A neck lift, also known as platysmaplasty, is a set of cosmetic treatments and procedures designed to enhance the appearance of your neck. The most common cosmetic concerns addressed by platysmaplasty are excess skin, excess fat, unattractive neck muscles and submental fullness. At the office of Dr. Bruce Kadz in Beverly Hills, CA, we understand how important it is to age gracefully. Today, we answer your most frequently asked questions about this procedure to help you determine if it is the ideal method to help you achieve your ideal aesthetic.
What Can I Expect on the Day of My Procedure?
On the day of your procedure, make sure you have someone to drive you to and from our state-of-the-art facility. You cannot drive within 24 hours of being put under general anesthesia or taking certain prescription analgesics.
You should wear loose, comfortable clothing when you come in. We recommend a button-down shirt or blouse that you will not need to pull over your head and neck when you change out of your surgical gown. Some women prefer to wear a loose dress that zips up the back.
Turkey Wattle Correction
If you are concerned with the appearance of a turkey wattle on your neck, the technique used may involve incisions made under your chin, behind your ears or both to access the platysma which is the main muscle in your neck. In some cases, part of the muscle will need to be removed to correct the aesthetic.
Dr. Bruce Kadz will review your medical history, assess your health, and discuss your comfort level to help you determine if you should be put under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Just remember that the final decision is up to you. If you want to sleep through the procedure, general anesthesia is right for you.
Alternatives
When you come in for your initial consultation, ask about alternatives that will still help you achieve your ideal aesthetic. Depending on the extent of the correction that needs to be achieved, Dr. Bruce Kadz may be able to use much smaller incisions and an endoscope to complete your procedure. An endoscope is a tiny camera attached to a thin tube. The results of this technique may not be as dramatic. However, recovery will be a lot shorter and more comfortable.
Moreover, Botox can also go a long way as an alternative or complement to a minimally invasive procedure. One of the major advantages of Botox is that the injections can be made in a mere 15 minutes with no side effects, discomfort or downtime. In the case of neck enhancement, it is used to relax part of the platysma to eliminate the appearance of fullness or bands.
Fat Removal
If you are concerned with excess fat on your neck, a tiny incision will be made beneath your chin to allow for the insertion of a cannula. The device breaks apart thick deposits of fat, allowing the fat to be suctioned out. If you need other procedures to achieve your desired aesthetic, liposuction will most likely be performed first. Dr. Bruce Kadz will discuss this with you during your initial consultation.
If this is the only neck-enhancing procedure you need, you can expect it to last only around an hour. Your incisions will be stitched and bandaged and you will be observed to ensure the anesthesia did not cause any negative effects. Once we ensure you understand how to care for your stitches and bandage properly, you are free to go home and rest.
Excess Skin
If you have lost a significant amount of weight, or if you’re over the age of 35, there is a pretty good chance that you have loose or excess skin on your neck. To correct this, Dr. Bruce Kadz will trim portions of the skin and lift the remaining skin into place. This new, youthful position will be secured with stitches or tissue glue.
Depending on the complexity of your personal procedure, this component of a neck lift will take between two and four hours. Again, the decision to receive local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia comes down to your personal preference.
Submental Fullness
If you suffer from submental fullness, you may be a good candidate for fat removal via Kybella injections. Kybella features the active ingredient deoxycholic acid, a chemical compound found naturally in your lymphatic system which “eats” fat cells. Kybella is effective for both the non-invasive removal of fat under your chin and correcting the appearance of fat, even if you do not have large fat deposits in the area.
What Can I Expect After a Neck Lift?
After a neck lift, you should expect to spend several days resting. Most clients find they need to take 10 to 14 days off of work. However, depending on the extent of corrections you need, you may only need to take off a week from work. During your initial consultation, Dr. Bruce Kadz will review your aesthetic goals and give you a better idea of how much recovery time you will need to take. If you work a blue-collar job, you may need to take three to four weeks off of work.
How Can I Make My Recovery Smoother?
Before you come in for your procedure, prepare a recovery room in your home. This room should have gauze, towels, petroleum jelly and antibacterial ointment. Make sure there is a phone near where you will spend most of your recovery time. You will need several pillows to keep your neck in a comfortable position and may want your favorite book to keep you occupied when you’re not dozing.
In the week leading up to your procedure, we strongly recommend cooking and freezing meals that can easily be reheated in the oven or microwave. This means neither you nor your caregiver will have to prep, cook and clean while you are recovering. These meals should have lots of protein to give your body what it needs to heal quickly. Moreover, these meals should be high in soluble fiber because certain pain medications can cause constipation.
What Results Can I Expect From a Neck Lift?
During your initial consultation, Dr. Bruce Kadz will discuss with you what results you can realistically expect from this procedure. Depending on your goals, he can remove or alter your neck muscles to give your neck a more pleasant aesthetic. He can also use liposuction to remove excess fat from the neck and Botox to eliminate the full bands caused by excess fat.
How Long Will the Results Last?
The duration of results from your neck lift will depend on several factors, including your age and lifestyle. However, on average, you can expect to enjoy the results of this procedure for 10 to 15 years. To extend the duration of your results, keep your skin as healthy as possible. Drink plenty of water. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies to get enough vitamins and minerals in your diet. Avoid unprotected sun exposure between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM.
The results of fat removal are considered permanent because you cannot grow new fat cells to replace the ones that were removed. However, you may find that the remaining fat cells in your neck expand if you do not maintain your current weight. Ideally, you should not gain more than 10 to 30 pounds in the future. For the treatment of neck bands, you can expect the results of Botox to last around four to six months.
How Can I Prepare for My Procedure?
During your initial consultation, Dr. Bruce Kadz will give you a comprehensive list of everything you need to do in advance of your neck lift. Here is a brief overview of what you will need to do:
Stop Nicotine Consumption
One of the most important things you can do for a safe, comfortable, effective procedure is to stop consuming any form of nicotine for six weeks pre-op. Nicotine elevates your blood pressure, which can affect the procedure itself and your recovery process. You must also avoid consuming nicotine for six weeks post-op. To make the results of your procedure last as long as possible, we strongly recommend that you avoid consuming nicotine ever again.
Drink Plenty of Water
Make sure you are drinking at least half a gallon of water daily in the month leading up to your procedure. You should also make an effort to consume fruits and vegetables with high water content to ensure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. Moreover, you should be prepared to drink at least half a gallon of water daily during your recovery.
Learn More About Platysmaplasty Today
If you are self-conscious about your neck showing significant signs of aging, platysmaplasty may be just what you need to help you get your confidence and youthful visage back. To learn more about a neck lift, or discover if it is right for you, contact the office of Dr. Bruce Kadz in Beverly Hills, CA today to schedule your initial consultation. We can’t wait to meet you, assess your health, review your aesthetic goals and create a personalized plan to help you achieve each of your goals.
