Neck lift

The neck can give away a person's real age but it's not just age that can affect the look of a the neck; hereditary fat deposits (such as a double chin) and gravity can also take their toll.

Usually after the age of forty, skin starts to show signs of ageing and as it becomes looser, wrinkles become deeper and folds appear in the face. When the skin under the chin slackens, a "turkey neck" can also develop.

A neck lift, also known as Platysmaplasty, is designed to counteract loose or sagging skin around the neck area. A neck lift can restore the tightness of the neck, create a youthful look on the lower jaw line and improve the appearance of the nasal labial folds (the line running from your nose to the corner of your mouth). This procedure can also be combined with a face lift to create an overall more youthful appearance.

The surgery

The neck lift can be performed using various techniques but the surgery options available will be narrowed down in accordance with the surgeon's preferred methods and ultimately chosen based on which procedure is most suitable for the patient.

Incisions can be made in front of and around the ear to create tightness under the chin and jaw line. However, if patients are unhappy with the chin area in particular, a small incision can be made under the chin to tighten the muscles. Liposuction can also be used in conjunction with chin tightening procedures in order to contour the area. Both of these options are performed under general anaesthetic and require a night's stay in hospital.

Following surgery, patients are usually required to wear a support garment on the area for a few weeks but patients should follow the guidelines given to them by their surgeon. Any stitches are removed 7 – 10 days after the operation by the surgeon or nurse and patients are usually advised to take 10 – 14 days off work, depending on the nature of their job.

Risks

As with all types of surgery, there are some risks involved with having a neck lift and these can include:

• Anaesthesia complications
• Haematoma
• Seroma
• Infection
• Loss of sensation / numbness for a few months

However, regulatory pre-operation checks are carried out in order to prevent these conditions from materialising and a course of anti-biotics are also provided as a precautionary measure after surgery.

Cost £4,500 - £5,500