Neck Lifts in Beverly Hills

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Few areas of the body cause patients as much frustration as an aging neck. In fact, the neck is often the first sign of aging in an otherwise youthful face. With age, the platysma muscle, which covers the neck and the jaw, loosens. With this loosening, the central aspect of the platysma muscles separates to form two distinct bands stretching from the chin to the lower neck. Loose skin can hang down and sway, giving an appearance of a "turkey" neck.

The beautiful border of the lower jaw becomes obscured, and the youthful sharp angle between the upper neck and undersurface of the chin becomes blunted and ill-defined. The relaxed muscle and skin can make shaving difficult for men and can roll over even the best custom-made dress shirts. It is not just that patients don't like how their necks look - it is also the uncomfortable feeling of the loose and dangling skin that bothers them.

Why Consider a Neck Lift?

Among Dr. David Sayah's patients seeking plastic surgery in Beverly Hills, a neck lift is one of the most sought-after procedures for youth restoration.

• A neck lift procedure may be right for you if you would like to see any of the following:*
• A strong chin and jawline
• Less fat under the chin
• Reduced loose skin or sagging around the neck
• Overall more youthful appearance

Often, patients requesting neck recontouring (cervicoplasty) are already considering facelift surgery to rejuvenate their face, and these procedures can be combined. Other patients have no concerns about their face but feel that their neck has deteriorated out of proportion to their face, and these patients will have a neck recontouring procedure alone. The last group of patients may have had a facelift in the past, but either did not get enough correction of their neck initially, or the results were not long-lasting as their neck has once again aged over time.

To discuss your neck's appearance and whether you should also have a neck lift procedure done by a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, request a consultation today at (310) 905-8405.

Procedure

The surgery is best done with long-acting local anesthetics added to minimize postoperative pain with or without a light general anesthesia. After you are asleep, the surgery begins with the injection of a long-acting local anesthetic to keep you comfortable long after the procedure is over. If excess fat is present in your neck, your neck is sculpted by liposuction. Next, a minimal incision is made underneath the chin.

Because of the use of the endoscope, these incisions can be kept very short, with the 1/8-inch-incisions hidden in the crease behind each ear to re-create a shelf in your neck and create neck definition. Both of these incisions heal very well and are quite inconspicuous. Through the small incision under your chin, the platysma muscles are re-approximated together with sutures, correcting the banding that has occurred in the aging neck. The muscles are then reinforced to provide improved neck definition with a more long-lasting result. The endoscope is then used to create a tunnel from behind one ear across under the jawbone to behind the other ear.*

Then, a very unique, gentle, corset-like stitch is placed from behind one ear, down and around the neck and back up behind the other ear. This helps tighten the neck, obliterate the banding and create a more pleasing transition from the under aspect of the chin to the upper neck. Finally, the skin is re-draped over the recontoured neck. At the conclusion, the incisions are meticulously closed with the finest plastic surgical suture technique. The entire procedure is always fine-tuned to each patient's particular needs and usually takes about two hours.*

After the Procedure

You will have much less pain and discomfort than you anticipate. A comfortable bandage will be placed on your face and neck to compress the surgical area. After arriving home, consume a clear liquid diet of water, apple juice or sodas. It is important to maintain your head in an elevated position by placing two pillows under your upper back at all times.

Do not maintain your neck in a flexed position at any time. Twisting neck motions should also be avoided for two weeks. Ice packs have demonstrated to decrease any bruising. Try to fall asleep on your back, as this position places the least amount of tension on your surgical neck recontouring.

The office staff will contact you on the evening of surgery to be certain you are comfortable and that all your questions are answered. You may resume a regular diet the morning after surgery. You should avoid foods that require opening your mouth very wide (apples) or foods that require vigorous chewing (gum/steak), as they may pull on the repaired platysma muscle in your neck. Continue using the ice packs the day after your procedure to minimize any swelling.

With Dr. Sayah's minimally invasive surgery and this regimen, most patients experience little swelling or bruising after surgery. Walk around your home to keep blood circulating throughout your body. You can resume your regular activities seven days after surgery with the exception of strenuous activities such as heavy lifting or straining. Such strenuous activities can be started four weeks after your neck lift procedure.