Although neck lift is a relatively less invasive procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon, but it still involves a significant recovery process. The surgeon will provide detailed instructions well in advance for a safer and speedier recovery, and may again review those instructions before the patient is ready to leave for home after the neck lift surgery.
The patient should feel free to ask questions about the recovery and the estimated downtime, so that they can plan for leave from work or arrange for any help at home for the period of recovery. Dr. Paul McCluskey is an experienced plastic surgeon providing neck lift and other procedures for the face, body and breast to patients in Atlanta, GA and surrounding communities.
Estimated Downtime
Post-op downtime involved in neck lift plastic surgery will usually be about one week. While the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, the patient should have someone responsible to drive them back home after the surgery. They may apply for a week’s leave at their workplace so that they can have a stress-free recovery along with plenty of rest at home. During this downtime phase, the patient may need pain meds prescribed by the cosmetic surgeon to manage the initial pain and soreness.
Maintaining Blood Flow
From the second day of the surgery, the patient may perform short, mild walks at home to maintain blood flow. They should wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes that button up the front for the first few days. Heavy lifting of weights and strenuous exercises should be avoided in the first few weeks, but normal routine activities can be resumed after a week. Reasonable amount of activity will only support faster healing.
Staying Alert for Infections
Mild bruising and swelling after the neck lift surgery is expected, and will gradually dissipate. But if the patient experiences other warning signs such as acute and persistent pain in the incision areas, presence of pus at the incision site, high fever, or abnormal swelling that does not subside, they should immediately contact the surgeon. To protect against post-surgical infection, the patient should avoid any contact with dirt in the incision areas, and avoid submerging the incision site in water.
Common Side Effects
Temporary side effects typically associated with neck lift surgery include pain and discomfort, and mild bruising and swelling in the incision areas. Some amount of scarring is unavoidable in any surgical procedure, including neck lift.
However, the scars will become thinner and gradually fade away to appear as thin, white lines. Scarring will be less obvious when the surgeon places the incisions in natural neck creases or other discreet locations. Experienced plastic surgeon Dr. McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, GA and nearby areas for neck lift.
Results
The patient can notice the improvement in their neck appearance immediately after the surgery, but clearer results will establish over a few months as the swelling reduces. In about six months, full results will appear in most cases. The patient may be able to enjoy tighter and firmer neck and a more defined jaw line for at least five to 10 years or longer.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit: