Several factors impact how your skin looks as you age. This includes genetics, weight fluctuations, skin care, sun exposure, and exposure to environmental toxins. As you age, your body also produces less collagen and elastin. These are protein molecules that provide structure and elasticity to your skin and affect the visible signs of aging.
Excess drooping skin along the jawline or under the chin, along with fat deposits that have been resistant to diet and exercise, can all make you look and feel older and more tired than you actually are. A neck lift in Clear Lake could adjust your skin and fat deposits, revealing a more youthful and smoother silhouette. Call board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Olivier Deigni to discuss your options today.
A neck lift—also called a lower rhytidectomy—is a cosmetic procedure that improves the visible signs of aging along the jawline and neck. The surgery addresses excess fat and skin, corrects muscle banding, and improves abnormal contours.
Muscle banding is the visible appearance of the platysma muscles on the front of the neck. These bands can become more prominent with age due to the loss of skin elasticity, the weakening of the muscles, or the separation of the muscle edges. They appear as vertical or horizontal lines running from the jawline to the collarbone. Muscle banding does not affect function, but it does change appearance. Dr. Olivier Deigni, a highly trained facial plastic surgeon in Clear Lake and League City, could help you achieve a smoother and more refined appearance with a neck lift.
A good candidate for a neck lift has excess skin or fat deposits along the jawline or under the chin. They should also be in good general health with no underlying medical conditions that can increase surgical risks or impaired healing, such as:
Individuals should have realistic expectations about the results and understand there are limitations to the procedure. Candidates with good skin elasticity and tone typically have better results.
Individuals who may not be a good candidate are those who have:
Additionally, the ideal candidate should stop smoking six weeks before and after the surgery for the best results. Smoking increases the risk of complications during and after surgery. Nicotine increases the risk of complications from anesthesia and causes constriction of the blood vessels, which impairs healing and increases the risk of infection.
A neck lift procedure in Clear Lake is done under general anesthesia. However, in cases where little work is required, Dr. Deigni may consider sedation and local anesthesia. Several surgical approaches may be considered, depending on your anatomy, goals, and skin flexibility.
Liposuction may be included to remove pockets of fat that have resisted diet and exercise. Liposuction may give you a more defined neck, but it does not correct the underlying structural issues that contribute to your appearance.
In an anterior neck lift, a small incision is made under the chin so Dr. Deigni can remove the excess skin, repair neck muscle banding, remove excess fat, and tighten the underlying tissue.
An extended neck lift is combined with a facelift so Dr. Deigni can work on deep structural issues and remove excess skin.
Recovery from neck lift surgery in Clear Lake typically occurs in several stages. In the immediate post-operative period, you will receive detailed instructions on how to care for yourself. When you wake up, you can expect to be groggy and have some mild discomfort as the anesthesia wears off.
You may have small drainage tubes placed around the incision line to help prevent the buildup of fluid in the first five to seven days. You will be taught how to take care of these drainage tubes, as they are necessary to protect the surgical area and reduce the risk of infection. Swelling and bruising are typical in the first 48 hours but can last for two to three weeks.
It helps to keep your head elevated and use cold compresses to reduce the swelling. You should also wear a compression garment that helps to minimize swelling and improve healing. Rest is crucial; you must avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and bending over to protect the incisions.
During your first post-operative appointment, Dr. Deigni will monitor your healing, remove the draining to drainage tubes, and answer any of your questions. It is important to follow his instructions for keeping the wound clean and dry and applying any recommended ointments.
Most patients can return to their normal activities within six weeks, but the final results can take several months to be visible. It is important to maintain a stable weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise to preserve the results.
A neck lift procedure can be a great choice for removing sagging skin, correcting muscle banding, and eliminating jowls. Each of these contributes to looking older than you are. We encourage you to call our office at 281-721-4373 and schedule your consultation to learn more about a neck lift in Clear Lake.
