Deep Plane Neck Lift

Yes, a neck lift may be performed in a younger patient who has a thicker neck or double chin due to excess adipose tissue or fat deposits. The surgical technique is catered to individual needs, with greater emphasis on submental liposuction for chin and neck contouring and more conservative skin flaps for lifting and tightening.

Alternatively, patients may be better suited for undergoing neck liposuction.

No, a neck lift is not recommended for active tobacco smokers.

Nicotine in tobacco products causes vasoconstriction and poor blood flow, resulting in decreased delivery of vital nutrients and oxygen to the skin flaps used for lifting and tightening the neck. The nicotine-mediated tissue ischemia puts smokers at a significantly higher risk for poor wound healing with possible skin necrosis or skin loss.

Tobacco users interested in undergoing neck lifting or neck liposuction must quit smoking prior to undergoing surgery. To ensure tobacco cessation is adequate, blood nicotine testing may performed preoperatively. It is also important to avoid smoking during the postoperative period until the neck is well-healed.

The platysma is a thin, sheet-like muscle that drapes over the anterior neck, extending from the lower jaws, or mandibles, down to the collarbones, or clavicles.

Some people are born with a platysma muscle that is more likely to separate in the submental, or under chin, area. This anatomic variation becomes pronounced with aging and time, appearing as two discrete vertical bands along the anterior neck and chin.

Platysmal banding may be present at rest and/or noticeable with activity such as grimacing or smiling.

The most common complication after a neck lift is bleeding, especially within the first 24 hours after surgery. However, the risk is low when appropriate, evidence-based interventions are taken.

In her practice, Dr. Ghorab uses a tissue adhesive, called Tisseel®, during surgery as well as a compressive “mummy” wrap dressing after, with excellent control of bleeding in the postoperative period.

There are many proactive measures that can be taken to decrease the risk of bleeding after a deep plane neck lift.

During a neck lifting procedure, careful and skillful surgical techniques minimize tissue trauma and blood loss. Also, use of a biologic tissue adhesive, like Tisseel®, further decreases the risk of bleeding by helping tissues seal and heal. Some surgeons may choose to place a neck drain at the end of the case. Lastly, a compressive dressing wrap may be placed for hemostasis and support.

All these measures lead to safer and superior outcomes for patients after a deep plane neck lift in Scottsdale.

It depends on your surgeon.

A drain may be placed after a deep plane neck lift to provide a conduit for evacuating blood so it doesn’t collect at the surgical sites. This is particularly helpful in case of significant, large-volume postoperative bleeding. Though a historically common practice, research has shown that biologic tissue adhesives significantly reduce the risk of bleeding, thus negating the need for a drain altogether.

At Saba Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, Dr. Ghorab does not routinely use a drain after a neck lift.

The results of a deep plane neck lift generally last for 10 to 15 years. Depending on individual anatomy, genetics, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals, results may last even longer or shorter than this.

While the aging process will inevitably continue, maintenance aesthetic care after a neck lift allows patients to have a youthful and refreshed appearance for a longer period of time.

Some patients may choose to undergo additional neck lifting procedures in the future to maintain their results, while others may find that the effects of their initial procedure are sufficient to meet their aesthetic goals. In either case, these procedures are highly effective at rejuvenating the neck and providing patients with renewed vitality and confidence.