A neck lift is a cosmetic procedure done to reduce the loose look of sagging skin in the neck area and under the jaw line.  A neck lift may be

• A cervicoplasty – to lift the excess neck skin
• A platysmaplasty- to  address weakened or loose muscles

• Candidates who are physically healthy, psychologically healthy and have realistic expectations from the procedure
• Candidates who seek improvement rather than perfection

Though risks of complications occur in very rare cases, they may include

• Allergic reactions to the anaesthetic used
• Infection
• Asymmetry
• Haematoma or seroma
• Lumpiness,
• Mottling of the skin.
• Cording
• Laxity relapse of the platysma and skin of the neck.
• Permanent numbness
• Puckering of the skin and deeper than desired depressions
• Excess scar tissue and lumps

• During the initial consultation, a thorough discussion on the expectations of the patient is understood
• The surgeon will evaluate the face, including the skin and underlying bone
• The surgeon shall perform a medical evaluation to rule out factors that may affect the procedure such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars.
• Photographs are taken for further comparison after procedure.
• The doctor discusses and advises on options of anaesthesia, surgery, type of facilities and cost with the patient.
• The patient must inform doctor of any previous injury or surgery, allergies, infections, smoking habits, recreational drugs and medications being taken.
• The doctor provides guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. 
• The patient is advised to stop any anti inflammatory drugs for a period before the surgery.
• Steroid injections may be given before the surgery to reduce swelling
• Vitamins may be prescribed to promote healing
• The patient must arrange for transportation and assistance to leave for home after the surgery.

1. The patient is administered local or general anaesthesia
2. a) Cervicoplasty
   • Two incisions are made under or behind each ear
   • The excess skin is trimmed and lifted into place and sutured or fixed with tissue glue
   b) Platysmaplasty
   • A small incision is made under the chin and behind/under each ear
   • A section of fat muscle is manipulated or removed and the ends are sutured to bring them together at the mid-anterior (front) section of the neck
3. A pressure dressing is placed around the head
   Both surgeries take two to four hours to complete.

The surgery is mostly done as an outpatient procedure and the patient is discharged the same day.

• Patients may experience some numbness and temporary discomfort around the incision, which can be controlled with prescription medication.
• The neck may feel tight and quite tender as the anaesthesia wears off. 
• The patient may be advised to keep the head elevated following surgery to keep the swelling down.
• Swelling and bruising may affect the lower face and neck for three days, which generally disappear in a week or so.
• The sutures are removed after 7-10 days

• The patient must sleep on two pillows to keep the head elevated for about 14 days or as suggested by the surgeon
• The patient must not turn his head from side to side and must move the whole body if he requires to move. 
• The patient must contact the physician if there are any signs of excessive pain, redness, pus or elevated temperature.
• The patient must take adequate rest for the first 3 weeks.
• Patients can return to work in 10-14 days.
•  The patient must not bend over or lift heavy objects. 
• The patient must not perform activities that raise the blood pressure for at least 3 weeks as this could cause internal bleeding at your treatment area. 
• The patient must not participate in contact sports for at least 6-8 weeks
• The patient must not to go into any steam rooms or use steam devices, saunas, face and neck masks or products containing Niacin, Niacinamide or Niacinamate which cause flushing of the skin. 
• The patient must continue to avoid alcohol, smoking and aspirin containing products for a few weeks

Haematoma - a collection of blood under the skin that must be removed by the surgeon