COSMETIC PROCEDURES

NECK LIFT – PLATYSMAPLASTY

Muscles and skin

The sagging of tissues and muscles around the jaw profile and along the neck is the most intense facial aging factor. The loss of smoothness is evidenced by the flaccidity in the center of the neck. The cause for this is the drooping of facial tissues, which must be lifted and tightened. Some patients supplement facial feminization with a neck lift or platysmaplasty, to reposition the skin and muscles over the new bone structure, so that they may look again as they used to look before they were affected by the passing of time.

Surgery

To perform a neck lift, the surgeon makes an incision with two sections: a first vertical section that runs behind each ear (retroauricular), and a second 5-cm horizontal section, parallel to the hairline over the nape (mastoid). In some cases, it is necessary to make a small incision underneath the chin and/or a double chin liposuction to achieve better results. Through these incisions, the surgeon separates the neck muscles and skin, tightens and lifts them to restore a more youthful position and appearance.

The results are even more surprising when this procedure is combined with a facelift.

Anesthesia, hospitalization and recovery

General anesthesia is normally necessary for lifting the lower third of the neck, and the patient must stay at the clinic for one day. In very limited cases, where the zone to be treated is not very large, this procedure may be conducted in an ambulatory consultation, with local anesthesia plus sedation, and the surgery only takes a few hours.

Once the procedure is over, the incisions will be sutured and several bandages will be placed. You may return to your hotel with these bandages, which will be changed for an elastic chin girdle that your must wear for a few hours for a period of two weeks. You must return to the clinic five or twelve days after the surgery, when the surgeon will remove the stitches from the incisions.

It is very frequent to use dual mesh drainages, which will evacuate liquid deposits (serum or blood) during the first post-operatory hours. It is very important to refrain from smoking. The resulting bruises fade gradually during the first week and the swelling may take a little longer. The patient must sleep without flexing the neck (without pillows) and holding the head high (leaning) during the first weeks. We recommend a lymphatic drainage with a light finger pressure, twice a week, during the first month.

Possible Complications

Our surgeons are highly qualified to prevent any post-operatory complication and in the case of a neck lift, the risks may be:

- Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
All patients must go through a pre-surgical process, and must undergo the following tests:

- Complete blood and urine tests, radiology, cardiology, and pulmonology tests, among others. These tests reduce the possibility of irregularities during surgery and subsequently.

- Asymmetries.- Due to our doctors’ experience and accurate diagnoses, this type of complication is very unlikely and corrigible.

Keloid formation is very rare.

COSMETIC PROCEDURES