Plastic Surgery Neck Lift Chicago
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Turning back the signs of aging in the face and neck can range from using nonsurgical options to electing a facelift (rhytidectomy) and necklift. Facial aging is accelerated by gravity, excessive sun exposure, and smoking. The signs are seen on the surface of the face and neck skin as wrinkles and in the deeper layers of the face and neck as soft tissue loss that intensifies skin sagging.
During the initial consultation, Dr. Casas may ask you to point out exactly what you would like to see improved. Dr. Casas may discuss with you additional surgical and nonsurgical procedures that can be performed to improve your result. A facelift is frequently combined with a forehead lift and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). Weeks prior to surgery, Dr. Casas will prepare your skin for surgery with skin care products incorporating retin-A and often times Botox®, fillers, and soft tissue volumetric agents.
A facelift usually takes several hours and the scars are usually concealed in the hairline and in the crease behind the ear. The goal of the face and neck tightening is to look “fresh,” not pulled and too tight. There are many technique options which Dr. Casas will discuss with you so that your face and neck lift are customized to meet your expectations. After surgery, Dr. Casas will place protective bandages around your head. These bandages will be removed two or three days after surgery. Each patient recovers at a different pace, and Dr. Casas will instruct you to take supplements before and after surgery that will help to decrease the swelling and bruising. Massage therapy is also used to quicken the recovery process. Most patients are back to work in ten to fourteen days and are fully recovered by three to six months.
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Neck Lift Procedure: Step by Step
A neck lift procedure can significantly change the appearance of your jawline, as well as your face. This is due to the aesthetic changes that can be made to the neck while providing a much more youthful appearance. The procedure aims to remove excess skin and fat, giving your neck, jaw, and face a more refined shape.
It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to reduce the signs of natural aging. In many cases, neck lifts are done in conjunction with facelifts for a more uniform look. Most people understand what needs to be done to achieve the results they want, but surgery comes with specific requirements before, during, and after.
What You Can Expect
Your surgeon is likely to customize their approach to each patient as their needs are bound to vary. However, some steps can't be disregarded as they are vital for the outcome of your procedure and overall health. Every step of your neck lift surgery will be covered in your consultation, but it never hurts to review them ahead of time.
Before the Surgery
The first steps taken toward your operation are some of the most important. This is when you’ll handle your consultation and review the current condition of your health. Based on the status of your health and expectations of your results, your surgeon will formulate the best route to get that done.
Depending on the outcome you’re hoping for, it’s possible that your surgeon will suggest additional procedures. Sometimes, these types of surgical procedures require a multi-step approach to deliver the desired results.
Your face will also be closely measured and examined to map out the work that needs to be done and to give you a visual idea of the changes that’ll be made. It’s also common for a few pictures to be taken of your face for comparison once your surgery is complete. This is especially important if the changes being made are quite subtle.
During the Surgery
Before surgery begins, your surgeon will either fully sedate you or use local anesthesia. This heavily depends on the severity of your neck lift surgery and the work it requires. Only a localized area will feel numb with local anesthesia, and this approach is optimal for less complicated work.
You can expect your surgeon to use liposuction as well, as this will remove fat from beneath the chin and jawline. This is generally done by making an incision under the chin and behind each of your ears. More work needs to be done in most cases, but liposuction alone can make a visible difference in your neck’s appearance by removing fat.
It may reduce fullness, but it won’t do anything for structural issues, which is where more manual work will be required. The techniques your surgeon uses will be chosen based on the work you want to be done and the costs you discussed during your consultation.
Incisions will need to be made throughout the procedure, and surgeons have the option of making a traditional or limited incision. With the traditional method, an incision is made at the hairline by the sideburn area and travels around the ear. When making a limited incision, this usually only affects the area around the ear.
Depending on the needs of the procedure, fat may be removed, sculpted, or redistributed, and platysma muscles may be tightened as well. Once the work is complete, incisions are closed with sutures or skin glue. Dissolving sutures are much more common nowadays, but the traditional variety will have to be removed a few days later.
After the Surgery
To get the results you're hoping for, it's essential that you follow all aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon. It's common for swelling and bruising to occur after your operation. It's also possible to need a thin tube to help drain excess fluid and blood that collects after the surgery. The aftercare instructions your surgeon provides will likely cover how to care for the surgical area, handling drainage, necessary medications, and any potential risks to look out for.
The human body is quite sensitive, and regardless of how minimal this surgery may seem, it’s vital to keep it protected. Getting a neck lift Chicago hails as one of the best is a good way to ensure your health remains uncompromised. Dr. Casas fully understands patient concerns and will guarantee that you aren’t left in the dark about the entire process from beginning to end.
You'll be provided with a garment to cover the surgical site, which will also help deal with swelling, bruising, and potential drainage. It's also important to keep your head in a fixed position for the most part, and it needs to be elevated when you rest.
This ensures that you properly heal in a quick time frame without damaging the incision area or affecting the work that has been done. Your surgeon will also instruct you not to apply ice after the surgery, as this can cause issues with blood flow. Now that you have a thorough understanding of what a neck lift process looks like, it’s time to review the potential risks associated with it.
What Are the Risks?
With any surgical procedure, there are always some known risks involved. These shouldn’t scare you by any means, but you should be fully aware of what you’re getting into. By working with a skilled plastic surgeon, you can avoid the following risks associated with a neck lift procedure.
Known risks include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Numbness
- Asymmetry
- Skin loss
- Nerve injury
- Scarring
- Skin discoloration
These are a few of the most common risks, but in rare instances, you may encounter deep vein thrombosis, temporary or permanent hair loss, and anesthesia risks. If you aren’t satisfied with the results, additional surgeries will be needed to make revisions.
The Cost of a Neck Lift
This is guaranteed to vary based on a number of factors, but neck lift procedures generally range between $5,500 and $6,000. Your location, techniques used, tools, and techniques required will all play a part in the cost of your surgery.
However, Dr. Casas focuses on providing a neck lift cost Chicago citizens can work with. You'll be able to discuss payment options during your consultation to see what works best for you. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call us at 847-657-6884, and we'll be happy to provide some answers!
