HOME | Surgical Procedures | face | Neck Lift

Neck Lift

The neck is made up of various structures including skin, a variable amount of fat and the underlying Platysma muscle. The variations in those structures, along with their respective relationships to the chin and other internal structures, gives the shape of the neck. For some unknown reason we have defined the beautiful neck as a long, well defined structure with a visible angle from its vertical portion to its horizontal section. In some individuals because of genetic differences, or aging that visual appearance does not meet an individuals desires. Surgical correction may help ameliorate those relationships.

Dr Yousif has been studying the aging neck over the last 8 years. He and his associates recently presented a portion of their results on the anatomy of the neck and its relationships at the prestigious Association of Plastic Surgeon meeting. From those studies, Dr Yousif has devised new procedures to improve the results of surgery while at the same time limiting the surgical scars.

In youth there are typically two issues that may need correction. One is the excess deposition of fat in the upper portion of the neck obscuring the desired defined angle and the other is the platysma. This muscular laxity is often over looked in younger patients that are looking for a more defined neck therefore limiting the final results of surgery and in older patients the ability to create a well defined neck that last has been difficult.

There different aspects to the neck that at times may lead someone to want to change its visual presentation. There may be, even in youth, excess beneath the chin. This is usually a genetic deposition of fat in the area above or even below the muscle. The aging neck has many components. With time the soft tissue weakens and there maybe soft tissue descent giving visible excess beneath the chin. Different procedures may be performed to enhance the appearance of the neck by removing excess skin (cervicoplasty), altering neck muscles (platysmaplasty), or removing excess fat (liposuction.)

New Techniques

Dr Yousif is in the process of publishing new techniques for contouring of the neck. These techniques are a significant improvement over older procedures and allow a youthful natural contouring of the neck with long term results. In some patients these can be done only through small incisions beneath the chin. This new "limited scar neck lift" can have dramatic results with only a small scar beneath the chin.

Anesthesia and Surgery Facility

General anesthesia and local anesthesia with IV sedation is the possible depending on the patient and the surgeons preferences.

This is routinely an outpatient procedure. Operative time is approximately 3 hours.

Side Effects

There is expected temporary discomfort, swelling, and bruising. A temporary feeling of tightness may also be possible.

Risks

These include infection, pooling of blood beneath the skin (hematoma), and loss of sensation.

Recovery

Return to work in 2 weeks. More strenuous activity may be limited for 4 weeks.

Duration of Results

Results may be enjoyed for 7 to 10 years.