Dr. Matas Discusses the Neck Lift in a Q&A Interview
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. James A. Matas, recently provided a look inside what the neck lift procedure entails, answering questions ranging from the consultation to various post-operative details. If you would like to learn more about the facial rejuvenation procedure, keep reading to better understand what you can expect.
Should you have any questions, or wish to set up a consultation with Dr. Matas, please contact us today.
Q: How do you determine if a neck lift is more suitable for a patient compared to a facelift?
Dr. Matas: If the facial laxity involves the cheeks and neck, a facelift is recommended, and neck rejuvenation is part of the procedure. The neck, however, has several components that may need correction. Loose skin with sagging neck tissue will need tightening by removing redundant skin and placing incisions carefully to avoid scar detection. The neck may also have localized fat that will require liposuction, and the underlying muscles may need repositioning to improve the jaw-neck angle. If there is neck laxity with little to no facial laxity, then a neck procedure is conducted to improve the cosmetic appearance without a facelift.
Q: Are additional skin care treatments typically needed with a neck lift?
Dr. Matas: Neck lifts are a part of facial rejuvenation. As with any prospective surgical patient, a thorough consultation is conducted reviewing medical history and their concerns together with a physical examination. In my practice, I see patients with our medical aesthetician, and we conduct a skin care evaluation as well. The aging process involves the skin as well as the supporting structures of the face and neck. Recommendations will cover both skin care products and facial treatments, should they be necessary.
Q: What information do you gather during a facial evaluation?
Dr. Matas: I divide the patient’s face into upper, middle, and lower sections. By doing so, we can identify how facial aging has affected different areas of the face and neck. The bony structures of the face can result in accentuating effects of the aging process. For example, flat cheek bones or an underdeveloped bony chin can impact the facial appearance, resulting in more laxity of the cheek and neck. Sun damage and weight fluctuations can also influence the degree of facial laxity.
Q: What benefits can your patients expect following the surgery?
Dr. Matas: Neck lift procedures are designed to improve the patient’s appearance, and they certainly contribute to their youthfulness with less skin sagging and a better neck angle. If a healthy lifestyle is followed, the benefits of a neck lift can last 7 to 10 years.
Q: What safety precautions do you take for neck lift patients?
Dr. Matas: We take special care in our anesthetic approach to neck procedures. We not only have an accredited surgical facility, but also a board-certified MD anesthesiologist for most surgical procedures. Control of the airway is essential, and any swelling or bleeding in the neck could have a severe consequence. Tracheal intubation and careful monitoring is a necessity in these cases.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like patients to know about the neck lift?
Dr. Matas: This procedure can significantly improve their appearance with much less downtime and cost than a facelift.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding neck lift surgery or another procedure, we encourage you to schedule a consultation, and Dr. Matas will be more than happy to discuss your options.
Whether you are ready to schedule your consultation, or just have general questions, we are here for you! Ask our surgical coordinator, Normajean, today.
