A neck lift concerns men as well as women that are particularly bothered by their neck appearance but do not notice intense ageing signs on the rest of their face. Otherwise the neck lift procedure should be performed in combination with a full face lift. The final decision should be reached after consulting with the doctor who will consider the patient’s total appearance. In many cases combining a full face lift with a neck lift offers a much more natural and uniform effect.

The neck lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia and involves several incisions, mostly behind the ears and under the chin. Through these incisions the neck’s muscles and skin are lifted and repositioned in order to create a firmer and youthful neck. The doctor may choose to perform a liposuction, in combination with the neck lift, to remove excess fat from the neck and the jaw areas.

There is swelling and bruising after the surgery but they fade in the next 1 to 2 weeks. By that time the procedure’s effects start to show and they become completely visible several weeks later. Stiches are removed 7 to 10 days following surgery and then patients can start returning to their regular routine, always with caution especially when it comes to the neck area. Intense physical activity should be avoided for at least 3 weeks and the doctor may instruct patients to sleep with their head slightly elevated to reduce swelling.