A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck, such as:
• Excess fat and skin relaxation in the lower face that creates jowls
• Excess fatty deposits under the chin
• Loose neck skin
• Muscle banding in the neck, which created abnormal contours

The loss of youthful contours in the face and neck can be due to a variety of factors that promote aging, 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 hanging neck like a “turkey wattle”, or a double chin, and jowl lines.
When the neck area doesn’t match the upper facial appearance, a neck lift may be a good solution.

Incision / scar-line : 

The incisional site for liposuction of the submental fat pad, or the “double-chin”, may be accessed from 3 very small incisions, one centimeter in length along a skin fold to avoid scarring

• one on each side of the angle of the jaw

• one below the mid-line of the chin.

If a platysmaplasty is required to tighten the muscle of a sagging neck, the incision is a couple centimeters in length below the mid-line of the chin to avoid any visible scars.

Post-operative recovery :

During your recovery from neck lift surgery, a bandage could gently be placed around your face and neck to minimize swelling and bruising when your procedure is completed.

You may be asked to wear a chin-strap bandage for up to two weeks post-operatively.
A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin and removed after a couple of days.

It is important to keep your head elevated above your heart to minimize swelling and to keep your head straight (no excessive twisting or bending of the neck).
DO NOT APPLY ICE to the neck as this can compromise blood flow and result in skin death.

You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your surgeon to remove the sutures.

You will be informed of the potential risks and complications, as in all surgical procedures, prior to signing your consent form:

Neck lift surgery risks include:

• Anesthesia risks

• Bleeding

• Temporary or permanent hair loss along the incisions

• Facial asymmetry

• Rare nerve injury that could cause weakness of the lower lip

• Fluid accumulation (hematoma)

• Infection

• Unfavorable scarring

• Prolonged swelling

• Skin irregularities and discoloration

• Skin loss

• Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation and require removal

• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation

• Persistent pain

• Poor wound healing

• Rare risk of deep venous thrombosis with cardiac or pulmonary sequelae

• Unsatisfactory results which may require revision surgery

It is important that you address all your questions directly with your surgeon