What Is Necklift Surgery?

Lower rhytidectomy or commonly called A neck lift, is a surgical procedure that improves and enhance the appearance of jawline and neck. Ageing of the neck often occurs in tandem with ageing of the face. Seldom can one be addressed without the other in order to achieve a youthful appearance. Problems in the neck could involve:

• The presence of neck lines
• Excessive neck fat
• Neck bands
• Loose skin resulting in a poorly defined jawline and cervicomental angle.

These problems result from a combination of factors, including the loss of skin laxity in the neck, the loss of platysma muscle integrity (the platysma being a broad sheet of muscle in the neck), herniation of deeper fat through the midline of the neck between the two halves of the platysma muscle and the formation of vertical bands in the platysma muscle.

The necklift is often performed in conjunction with the facelift. This allows for a more harmonious end result of a youthful and rejuvenated facial appearance, as the face and neck are viewed as a whole. Many structures in the face, such as the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS), continue from the neck and hence should be treated as a unit. Treatment of the neck would involve retightening the plastyma muscle, removal of any excess herniated fat, reduction of thickened subcutaneous fat, as well as re-suspension and removal of excess, loose neck skin.

The Necklift Surgery Procedure

Occasionally, it may be performed as a standalone procedure. The neck muscle (platysma) is tightened with correction of any bands, excess fat is removed, liposuction is performed and the skin lifted and tighted to produce a beautiful jawline and an attractive angle between the neck and lower face.

Some bruising and swelling is to be expected after the procedure, which will dissipate after 1-2 weeks. The use of a facelift band is critical for the success for this procedure and this has to be worn for 3-4 weeks after the procedure. Patients are able to return to light exercise after 1 week.