Necklift | Platysma Plication | Arlington VA | Gainesville VA

There are three basic neck lifting procedures:

• Neck Liposculpture
• Platysma Plication
• Suture Suspension

Depending on your needs, one, two, or all three procedures may be indicated in addition to laser resurfacing. These lifting procedures tend to correct what is known as the cervico-mental angle (the angle between the chin and neck). The sharpening of this angle and smoothing the contour of your neck gives a more youthful appearance.

Liposculpture

Liposuction removes excess neck fat by gentle suction and leaves the overlying skin, for most patients, tightened. However, the tightening of the skin is a much slower process and sometimes not as complete in older patients. Liposculpture is not for sagging jowls and folds in the neck also known as a “turkey” neck.

Platysma plication

A “turkey” neck is the outcome of both the aging process and the separation and thickening of a thin neck muscle known as the platysma. To correct this irregularity, a small incision is made in the neck. Then the platysma muscle is tightened with sutures so that the muscle returns to its normal sheet-like shape. Platysma plication does not correct mildly sagging jowls.

Suture suspension

To correct mildly sagging jowls and sharpening the angle between the chin and the neck, a small, well-hidden incision is made behind both ears as well as one underneath the chin. A special Gore-Tex suture is then placed underneath the skin, from ear to ear and tightens them. Suture suspension, however, will not correct moderately or heavily sagging jowls or tighten the cheek skin. A facelift would be indicated.

Pre-op Instructions and What to Expect on the Day of the Surgery

1. Stop aspirin or any aspirin-related products at least 10 days before surgery, and anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen/Alleve/Vioxx/Celebrex/Naproxen/Advil at least one week before surgery.
2. Stop Ginkgo Bilboa, Vitamin E or Vitamin C at least 10 days before surgery.
3. Eat a light breakfast the morning of the surgery.
4. You must have someone bring you to the surgery as well as drive you home since you will be drowsy from the medication we give you.

Post-Treatment Care

1. Your neck will be sore after the procedure. Usually, Tylenol Extra-Strength will be effective in substantially reducing the discomfort.

2. You should rest for the remainder of the day.

3. You should place a bag of ice on your neck for 20 minutes per hour while awake for the first 2 days. You may continue to do this several times per day after this period. This will help reduce the swelling and bruising.

4. For the first two days, you should eat soft foods such as Jell-O, yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, etc.

5. You will have both a pressure dressing and a compression garment. We will remove the compression dressing the day following your surgery. A new dressing will be placed and held together with a compression garment (face-bra). You will need to wear the compression garment all the time for the first week to reduce the swelling and bruising. After the first week, you will need to wear the compression garment when you sleep for the next 4-6 weeks. This will help contour the skin.

6. You should elevate your head (with an extra pillow) when you sleep.

7. You may resume normal activities, 4-6 weeks after the operation. Though we encourage walking, you should not vigorously exercise for 10 days after the operation. No heavy lifting for three weeks after the operation.

8. Your first follow up appointment will be one day after the operation to remove and change the dressings, then one week later to remove the sutures.