When a person ages, one of the most obvious trouble spot is the neck. Over time, the elasticity in this area begins to wane and the result is sagging skin and loose neck muscles. Excess fat may also accumulate further aging the appearance of the neck. People that are concerned about the aforementioned may choose to undergo a neck lift. During a neck lift, the skin and muscles in the neck area are tightened, giving the neck a smoother, more youthful look. A properly done neck lift can take years off a person’s appearance and can last for a period of 5 to 10 years.
A neck lift can be done on its’ own. Some people, however, will elect to have a neck lift and another cosmetic procedures performed, for instance, a facelift. This allows in a single surgery, to significantly turn back the hands of time.
There a variety of ways for individuals to improve their neck’s appearance and achieve the look that they want, some are more invasive and longer lasting than others. Individuals will need to carefully consider what results they want and which procedures they are comfortable with in order to achieve it.
A neck lift, also known as a cervicoplasty or neck lift with platysmaplasty, is one of the most effective ways to do away with excess fat, loose muscle, and skin around the neck. The procedure generally takes two to three hours, although surgery can take longer if a person were to have more than one procedure performed at once, for instance, liposuction, face lift or brow lift.
Before a person undergoes a neck lift, it is important that they are in good health. A qualified doctor will make sure that a person is healthy before they go forward with the surgery. However, it is important that a patient is honest with their surgeon concerning any health problems to avoid or at least decrease the likelihood of medical complications occuring.
A neck lift can costs anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000 depending on where it is performed, who performs it,and whether the patient has multiple procedures simultaneously.
A person can expect a neck lift to last between five to ten years. The length of the time will be dependent upon what technique is used and the skill level of the doctor who performs the procedure.
Most individuals who undergo a neck lift are between the ages of 30 and 70 years old. The surgery is typically very effective and can dramatically improve the appearance of a person’s neck, helping to re-create a youthful look. This is especially true if a person combines a neck lift with other cosmetic procedures.
Neck Lift Techniques
There are a number of techniques plastic surgeons use to get rid of excess skin, fat, and loose muscle on the neck. The cerviocoplasty, playsmaplasty and the iGuide neck lift are three, the latter being one of the newest neck rejuvenation techniques available.
A cervicoplasty is performed to get rid of the loose skin on the neck. Platysmaplasty helps to get rid of a banded look. The iGuide neck lift doesn’t actually require any incisions. It gives individuals a rejuvenated look but is less invasive than the other two techniques.
The Procedure
When a person undergoes a neck lift, the surgeon will make a small cut or incision underneath the chin and depending on the doctor and the technique being used, either in front or behind the ears. Sometimes, incisions will be made in both places. The muscles in the neck are typically tightened and the excess fat removed. The latter may be done via liposuction. If not, the surgeon will resecf it out.
After the excess fat has been removed and the muscles tightened, the skin is draped back over the neck. The surgeon will then get rid of that extra skin that prompt most people to get a neck lift in the first place. After this has been done, the doctor will suture all of the incisions back together.
When a person undergoes a neck lift, they may opt for general anesthesia or a local anesthesia with sedation. The former will completely put the patient under. The latter will not. When deciding which option is best, an individual will need to determine whether they will feel more comfortable going under (general anesthesia) or would prefer to be awake during the procedure (local anesthesia with sedation). If they are unsure, they should discuss the matter with their plastic surgeon.
Recovery
After the surgery has been completed, a drain may be inserted in the neck to collect fluid. This helps to prevent excessive swelling which can potentially occur after surgery. This isn’t always done but a doctor has the option of doing so. If they choose to, typically, they will instruct the patient to take it out after one to two days.
Prescription medication will be required to manage pain. A person’s physician will create an appropriate, pain management regimen.
A doctor may have the patient wear a compression bandage post op. This also helps to reduce the amount of swelling a person experiences after undergoing the procedure. This is typically worn for a period of up to seven days, day and night. A person may be required to continue to wear it a night for a little longer.
After about 10 to 14 days, a person can go back to work. However, those interested in exercising or taking part in sports activities, will have to wait a little while longer. Physical activity, above and beyond, normal, day-to-day activity, isn’t recommended until at least three weeks post-op, sometimes even longer.
Complications
Many of the complications a person may experience after undergoing a neck lift are the same ones any person who undergoes surgery does. They include, but are not limited to, infection, hematoma, scarring and an allergic reaction to the anesthesia.
It is important that a person planning to have a neck lift be in good health. If they are not, the risk of medical complications rises sharply. Individuals, should therefore, always be completely open and honest with their surgeon, so that the likelihood of complications occurring are decreased.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Do I make a good neck lift candidate?
- Where will the surgery be performed?
- How much experience do you have in this area?
- Are you board certified?
- Is the surgical center properly licensed and/or accredited?
- What is the procedure if something were to go wrong and an emergency situation arose?
- How long will the procedure take?
- Do you offer financing?
- Has your malpractice insurance coverage been suspended, revoked or denied?
- How much will the procedure cost?
- Will anyone be helping you? If so, what are their qualifications?
- May I see a few before and after pictures of people who have undergone this procedure?
PRP Treatment for Neck Lift
PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy can be utilized in many cosmetic procedures. It’s not new, but in recent years, it has been used with increased regularity for cosmetic and other medical-related purposes. The medical field is very excited about PRP. Its use seems to be increasing each and every day. One of the reasons PRP therapy is becoming so popular is its simplicity and the fact that it uses the body’s own healing mechanisms to treat injuries and wounds. PRP has been proven to help rejuvenate and tighten loose, saggy skin. It has also been effective as a natural wrinkle filler.
Treatments in which the body helps to heal itself, such as PRP and stem cells, are growing in popularity. PRP can be used in conjunction with a surgical neck lift to help accelerate the healing of suture lines.
A person might opt for a neck lift when the skin on their neck has become loose and is either starting to sag or is already sagging. A neck lift is a surgical procedure that that will tighten the skin on and around the neck. Typically, the extra skin is removed. This is a very invasive procedure and carries a number of risks. Infection is always a risk when a surgical incision is made.
A surgical neck lift procedure can cause scarring. By applying prp to incision lines and the soft tissues involved in a neck lift, patients can expect less scarring, less bruising, less swelling, and quicker wound healing. If sutures are placed on the incision, they are typically removed earlier than if no prp was applied. The platelet concentrate is mixed with a calcium chloride/thrombin mixture before being sprayed on the wound. When mixed together, the platelets are activated and forms a gel like substance on the wound. The physician needs to be cautious not to suction or wipe off the platelet gel. It is important to let the gel form on the wound/suture lines to begin the accelerated healing process.
PRP is considered a natural alternative to many cosmetic procedures. When used for cosmetic purposes, at least for facial or neck rejuvenation, it is often referred to a Vampire lift. This is because of the use of blood, which is central to the procedure.
PRP involves the use of the patient’s own blood, particularly the platelets. The platelets contain growth factors and other proteins which are responsible for wound healing, tissue, and collagen regeneration, etc. To extract the platelets, a small amount of a person’s blood (20 to 55cc) is drawn. It is placed in a test tube and then a centrifuge machine. This machine spins the blood so that the blood components are separated. Once the platelets have been separated from the other blood components, it is removed from the test tube and again, either injected or sprayed onto the patient. When the latter is the form of a gel or spray, it is applied on the skin.
The cost of PRP therapy for neck lift procedures will usually cost around 500-1500 dollars.
PRP Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Is it possible for me to get the results I want using PRP therapy?
- Why should I have PRP therapy in lieu of a surgical procedure?
- How much experience do you have with PRP?
- Have you had any problems administering it to people?
- Are people generally satisfied with the results?
- How much will prp treatment for neck lift cost?
- Do you accept payments or offer financing?
- What are the side effects?
- When should I see results?
- Does PRP for a neck lift require maintenance?
