Most people don’t pay any attention to their necks until it’s too late. When they finally do notice their necks, it’s because they aren’t happy with how they look. If you’ve found yourself trying to hide your neck with clothes or hairstyles, you don’t have to. At Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO, we are proud to offer the neck lift, a procedure that can tighten and lift the neck, making it look both youthful and graceful.
The beauty world has so many different anti-aging creams, yet there aren’t many that can effectively restore youth to the neck, which is why this procedure has helped so many individuals increase their confidence and improve their appearance and enjoy long-lasting results.
How Long Does a Neck Lift Last?
When you undergo surgery to tighten and tone your neck, you can expect semi-permanent, long-lasting results. While this procedure dramatically improves the appearance of the neck, it cannot stop the aging process entirely; nothing can.
There are some ways that you can extend your results to maintain the most youthful-looking neck for as long as possible. Some simple lifestyle alterations and daily habit changes and improvements will go a long way in maintaining the most beautiful, youthful-looking neck.
How To Extend Your Results
While topical products cannot address sagging skin the same way that neck surgery can, they can help maintain the appearance of your neck post-surgery. Investing in some topical products that contain nutrient-rich ingredients will help keep the skin on your neck hydrated and healthy and help your results last that much longer.
Consider Your Posture
Additionally, think about your posture. When you are constantly leaning forward and bending your neck, you are forcing the skin to crease, leading to neck bands and wrinkles. Be conscious of your movements and posture and, if necessary, when using your phone to hold it at eye height, so you don’t have to strain your neck to look down towards your lap.
Focus on a Healthy Lifestyle
Lifestyle plays an important role in helping you maintain your results after neck surgery. Eat a healthy diet, limit your sugar and sodium intake, and only drink alcohol in moderation. Avoid smoking since it can damage your skin and lead to premature aging. Get in the habit of applying sunscreen to your neck and chest area to protect the skin from sun damage which is the number one cause of premature aging.
What Is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift is like a facelift for your neck. It is an elective cosmetic procedure that restructures the neck to tighten the area by lifting the skin. In doing so, it can also improve the lower jaw and chin. It removes excess skin and fat, tightens the neck, smooths the area, and restores youth.
Several methods work together during this procedure, including liposuction. During an initial consultation at our office, we’ll determine which combination of surgical methods will help you reach your goal
What Causes Neck Skin Laxity?
One of the most common signs of aging is skin laxity. Skin laxity can and does occur in different areas of the body, including the neck and jawline. Weight loss can also cause skin laxity, yet aging is the most common reason the skin begins to droop and sag. With the aging process comes the decrease in the production of collagen and elastin within the deeper layers of the skin known as the dermal layers.
As these important proteins become less prevalent in the skin, skin volume decreases. The signs of skin volume loss include wrinkles, fine to severe lines, skin laxity, and drooping or sagging. Skin laxity shows up everywhere on the body during the aging process, but the most obvious and accelerated areas include the face, neck, and collarbone.
What Causes Excess Fat in the Neck?
Excess neck fat is stubborn fat that collects in the neck region. It is hard to target and treat, even with diet and fitness changes. Neck fat typically develops due to genetic predispositions, and liposuction is one of the few ways to target and remove this fat effectively. During a neck lift, your surgeon will often use liposuction to remove this fat to smooth and improve the appearance of the area.
What Are the Benefits of a Neck Lift?
A surgical neck lift has many benefits, both emotionally and physically. When you change something about your appearance that bothers you and causes you to feel self-conscious, you will automatically increase your confidence, which can positively impact every area of your life. Your neck will look better, and you’ll finally feel content with its appearance.
It’s a Solution to the Aging Process
It Offers Long-Lasting Results
The results of this procedure can last a decade or longer, based on your age and your skin condition at the time of treatment. During your initial consultation, we can tell you exactly what to expect regarding how long your results will last, but you can rest assured that your results will last many, many years. You will enjoy your beautiful new neck for years to come.
It Delivers Quick Results
What To Expect During the Procedure
Before you schedule your appointment, there are some preparatory steps you will need to take. Once you schedule and complete your consultation, you will receive instructions that you must follow to prepare for surgery. Following these directives will ensure that your body is fully prepared on the day of your appointment.
Your Initial Consultation
The first step in this process is an initial consultation with our expert surgeon. During this consultation, we will discuss your concerns, your goals, and your expectations. We will examine your neck skin, discuss your medical history, and review any medications you are currently taking. We will also discuss any other cosmetic treatments or procedures you have experienced in the past, as well as any drug allergies you may have.
During this consultation, we may take photographs of your neck to help develop your treatment plan. These photographs will also serve as your before photos. Once your surgery is complete, you will see the vast difference between how your neck looked before surgery compared to your new, revised neck. Since this procedure does require the use of general anesthesia, we may need specific lab tests or examinations to confirm that this medication is safe for your use.
Preparing for Your Surgery
It is important that you prepare your body for your procedure, and we will provide you with some guidelines so that you can do just that. We may ask you to avoid certain products and foods before your procedure, as well as all forms of tobacco and alcohol. Additionally, we may provide you with a list of medications and supplements to temporarily discontinue in the days leading up to your procedure.
You will need someone to drive you to and from your procedure, and depending on your needs, you may need to stay overnight at the hospital. We can give you more details regarding what to expect during your initial consultation so you can walk into your appointment with complete confidence.
Your Procedure
The first step in a neck lift is the administration of anesthesia. This ensures your complete comfort throughout the procedure. Typically patients can choose between sedation and general anesthesia, but you will discuss this and choose which option is right for you with our surgeon during your initial consultation.
Incisions
Once you undergo the necessary medication treatment, your procedure will begin. An incision will be made in your neck area. The type of incision will be determined by your surgeon based on your goals and your treatment plan. If liposuction is included in your treatment plan, you will only need a small incision.
If your surgery is intended to lift the neck skin, you may need more than one incision near the jaw and ears. Most procedures include both liposuction and excess skin removal.
Liposuction and Lifting
During the procedure’s liposuction portion, a small tube called a cannula will be inserted into a small incision to remove the excess fat in the area gently. Liposuction gently suctions the fat from the area, removing it permanently. Then, your surgeon will trim excess skin and lift the remaining neck skin into the most aesthetic position. Once the skin is lifted and tightened, your surgeon will prepare to stitch the skin and complete the procedure.
The incision sites are typically closed with dissolvable stitches. Your surgeon will choose a method to close your incisions that best align with your treatment plan. Regardless of the technique, incisions are always closed carefully to minimize visible scarring. The total procedure will take approximately three hours, but it could be longer or shorter based on your needs and goals.
What To Expect Post-Op
Once your procedure is over, there are several things you must do to ensure a healthy recovery. We will provide you with all of the post-operative guidelines that will help make your recovery quick and healthy. You will be asked to:
- Care for your incision sites as directed
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco as directed
- Take the necessary prescriptions provided to you
- Continue to temporarily avoid certain medications and supplements
- Avoid intense exercise
Your Recovery
You can expect to spend the first three days after your procedure resting. You will also be asked to keep your head elevated at all times and avoid unnecessary neck movements. You should expect to take at least two weeks off of work. Most patients are completely healed within two to three weeks of their appointment date.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
You don’t have to live with a neck you’re not happy with. If you want to address the skin on your neck, don’t waste any more money on topical products but instead, invest in a procedure that will make a difference. Contact the experts at Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO, today and schedule your initial consultation to find out more about this procedure and how it can help you reach your neck goals.