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Before & After
Contrary to popular belief, excess fat in the neck is not always a sign of weight gain or obesity. Because fat and sagging skin can accumulate in the neck and chin areas for a variety of reasons, methods such as dieting and weight loss often produce only minimal cosmetic results at best. Drooping skin and excess neck or chin fat are typically related to age, sun damage, and/or rapid weight loss, but even young individuals with normal body fat can have a double chin or a “turkey neck” due to genetics. Fortunately, you can achieve a more graceful neckline or a more attractive profile with a cosmetic neck contouring surgery known as a neck lift.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Alberico J. Sessa specializes in combining the neck lift with neck liposuction at Sarasota Surgical Arts in the Sarasota area. Patients can boost their confidence and improve their facial aesthetics with this effective cosmetic surgery combination that creates long-lasting results.
A neck lift, often known as a platysmaplasty, is a popular cosmetic surgery that is performed to improve the appearance of the neck. This cosmetic surgery rejuvenates the neck by removing excess skin and tightening lax, sagging skin and muscles under the neck and chin. The operation is performed with neck liposuction to create sculpted contours in patients who would like to achieve a sleek and youthful look.
While there are some non-invasive neck treatments available for improving the look of the neck and chin, none of these options can dramatically tighten the skin, remove bands, reshape the jawline, correct jowls, and improve the profile. Cosmetic surgery is the only way to transform this vital area and achieve long-lasting results.
The neck lift procedure restores youthful contours to the jawline, chin, and neck of patients experiencing signs of aging like wrinkles, sagging skin, and neck bands. Younger individuals with a “turkey neck,” excess stubborn fat and skin, or a poorly defined chin also benefit from neck plastic surgery. Neck lift surgery can produce the following benefits for patients:
Any healthy man or woman who is dissatisfied with cosmetic issues in their neck and chin area may be eligible for a neck lift. A good neck lift candidate has realistic expectations and is willing to cooperate with all pre- and post-care instructions. Candidates must also be in good health and close to their ideal weight prior to the procedure. Neck lift patients must be non-smokers or willing to quit well in advance of the surgery for safety reasons. For best results, neck lift candidates should have good skin elasticity.
During a meeting at our Sarasota office, Dr. Sessa will review your goals, examine your skin and discuss your health in depth, including a review of your drinking, smoking, and exercise habits to determine if a neck lift is right for you.
Your consultation is confidential and one-on-one. You can candidly share your aesthetic goals with our expert cosmetic team and receive personalized medical advice to help you make the right decision about your treatment. Dr. Sessa will discuss the neck lift treatment with you and show you before and after pictures of previous patients. He will also examine your skin and create a custom treatment plan based on your age, skin type, and goals. The consultation presents an ideal opportunity to ask any questions you may have and address your concerns about the procedure.
Neck lift surgery is an outpatient procedure completed with the use of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation in our certified surgical center at Sarasota Surgical Arts. Expert facial surgeon Dr. Sessa begins the procedure by discreetly positioning the incisions to conceal the already minimal scarring. Dr. Sessa creates one small incision under the chin and completes liposuction first. Next, he makes one small incision behind each of the ears and removes excess skin as needed and tightens the neck muscles. The surgery usually takes about two hours, depending on the patient’s needs.
Combination neck lift surgeries are completed based on the patient’s goals and consultation requests, including options like a chin implant or facelift. Dr. Sessa thoroughly discusses each patient’s surgical plan with them during their consultation.
Dr. Sessa will give you post-operative instructions and may prescribe anti-inflammatory pain medication. A headwrap or bandage is worn for the first 24 hours and may be encouraged for the first week. Ice packs can be gently applied to the area to reduce swelling and inflammation. Swelling and bruising can last for several days, and you may experience different sensations like tightness during the first few days. These symptoms are typical and should not cause any concern.
You may be permitted to shower 24 hours after the surgery. The sutures will be removed several days after the procedure, and approved makeup may be applied to camouflage bruises after one week. Most patients return to their employment and regular schedules within one to two weeks. Patients should take care to avoid the strong South Florida sun while they heal.
Swelling and bruising are common side effects after neck lift surgery and may last for several days, along with tightness, tingling or numbness. Infection is a risk that is associated with any operation. Contacting Dr. Sessa at the first sign of any irregularity.
If you smoke, Dr. Sessa will encourage you to quit for at least four weeks before and after the surgery, because this step is essential for proper healing. Supply yourself with comfortable button-down shirts and several pillows to keep your head in an elevated position. Have a friend or family member available to drive you to and from your appointment and to help you during the first night or two. You will need to take a week off work to allow yourself time to recover.
A neck lift will improve the lower face, including the jawline, chin, and neck. It will not improve sagging facial skin or lines between your nose and mouth.
Recovering from your neck lift procedure will take time, but most people return to work in one to two weeks. You may resume your moderate exercise program after three weeks. Discuss returning to contact sports and other physical activities with Dr. Sessa during your consultation.
Most health insurance policies do not cover cosmetic surgery. You can contact your insurance company to find out what your policy covers so that you know what to expect. If the procedure is being performed to treat a medical condition, Dr. Sessa can provide a letter detailing your case.
If you are a non-smoker, in good health, have realistic expectations, and close to your ideal weight, you may be a good candidate for neck surgery. If you have soft, loose tissue on your lower face and neck with wrinkles, jowls or a double chin, neck lift surgery may be able to help.
The neck lift procedure causes minimal scarring because Dr. Sessa will use one tiny, three-millimeter incision under your chin to perform both the liposuction and neck lift along with two small incisions near your ears. The scars will fade somewhat over time and remain hidden in these discreet locations.
Neck lift patients range in age from 20 to 70 depending on their situation. The youngest neck lift patients are usually individuals who have a lost a significant amount of weight or who desire to remove genetically inherited fat from their neck and chin. Dramatic results are available for all individuals who have sagging skin, a double chin, neck bands or wrinkles caused by age, genetics or weight loss.
Neck lift surgery may be appropriate for you if you are only unhappy with the appearance of your neck. A patient can improve laxity, loose skin, jowls, and wrinkles during a facelift, while a complete neck rejuvenation requires a neck lift. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sessa to request medical advice and a cosmetic plan. Many patients choose to combine these two procedures after consulting with an expert.
The procedure provides permanent results. However, some variables will affect how long your neck will maintain its appearance, including sun exposure, maintaining a stable weight, your age, skin type, genetics, and the techniques used during surgery. Dr. Sessa will provide you with reasonable expectations after examining your skin and discussing your lifestyle, including exercise, smoking and skin tone.
If you are a younger patient and are close to your ideal weight but have some excess fat on your neck and chin due to heredity or other factors, you may benefit from neck liposuction alone. Most patients achieve the best results with both neck surgery and liposuction. Dr. Sessa simultaneously performs both procedures to ensure smooth, firm, natural-looking results.
Dr. Alberico J. Sessa is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery with advanced training in head and neck surgery. Dr. Sessa will tailor your neck lift to match your personal goals and is known for providing patients with natural-looking, long-lasting results. Please call Sarasota Surgical Arts in the Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota area for a private consultation with Dr. Sessa at 941-923-1736 or schedule your consultation appointment online.