Neck Lift

What is a neck lift?

A neck lift is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance your lower neck. It redrapes the lower neck while removing excess skin and tightening muscles in order to improve loss of elasticity. Since this is a cosmetic procedure your insurance will not be able to cover it.

Why do people get a neck lift?

Men and women generally under the age of 50 seek consultation for a neck lift. The procedure is highly individualized meaning that it may be modified to fit your specific goals. Some of the “symptoms” that patients complain of and would like to see improvement are:

Loss of muscle tone in the lower face

Jowling

Loose skin or excess fat under the chin

Am I a candidate for a neck lift?

Once you have decided that you would like to have a neck lift, you should first investigate whether or not you are a candidate for surgery. Although you should come in for a consultation to determine whether or not surgery is an option, here are a few of the reasons patients are typically turned away from our office:

Dr. McClellan does not perform any elective, cosmetic surgery on smokers. This is for a variety of reasons including poor wound healing and an increased risk of infection.

A neck lift is a common for people that complain of a “turkey neck.”

Dr. McClellan will not perform liposuction on the neck.

What are the potential risks for a neck lift?

As with any surgery, there are risks involved with getting a neck lift. Here is a list of some of the more common complications:

Infection

Hair loss (at the incision sites)

Facial Asymmetry

Bleeding

Hematoma

How is a neck lift performed?

A face lift is a highly individualized procedure, as mentioned above, meaning that the procedure may be modified so that you may get the results you are seeking. In a traditional face lift an incision is made in the hairline at the temples, continues down around the ears and ends at your lower scalp. Once the incision has been made one or several of these changes may be made:

Fat may be sculpted or redistributed in the face, jowls, and neck

Underlying tissue may be repositioned

Deep layers of the face and muscles may be lifted and repositioned

Once changes are made that are specific to your individual needs the skin is re-draped and the excess skin is cut away. The procedure takes 2 to 4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia at Monongalia General Hospital. A neck lift is an out-patient procedure and you will be released to go home later that day.

What can I expect for my recovery?

Prior to your surgery you will be given specific instructions about what you should do in the days and weeks following your surgery. We will see you the day after your surgery for your post-operative visit. It is important for you to keep your head elevated and ice as much as possible. Every individual heals at a different rate, so it may take several months for your final results to become visible. Depending on the type of work that you do you may return to work as early as two weeks after surgery.

What should I expect for my initial consultation?

For a neck lift consultation you should allow at least 30 minutes in our office. You may come about 15 minutes early to your appointment to fill out the necessary forms. During your consultation Dr. McClellan will give you more information about surgery and answer any of your questions. It is often helpful to have a list of questions that you may have or something that you need clarification on.

After you meet with Dr. McClellan, you will then be escorted to Becky Miller’s office. She is our patient coordinator and will provide you with the price quote for the surgery as well as give you information about what financial options are available. As the patient coordinator, Becky makes every effort to ensure that you are ready and feel comfortable before surgery. This may include repeat visits to the office or answering any questions that you may have after your initial appointment.

What is the Lifestyle Lift TM and do we offer it?

The Lifestyle Lift TM is a procedure that is marketed as a cheaper, minimally invasive procedure that has less down time and similar results in comparison with a face lift. Dr. McClellan does not offer the Lifestyle Lift TM for a variety of reasons. It is important for patients to understand the procedure they are going to get and what they can expect for their results as well as recovery. Dr. McClellan is an honest surgeon that will tell you whether or not a procedure is going to meet your expectations, or if you should seek another alternative.

At McClellan Plastic Surgery your neck lift will be performed at Monongalia General Hospital where board certified anestheologists and physicians will be managing your care. We give you written as well as verbal instructions for post-operative care so that your recovery period may be as painless as possible and you may have the most optimal results. With any procedure, we recommend that you research it and understand what it is, what the possible complications are, and finally what the people who have had it have to say about it.

December 5, 2012
Did you know that McClellan Plastic Surgery and MD & SPA offer gift certificates? Why not stop in and pick one up for that special someone for the holidays or for another special time during the year? Call for more details or stop by! Read more