Frequently performed in combination with a facelift and eyelid surgery, a neck lift is a surgical procedure designed to reduce sagging skin in the neck and under the jaw line. Performed with minimal incisions well hidden behind the ear, a neck lift is actually a set of procedures used to enhance the appearance of your neck:

• Cervicoplasty is the procedure used to remove excess skin
  
• Platysmaplasty removes or alters neck muscles

Preparing for a Neck Lift

During your consultation, your surgeon will instruct you on what medications to avoid prior to your surgery.

If you are a smoker, you will need to quit at least two weeks before the surgery and two weeks after. You cannot just plan to cut down. You must not smoke for this time period to ensure proper healing.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of surgery.

Recovery

You should plan to take at least one week off from work to recover. Based on your personal situation, most people can return to work in 10-14 days.

If you participate in sports or are physically active, you will have to wait at least three weeks, if not longer, to resume those activities.

To make recovery more comfortable, the following products are highly recommended:

• Ice packs
  
• Gauze and towels
  
• Thermometer
  
• Supply of comfortable, loose clothing (preferably button down shirts or blouses that do not have to be pulled over your neck and head)
  
• Petroleum jelly and antibacterial ointment for incision sites
  
• Telephone within reaching distance of where you'll be lying or sitting most of the time
  
• Supply of pillows which will allow you to keep your head in a comfortable position
  
• Someone who can stay with you at least the first 24 hours after surgery

Complications and Side Effects

Swelling and bruising can last several days. You may experience tightness, tingling, burning, pulling, and numbness. These are all very normal in the first few weeks following surgery and should not be cause for concern.

As with any surgery, you run the risk of infection. Please keep a watchful eye on your temperature. At the first sign of a fever, contact your doctor. If you have unusual discharge from the incision site, such as pus, contact your doctor immediately.

Although rare, you could have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. That's why it's very important to disclose any drug allergies to your doctor in a pre-operative consultation.