Neck Lift Recovery: What to Expect After Your Surgery

Losing your sleek neck contours is a common part of aging due to factors like sun damage and genetics. If you miss having a smooth neck, you may be an ideal candidate for neck lift, a popular form of plastic surgery that removes excess fat, tightens skin, and relaxes protruding bands for a natural, youthful slope that is distinct from the jaw.

For many people, the benefits of neck lift sound great, but they have concerns about what recovery is like. You may be wondering just how painful neck lift is and how long it will be before you look and feel normal again. Dr. Min Ahn, one of the nation’s foremost facial plastic surgeons, discusses what you can expect from this rejuvenating procedure.

Discomfort

Dr. Ahn uses twilight anesthesia (aka intravenous sedation) to keep you comfortable during your procedure. He prescribes pain medication for you to take after your surgery so that you can manage any lingering discomfort in the first few days. Fortunately, it is unusual for patients to report significant discomfort, let alone anything that rises to the level of being painful.

Downtime

You should plan to devote a full week to rest and relaxation after your surgery to promote better healing. In the first few days, your neck will look significantly bruised and swollen, though this will fade over time. During this period, Dr. Ahn will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that you are recovering well and free of complications. 

Resuming Your Normal Activities

Most likely, you will look and feel well enough to resume your normal activities, including work, between 10 and 14 days after your surgery. Makeup can help you cover up any lingering bruising so that you run errands without it being obvious that you have recently undergone surgery. If you are planning to debut your new neck contours at a big social event, Dr. Ahn suggests scheduling your surgery at least one month in advance to ensure most swelling has subsided by that point.  

Keep In Mind That All Patients Are Unique

While Dr. Ahn has outlined general timelines for his neck lift patients, he reminds you that all patients recover at their own pace, so nothing is set in stone. Depending on your age, health, and body’s ability to heal, you may recover more slowly or quickly than the average patient. The good news is that Dr. Ahn has mastered advanced techniques that not only help to make the recovery period shorter, but also produce better, more natural-looking results.

To schedule a consultation to learn more about neck lift and other neck rejuvenation options from a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, please call The Aesthetic Wellness Center at (508) 426-8622.