If you want to make changes to the appearance of the neck and/or jawline by removing excess skin, removing excess fat or addressing muscle laxity, you may be a candidate for a neck lift. However, to be a suitable candidate and eligible to undergo any surgery, there are multiple factors to carefully consider first.
In this blog, we’ll explain what is involved with a neck lift, what makes a suitable candidate and the factors you should consider before booking your consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.
What is a neck lift (platysmaplasty)?
A neck lift, or platysmaplasty, can surgically change the appearance of the neck, most commonly for purely aesthetic purposes.
Depending on the particular patient’s needs, it can address excess skin, excess fat pockets, and weakened muscles in the area. The procedure can also address the jawline, as the area is commonly affected by the same concerns as the neck. In particular, patients may want to address a ‘double chin’, which generally involves removing fat deposits beneath the chin and along the jawline.
The procedure generally requires general anaesthetic and the placement of incisions, which will depend on the surgical technique outlined in the procedure plan. Incisions are often placed behind or in front of the ears, but they can sometimes be placed underneath the chin.
While surgically removing excess skin or addressing muscle laxity, a neck lift may include liposuction to remove fat pockets. Liposuction is not performed for weight loss purposes but rather to target specific, small areas of fat. A neck lift will require some recovery time, but the time frame can vary from patient to patient.
What makes a suitable neck lift candidate?
Suitable candidates for a neck lift should be in good health, as general health is important for healing and reducing the chance of complications. Smoking is another factor – as smoking can slow down recovery, non-smokers or those who are able to quit can be suitable candidates.
It’s also important to have realistic expectations and an understanding of what the surgery can and can’t achieve. Particularly, when it comes to addressing skin laxity, muscle laxity and other normal signs of ageing on the neck and jawline, the surgery can create a permanent change but will be unable to stop the body’s natural ageing process from influencing the procedure’s results in the future.
Keeping a stable weight is another factor to consider when deciding whether a neck lift is suitable. Significant weight changes after the surgery can affect the length of the surgical changes, so maintaining a stable weight can support the longevity of the results.
Skin elasticity may also be considered, as while the surgery can address skin laxity, still having a skin elasticity level that’s somewhat elastic and firm enough tends to respond better to the surgical changes. However, these factors will always depend on each individual patient.
The willingness to follow recovery instructions and make any necessary changes to routine or daily life to accommodate a recovery period is also an important factor to consider. Ideally, suitable candidates will be able to take time off work or other daily activities to meet the requirements needed during recovery, allowing the body to heal sufficiently.
During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss the factors that make a candidate suitable for a neck lift and assess your needs to determine if the procedure is suitable for you.
What to consider before your consultation
Before you arrange your consultation with a plastic surgeon, there are some factors you should think about when it comes to a neck lift or any type of plastic surgery.
Firstly, it’s always important to get clear on your expectations for the results of the procedure and make sure that they align with what can realistically be achieved. Although your surgeon will ultimately clarify this during your consultation, reading about what a neck lift can achieve and taking a look at some before and after photos for reference can help. Getting clear about the results you want to achieve will also help you to clearly explain this to your surgeon and help ensure that you’re both on the same page.
Before any surgery, it’s important to decide if it’s the right time in your life to undergo surgery. Plastic surgery is an extensive process that will include following preparation steps, making time to schedule the surgery, taking some time off work during recovery, and carefully following recovery instructions. Ideally, you should be able to complete your recovery at home and be willing and able to follow your surgeon’s advice. Your consultation will give you a much clearer idea of what you can expect in terms of preparation, the procedure and recovery, but you can still evaluate if it’s the right time to make the necessary changes needed to accommodate your surgery before meeting with your plastic surgeon.
As a separate factor, you should also consider what is typically involved during recovery from a neck lift. Most surgeries will come with a recovery period that can involve some discomfort, pain, swelling and bruising, and a neck lift is no exception. Your surgeon will typically prescribe pain medication to manage pain and provide you with other instructions to help reduce swelling and other symptoms (such as applying a cold compress, keeping your head elevated and wearing a compression garment).
During recovery, you may have drainage tubes placed for a few days to a week, need to regularly change dressings or bandages, and limit physical activity – particularly strenuous exercise and heavy lifting. You’ll also need to have follow-up appointments, which will be essential for your surgeon to monitor your healing progress.
While it may seem daunting, your surgeon will do their best to make your recovery instructions simple and provide you with advice that can best support you throughout the process.
The possible risks and complications are another factor to consider. All surgeries can be linked to some potential risks, which should always be carefully explained by your surgeon. A qualified and experienced plastic surgeon will do what they can to minimise risks. Before your consultation, you can think about whether or not you would be willing to proceed with the procedure. For example, although surgeons will aim to minimise visible scarring, scarring is still a possible risk.
Like with your recovery instructions, outlining the possible risks of the procedure and explaining how they can be minimised will also help the process feel a little less daunting. When you meet with your surgeon, you’ll be able to ask any questions you have and get clarification on what the procedure can involve.
Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery: Melbourne-based Specialist Plastic Surgeons
Specialist Plastic Surgeons who operate at Coco Ruby have extensive training and experience in performing a variety of procedures, including neck, face, breast and body procedures.
Coco Ruby surgeons Dr Gary Kode and Dr Broughton Snell, who specialise in neck lift procedures, are fully qualified and highly experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeons with current FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) memberships.
Passionate about maintaining a high standard of care within the area of plastic surgery, our surgeons have taught courses, contributed to industry advancements and research, and presented at conferences around the world.
When you’re ready to discuss the details of your neck lift, [lease contact our team to book your consultation at Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery in Melbourne!
