Neck Improvement Surgery

Posterior Neck Lift is a relatively minor surgical procedure done to remove excess skin from the neck. As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their neck. Neck lift surgery can’t stop this aging process; what it can do is “turn back the clock,” improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and re-draping the skin of your neck.

A posterior neck lift usually takes a few hours and sometimes longer if you’re having more than one procedure done. Every surgeon approaches the procedure in his or her own way. Some complete one side of the neck at a time, and others move back and forth between the sides.

The exact placement of incisions and the sequence of events depend on your neck structure and your surgeon’s technique. Incisions usually begin behind the earlobe to the lower scalp. If the middle of the neck also needs work, a small incision may also be made under the chin. In general, Dr Wilkinson separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat may be trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve the contour. She then tightens the underlying muscle and membrane, pulls the skin back, and removes the excess.

Once the neck lift is complete, stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incision. Your head is loosely wrapped in bandages to minimise bruising and swelling and may be removed the next day.

Individuals that are wanting to rectify the ageing process in their neck area are ideal candidates for this procedure. Those between the ages of 40 and 65 are at the ideal age to undergo a neck lift as the skin in this area still possesses some elasticity.

Being in good physical and mental health is also beneficial to you, as this will assist you during your recovery. Patients who are smokers can develop keloid type scars, therefore it’s recommended that candidates who do smoke stop immediately.

There is no correct answer here as we and our surgeons are all unique; for most patients, however, the results of a neck lift last about 10 years – after 10 years some patients often require further rejuvenation.

It may take you a few weeks to feel like your old self again. Some people return to work after a week, while others take two or three weeks to rest and recuperate. You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after your posterior neck lift surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and neck, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first. Dr Wilkinson will give more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They’re likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity, including exercise and heavy housework, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months.

Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing. At the beginning, your neck may look and feel rather strange. Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks, and you may tire easily. It’s not surprising that some patients are disappointed and depressed at first. By the third week, you’ll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about five to seven days after surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains. Normal activities can be resumed after 3 weeks. Exercising may be resumed between 3 and 6 weeks. You may also experience random, shooting pains for a few months. You can expect some loss of feeling in your skin, caused by the swelling after surgery; this usually fades over the next six weeks or so.