Neck Lift in St. Louis, MO

 Aging, heredity, sun damage, and smoking frequently result in the skin losing its firmness and elasticity. This is often most apparent on the face and neck, where wrinkles, lines, and loose, hanging skin (known collectively as skin laxity) can significantly impact a person’s self-esteem.

Specifically, a neck lift can be used to address one or more of these symptoms:

• Jowls (the sagging fat and excess skin along the jawline)
• “Double chin” (hanging fat just below the chin)
• Banding of the neck skin and underlying muscle, commonly known as “turkey neck” or “turkey wattle"

The neck lift is often administered at the same time as the facelift technique. Many times, skin laxity on the face and neck occurs simultaneously, so it usually makes sense to do both procedures during the same operation. In fact, these procedures, use very similar incisions. This is especially true for extensive jowling, which can be addressed with a facelift and neck lift. It is difficult to fully address jowling without a facelift procedure being done in conjunction with a neck lift.  After that, facelifts are typically recommended for patients with sagging cheeks, prominent laugh lines, and other signs of skin laxity in this area of the face. Neck list are used to address the symptoms described above (double chin, excess neck skin, neck bands, loss of jaw definition when viewed from the side).

During your consultation,  Dr. Hulsey will carefully examine your skin to determine if plastic surgery is the right option for you and, if so, which procedure(s) best match your symptoms. 

If approved for neck lift surgery, your procedure will take place at Seven Oaks Surgery Center, LLC, next door to the practice. You’ll be provided with either general anesthesia by board-certified, MD anesthesiologists to make sure you’re comfortable.

Dr. Hulsey will then make an incision in front of each ear near the sideburn, around the earlobes,and then up behind the back of the ear. Each end of the incision may extend up into the hairline, but not always. A separate incision might also be made directly under the chin if needed. From there, the jawline and neck skin is pulled back, and any excess fat is removed. The platysma muscle, which stretches across the neck just below the surface, may also be tightened. Next, the skin is redraped back over the treatment area and tightened. Any unnecessary skin will be removed at this time.

Drains are placed, and patients are placed in a head wrap to help with bruising, swelling, and to help avoid fluid accumulation. Patients are then transferred to the recovery area where they are closely monitored until they go home later that day. Patients are seen in clinic by Dr. Hulsey the next day, at which time drains are usually pulled, and the headwrap is replaced with a compression garment. Sutures are removed 5-7 days after surgery.

Recovery is pretty much the same as a face lift procedure, as they are usually perforemd together. Patients should expect to wake up with a compressive head wrap. This helps control bruising and swelling during recovery. Elevating your head when you sleep should minimize swelling and bruising. Most bruising will disappear within two weeks. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications, and you should not smoke or be exposed to heavy secondary smoke for a while.

Any bandages and drain tubes will usually be removed in one or two days. At that time, you might notice puffiness and discoloration, which may be more pronounced in some portions of your face than others.

After a few days, you will be permitted to wear makeup to help conceal discoloration. Your stitches will be removed 5-7 days after surgery.

Activity restrictions include avoiding strenuous activity and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. This is important to avoid increases in blood pressure than can cause bleeding, or worsen swelling and bruising. Patients can resume lighter activities after 4 weeks, and ease back into the more strenuous exercises at 6 weeks. Dr. Hulsey recommends taking 1-2 weeks off work.  

You will be instructed to temporarily avoid exposure to direct sunlight and, for the long term, be conscientious about using sunblock to protect your skin.f approved for neck lift surgery, your procedure will take place at Seven Oaks Surgery Center, LLC, next door to the practice. You’ll be provided with either general anesthesia by board-certified, MD anesthesiologists to make sure you’re comfortable.

Dr. Hulsey will then make an incision in front of each ear near the sideburn, around the earlobes,and then up behind the back of the ear. Each end of the incision may extend up into the hairline, but not always. A separate incision might also be made directly under the chin if needed. From there, the jawline and neck skin is pulled back, and any excess fat is removed. The platysma muscle, which stretches across the neck just below the surface, may also be tightened. Next, the skin is redraped back over the treatment area and tightened. Any unnecessary skin will be removed at this time.

Drains are placed, and patients are placed in a head wrap to help with bruising, swelling, and to help avoid fluid accumulation. Patients are then transferred to the recovery area where they are closely monitored until they go home later that day. Patients are seen in clinic by Dr. Hulsey the next day, at which time drains are usually pulled, and the headwrap is replaced with a compression garment. Sutures are removed 5-7 days after surgery.

Having a limited neck lift is an option in patients who have excellent skin quality with little to no excess skin. These patients can can address excess fat, banding, and sagging muscle with just an incision under the chin. Those patients that only have excess fat under the chin may be able to have submental liposuction to address their submental (under the chin) fullness.  During your consultation, Dr. Hulsey will have you determine which procedure will help you meet your goals.