Your neck lift surgery is just the beginning. What happens during your recovery largely determines how good your final results look and how long they last.
At our state-of-the-art practice in San Mateo, California, board-certified facial plastic surgeon R. James Koch, MD, performs neck lifts on-site using conscious sedation. You enjoy the best possible results when you follow the recommended recovery steps.
Your recovery starts the moment you leave our office. The neck support strap you receive helps your skin conform to its new contours while reducing swelling. Here’s what you can expect during the first couple of weeks at home:
Wear the strap continuously for the entire first week, removing it only for quick showers after Day 2. Keep your head elevated while sleeping. This position reduces swelling and promotes better circulation to the treatment area. Taking prescribed medications on schedule helps prevent pain from interfering with your rest.
You can return to light activities within 24 hours, but avoid bending over or lifting anything heavy during the first week. These restrictions protect your incisions and prevent complications.
During the second week, wear the strap at night to maintain the improvements as your tissues continue healing. Most patients are able to start light exercise at this stage.
Dr. Koch schedules follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address any concerns with healing. These appointments allow him to assess how your tissues are responding and make adjustments to your care plan if needed.
Your sutures typically come out after one week, but healing continues for several weeks afterward. During follow-up visits, Dr. Koch evaluates your incision lines, checks for proper skin tightening, and determines when you can safely resume all normal activities, including exercise.
Many people benefit from combining their neck lift with additional procedures during the same surgical session. Some patients will benefit from VASER-Assisted Neck Liposuction which uses ultrasound to tighten neck skin that can not be directly removed. Also, a facelift (which is actually a Face and Neck Lift) is preferred for significant neck skin laxity, and also addresses the jowls and lower face areas that neck liposuction and tightening alone can’t improve.
Dr. Koch evaluates patients to determine which combination approach produces the most natural-looking outcomes. Some people with moderate skin laxity achieve excellent results with neck liposuction and submentoplasty (under the chin) to remove excess skin directly.
The decision depends on your anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals. During your consultation, Dr. Koch explains which approach best addresses your concerns.
Your neck lift offers lasting improvements, but your skin doesn’t stop aging. Strategic maintenance treatments help preserve your results and address new changes.
Dr. Koch offers several options to maintain your refreshed appearance:
These treatments can help you look refreshed and youthful long after your initial procedure.
Understanding the normal healing process prevents unnecessary worry. Initial swelling peaks within the first few days, then gradually subsides over the following weeks.
Final results are typically apparent around six weeks post-surgery, but subtle improvements can continue for up to six months.
If you’re considering neck lift surgery, contact us at 669-279-3663, text us, or schedule online at drkochfacialplasticsurgery.com to book your neck lift consultation today.
