swelling or discomfort. Any dressings that were applied may be removed within a couple of days, and absorbable sutures will require trimming after about a week or so during your follow-up appointment. During that visit, Dr. Garcia will likely clear you to resume normal activities.
