The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions, and stress. Some people feel they are not ready for a full facelift because the upper face is still pleasing. However, many patients will note excess wrinkling of the neck skin, a double chin or “turkey wattle” and jowl lines.

As a restorative surgery, a neck lift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process. A neck lift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results but may help delay the time at which a neck lift becomes appropriate and complement the results of surgery.

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your expectations. Neck lift surgery are performed at the Centurion Day Hospital under general anaesthesia. Your surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. We advise that you need to stop smoking two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery. This will help to expedite your recovery period and encourage better healing on cellular level and to avoid unforeseen complications.

After your consultation, you will be provided with a personalised quotation based on the recommendation of your surgeon. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days after.

Neck lift procedures can take between two to three hours in theatre and is fairly simple and straightforward. Depending on the degree of change you’d like to see, your neck lift choices include a traditional neck lift incision or a limited incision neck lift.

A traditional neck lift incision often begins in the hairline at the level of the sideburn, continues down and around the ear, and ends in the posterior hair. Fat may be sculpted or redistributed from the jowls and neck. The tissue underlying the neck skin is repositioned, and commonly the platysma muscle is tightened. Skin is re-draped over the uplifted contours and excess skin is trimmed away. A separate incision under the chin is often necessary for liposuction of this area and for the repair of the muscle. Sutures or skin adhesives close the incisions.

A limited incision neck lift may involve incisions only around the ear. While the incisions are shorter, the results may be more limited. Sutures may be self-dissolving or may need to be removed after a few days. Once healed, the incision lines from a neck lift are usually well concealed within the hairline and in the natural contours of the ear.

The visible improvements of a neck lift appear as swelling and bruising subside. Your final neck lift result should not only restore a more youthful and rested appearance but also help you feel more confident about yourself.

Immediately after surgery, your neck will be bruised and it will feel tight and numb, but you will be able to mobilise post-operatively. You should expect to be back to work in about one to two weeks after a neck lift procedure, depending on the level of activity required. The first follow-up appointment usually takes place seven days after surgery with a second to follow after six weeks. Prescribed medication can control most of your discomfort. You will need to keep your neck still for at least a week following the surgery, although you must also get up and walk around in order to boost your circulation. After the first week, you can gradually and gently begin to move your neck.

Swelling and bruising is common after surgery but should start to disappear after a few days. Itching is normal and will diminish over time. Your scars may take a full year to recover, however, be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions on scar-healing treatments. You will notice some tightness in your neck from the way your face moves. This stiffness will subside after about a week and continue to feel totally normal over the next few months. More strenuous activity, such as exercise, can be started again four to six weeks after the surgery.

Results of a neck lift are permanent, and results are typically noticeable immediately after surgery is completed. However, patients should know that it may take several weeks or even months after surgery for swelling, bruising, or other symptoms to fully subside. As the side effects begin to fade, the results of this surgery will become more noticeable. Bear in mind that your results may be affected by the natural aging of the skin.