Neck Lift
Dr. Shirley Hu aims to create the most natural and rejuvenating neck lift results with the most expeditious recovery times possible. Her customized neck lift approaches restore the youthful contours of the neck. After surgery, the neck region appears noticeably more balanced to the face.
Patients seek out Dr. Hu to address the following:
Sagging or excess neck skin
Turkey neck
Double chin
Neck fullness resistant to weight loss
Types of Neck Lifts
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Platysmaplasty
This addresses the muscle banding underneath the skin. A single incision hidden in a crease behind the chin is used to access the internal structures. You may be a candidate if there is minimal loose skin of your neck and jawline.
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Limited Incision Neck Lift
This addresses muscle banding, loose skin, and, to a limited degree, a poorly defined jawline. In addition to the single incision underneath the chin, short incisions are made along the base of the earlobe and hidden behind the ear. These incisions are very well-camouflaged. You may be a candidate if you have both loose skin and muscle in the neck.
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Deep Neck Lift
This addresses significant fatty tissue, glands, and muscle contributing to isolated fullness of the region between the chin and neck. A single incision is made behind the chin to access the internal structures, and sculpting is performed to achieve a defined neck angle and jawline. You may be a candidate if you are young and have good skin elasticity but stubborn fullness in the neck area alone that is resistant to weight loss. Read more here.
How It Works
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Dr. Hu will begin your consultation by listening to your concerns about your neck and discussing the results you would like to achieve.
She will discuss the various approaches to rejuvenating the neck and which approach you are a candidate for. Please see above for an overview.
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Next, Dr. Hu will take a full health history and perform a complete examination of your face and neck. With this information, Dr. Hu will create a tailored plan to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. In addition to a neck lift, Dr. Hu may recommend adjunct procedures such as a facelift, or fat grafting to restore balance and volume.
Additionally, we can show you the potential results of these surgical techniques with our specialized imaging software! This allows us to promote an open dialogue as we progress to the next steps.
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Finally, Dr. Hu and her clinical team will discuss the details of the surgery, pricing, how to plan for it, and what to expect after.
Neck lift surgery is performed on-site in a state-of-the-art private operating suite at AIREM. Sedation is administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist, and the procedure will take around 2 to 3 hours. Following this, you will recover in a private room for a few hours. Once you are awake enough, a family member or friend can escort you from the facility back home. For the first 24 hours following surgery, someone must be available to take care of you.
Recovery Process
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You will need to plan for time to recover, which varies by individual and type of neck lift, but is usually around ten days. Gradually, the redness, bruising, and swelling will fade. The most challenging part of recovery is during the first week. You may notice swelling increasing around day 3 or 4. During this phase, you will have medication to help keep you comfortable.
After surgery, we often use drains in the neck to remove any blood that may collect and prevent it from accumulating under the skin. You will also have a wrap around the head and neck to keep everything secure. These drains and wrap are removed the morning after surgery.
At home, you or your caretaker will have to clean the incisions with hydrogen peroxide and apply an antibiotic ointment to help with the healing process. It is important to relax as much as possible, while still making sure to walk around when you can, and sleep with the head of your bed slightly elevated. Outside of light walking, you should not exercise.
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At your one week appointment, all sutures and staples except for two small ones by the earlobe (if you have them) are removed.
By day 7, it is likely that you can wear makeup, if you wish, to cover any residual bruising. By 1 week, the majority of patients who do not bruise easily are back to their normal routines and are feeling like themselves.
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On day 10, the earlobe sutures, if they were placed, are removed.
Patients who bruise easily may require this second week for some of the bruising to lessen.
At the end of week 2, you can restart any light aerobic exercise as long as you do not lift anything greater than 10 pounds, which will have to wait until week 3.
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During this time, you may experience minor fluctuations in the small amount of swelling that remains. Dr. Hu may inject steroid medication to help soften areas that are still firm. This is all part of the normal healing process of the skin. However, you are completely socially presentable and already enjoying compliments from friends and family. You will notice continued improvements in your appearance until 6 months after the surgery, at which point you will be thrilled with the final results.