Even though you’re excited about your neck lift, it’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive about any surgery. We find being armed with information and knowing what to expect are the best ways to combat any anxious feelings. One of the most important things to understand is what to expect as you recover. Taking the time to recover properly after a neck lift is vital, and doing so helps to promote healing, minimize complications, and optimize your final results.
A neck lift procedure involves removing excess skin and fat. Depending on your needs it may also involve tightening and suturing neck muscles. Although doctors employ advanced surgical techniques to keep it to a minimum, all of this cutting and suturing still creates surgical trauma. Your body needs ample time to fully heal and to flush the general anesthesia away. You’ll feel better faster if you give it that time rather than trying to do too much too soon.
We perform neck lift procedures on an outpatient basis, so you’ll go home the same day you have your surgery. You can go home, but you can’t drive yourself there because of the general anesthesia. Arrange for the person who drives you home (or someone else) to stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure. You’ll still be groggy and not up to doing much.
After your procedure, your anesthesiologist will wake you up. You won’t pop back up as quickly as a dandelion appearing on a freshly manicured lawn, however, so we’ll keep you in the recovery room for a bit. Here we’ll closely monitor your vital signs as well as your level of alertness as you wake up. When you’re alert enough, we'll explain your post-op instructions, schedule your follow-up appointment, and send you home.
When you wake up from surgery, the incisions behind your ears and under your chin will be covered with gauze. Unless told otherwise by your care team, refrain from changing your bandages during this time. Just keep them clean and dry.
If they deem it necessary, your surgeon will place small drain tubes into your incisions. These tubes remove excess fluid to reduce swelling. You’ll be asked to empty these tubes about two to three times a day, measuring and recording the amount of fluid that drains from them each time. (Don’t worry—we’ll show you how.) You need to measure the fluid carefully as it lets your surgeon know when it’s safe to remove the drains, which is typically done at your follow-up appointment.
Swelling and bruising are expected at this stage of healing, and it’s common to feel a tight sensation in the neck. You may also feel some mild pain and discomfort. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to help keep you comfortable, and you should take it as directed. It’s much easier to keep pain at bay now than it is to try and catch up to it later.
The first day or two after surgery is when your body’s healing process is at its peak. You should rest during this period, keeping your neck still and your head elevated. Keep your head elevated even when you sleep and wear your compression garment 24/7 as instructed. We know this isn't the most flattering garment. We’ll even go so far as to admit that it kind of looks like a jock strap for your head. But wearing it encourages healing and ensures that you get the best possible results from your surgery.
The third day after your neck lift is a glorious time because today you can take a shower! Treat your incisions gently when you do and pat them dry after rather than rubbing them. When you remove your bandages to shower, you may find some dried blood on your incisions. Don’t try to wash this off right away. Leaving it there won’t hurt anything, but trying to wipe it away might. Apply a clean dressing to your wound after your shower.
You may find that your swelling and bruising are getting worse during this time, and that’s okay. They should stabilize by the end of the week, but it’s normal for them to get worse before they get better. What your neck looks like now is in no way a reflection of your finished results, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t like what you see in the mirror.
You’ll keep wearing your compression garment at all times except when showering. It’s vital that you continue to keep your neck as still as possible and continue sleeping with your head elevated. Some patients find a wedge pillow helps with this while others prefer to sleep in a recliner.
Your follow-up appointment with your surgeon will happen this week. During this appointment your surgeon will check your incisions and healing progress. If you have drains or stitches that won't dissolve on their own, both may be removed at this appointment. If your doctor deems it too early to do so, they’ll schedule a second follow-up in a few days.
You may be starting to get a little antsy at this point, but it’s important to keep taking things slowly. You shouldn’t have any pain or discomfort now, but don’t let that lull you into thinking you’re ready to jump back in. Resume activities slowly and make sure you don't get ahead of yourself.
The swelling and bruising in your neck will begin to abate this week. By the end of the week, both will be significantly reduced. Some residual bruising may still be visible, but this is easily concealed with a high collar, scarf, or a bit of makeup.
It’s time to get moving, but make sure you keep your activity level light. Short walks are a great way to improve circulation and start to get your body back into the swing of things, but keep avoiding heavy lifting and other strenuous activities for now. You can likely return to work at the end of this week as long as your job isn't overly physical.
At this point your incisions should be fully closed or very close to it. When they are you can begin any scar treatments you’ve decided on. Silicone gels and sheets work well to soften and fade scars, as do scar massages. If you’re interested in massaging your scars, ask your surgeon to show you the proper technique.
Unless your surgeon tells you otherwise, you can begin wearing your compression garment only when you sleep. Continue to keep your head elevated when you do and keep your neck movements to a minimum.
Now is the time to get back to life in earnest and resume your normal daily activities. You’ll still need to be cautious and avoid any activity that might stress or pull on your neck, but you can now return to almost all parts of your usual daily routine.
With the bruising in your neck gone and the swelling greatly diminished, you’ll now start seeing improvements in your neck contour and shape. You’re still a few weeks away from your final result but things will definitely be looking better.
Weightlifting and other high-intensity movements are still off the table, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get back into the gym. Light aerobic activities like riding a stationary bike are excellent choices during this time.
Keep going with your scar treatments. Remember that scars exposed to the sun’s UV rays may grow dark and thick. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your scars every day.
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the home stretch and these last two weeks will be a breeze. You can now sleep in whatever position you wish and do so without your compression garment.
Now is the time to talk to your surgeon about lifting your activity restrictions. With their permission, you can now return to even strenuous activities like lifting weights. Barring complications, there is no reason you need to continue limiting your activities.
For the best results, you should continue treating your scar for up to a year after surgery. At six weeks post-surgery, your scars may still be red, feel slightly raised, and appear fairly visible, but they will continue to fade and soften with time. Remember as you wait that they are tucked discreetly behind your ears and beneath your chin where others are unlikely to find them as prominent as you do.
What you see in the mirror now are your final results. You may notice some slight improvements in the coming weeks, but any residual swelling should have subsided, making your new neck contours apparent. It’s time to enjoy your new, youthful look.
To prolong your results and keep your neck looking great, it’s important that you maintain a stable weight moving forward. Moisturize your skin daily and use skincare products that contain retinoids, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to help maintain skin firmness. Apply sunscreen daily. This is easiest if you choose a moisturizer with sunscreen in it. Avoid smoking and consuming large amounts of alcohol as both of these things can age the skin faster.
Throughout your recovery, there are a few things you can do to help manage the healing process and ensure a smooth journey. They include:
The most important thing you can do to ensure a smooth recovery is to follow your surgeon's post-op instructions carefully. We will provide you with a copy the day of your surgery and will post them online in your patient portal for convenient access. Refer to them often and, when in doubt, contact our office. We’re happy to help in any way we can as you navigate the healing process.
Patients with desk jobs can typically return to work about two weeks after surgery. More physically demanding jobs, however, may need to wait a bit longer. In this case, you may need to wait four to six weeks.
The most extreme swelling will subside about two to three weeks after your surgery. Residual swelling can last six weeks or longer but is not nearly as prominent or noticeable.
Your neck muscles and skin will be tighter after surgery, and they will feel that way. Postsurgical swelling tends to exacerbate this feeling. Most patients find that this tight sensation fades significantly during the first three to six weeks after surgery.
It is common to experience some numbness after a neck lift due to nerve disruption in the surgical area. Things gradually improve in two to four weeks and in most cases, overall numbness is replaced by small areas of reduced sensation in one to three months. But nerves can heal slowly, so you could experience reduced sensation for up to a year after surgery.