Neck Lift Recovery
If you have noticed sagging or loose skin around your neck, often referred to as “turkey neck,” then you might want to consider the possibilities of a neck lift surgery. This procedure, also called a cervicoplasty or platysmaplasty, removes and tightens loose and excess skin under and around your neck, leaving you with a smoother and firmer appearance.
A common concern about a neck lift procedure is what the recovery will look like. Dr. Pirani will address these concerns at your consultation appointment, but this is what you should know.
Immediately After
Immediately following a neck lift, you will likely leave with a bandage gently placed around your face and neck in order to reduce the amount of swelling and bruising that you might experience. You might experience the feeling of tightness in your neck, which will continue for several weeks following the procedure. Some bruising is also normal, but that will fade within a week or two.
In some cases, there might be a tube in place to drain off any excess fluid or blood that collects underneath the skin. You will receive instructions on how to take care of the surgical site and how to take care of drains.
When You Are Home
Once you are home, it is important to keep your head elevated at all times. This will help keep the swelling down. It will be tempting to place ice on your neck, but you need to avoid this after surgery. This is because ice will slow down your blood flow. While that is a way to reduce swelling, in the case of a neck lift, you need the blood to keep flowing throughout your neck to encourage healing.
It is a good idea to make sure that you have a friend or family member with you for the first 24-hours following surgery. Moving around will be difficult and you can expect to spend the next few days mostly in bed. You will also need to be sure that you have loose and comfortable shirts that will be easy to put on. Button-up shirts are ideal since they will not need to be pulled over the head.
Healing Time
Normally, it is recommended that patients take two weeks off from work to ensure the skin has recovered adequately. Stitches are typically removed within 10 days of surgery. Even when you go back to work, make sure that you are avoiding strenuous activities.
If you are physically active or engage in sports, you will need to wait at least three weeks before you go back to your regular routine. This is the only way to ensure that your results will be as successful as you would like them to be. You also need to avoid any heavy lifting.
The full recovery will take several weeks. The healing process will go slowly, but it is important to try not to rush it to receive the most benefits you can get. It is vital that you follow your doctor’s post-op instructions and keep up with your follow-up appointments. This will ensure that you are healing properly and that your results appear as they should be.
If you notice any signs that you have an infection or have any concerns, it is important to call your doctor right away. If there is any pus or bright redness at the incision sites, contact us immediately. The recovery period might also be different if you have done a neck lift procedure in addition to another cosmetic procedure. The more procedures that are done at once, the longer the recovery period will be.