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Neck lift

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ANESTHESIA

The patient is typically placed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation to ensure comfort throughout the surgery.

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Incision

Incisions are made in in discreet locations, strategically placed to minimize visible scarring.

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Incision closure

The incisions are closed using multiple layers of sutures to scarring.

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Bandages

The surgeon applies dressings and a supportive bandage or compression garment to the neck area.

Dr. Domanski is one of the few plastic surgeons in the country who has training in both otolaryngology and plastic surgery. Necklifts are a common plastic surgery procedure in Northern Virginia and Washington DC.

Many professionals look to tighten the jawline, restore youthful facial structure, improve saggy jowels, and obtain a youthful appearance. Necklifts may target certain effects of facial aging such as removing a double chin in the submental area or smoothing nasal labial folds with fat transfer.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROCEDURE

For a neck lift an incision is hidden in the hairline behind the ear. There is often an incision hidden underneath the chin. Liposuction is frequently done to improve the jawline. Neck rejuvenation is achieved by tightening facial muscles and removing extra skin. Incisions are closed using meticulous technique. Numbing medication is injected to minimize postoperative discomfort.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Domanski only operates in certified surgery centers. He also maintains hospital privileges for necklifts in several local hospitals.

A necklift procedure usually occurs in the following sequence:

Anesthesia: The patient is typically placed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation to ensure comfort throughout the surgery.

Incision Placement: Incisions are made in in discreet locations, strategically placed to minimize visible scarring. Common incision sites include:

  • Behind the earlobe: The incision begins at the hairline just above the ear and extends downward behind the earlobe.

  • Under the chin: In some cases, an additional small incision may be made under the chin to address excess fat and muscle laxity in the central neck area.

Subcutaneous Dissection: After the incisions are made, the surgeon carefully separates the skin from the underlying tissues in the neck region. This allows access to the underlying muscles and fat deposits.

Platysma Muscle Manipulation: The surgeon identifies the platysma muscles in the neck. These thin, flat muscles can become lax and form visible neck bands as a result of aging. The surgeon may perform the following techniques to address the platysma muscles:

  • Platysmaplasty: The surgeon tightens and repositions the platysma muscles by suturing them together in the midline or performing selective muscle tightening.

  • Muscle resection: In cases where the platysma muscles are severely lax, a portion of the muscle may be removed to improve neck contour.

Liposuction (if necessary): If excess fat is present in the neck area, the surgeon may perform liposuction to remove the excess fat deposits and sculpt the neck contour. This is typically done using a small, thin cannula to suction out the excess fat cells.

Skin Redraping and Excision: After addressing the underlying muscles and fat, the surgeon redrapes the skin over the tightened structures. Excess skin is carefully trimmed and excised to create a smoother and more youthful neck contour.

Closure: The incisions are closed using multiple layers of sutures to scarring.

Drains (if necessary): In some cases, the surgeon may place small drainage tubes under the skin to prevent fluid accumulation. These drains help reduce swelling and promote faster healing. They are removed as soon as the next day after surgery.

Dressings and Bandages: Following the procedure, the surgeon applies dressings and a supportive bandage or compression garment to the neck area. These aid in reducing swelling, provide support to the tissues, and assist in the healing process.

BENEFITS

Necklifts are a common plastic surgery procedure in Northern Virginia and Washington DC. Many professionals look to tighten the jawline, restore youthful facial structure, improve saggy jowels, and obtain a youthful appearance. Necklifts may target certain effects of facial aging such as removing a double chin in the submental area or smoothing nasal labial folds with fat transfer.

Dr. Domanski is one of the few plastic surgeons in the country who has training in both otolaryngology and plastic surgery. He is board certified in both fields, making him an expert in facial rejuvenation. Dr. Domanski’s philosophy is that facial cosmetic surgery is about making refinements where the sum is greater than the parts, leaving the patient with natural looking results. Everyone should notice, but nobody should know.

Here are some potential benefits of a neck lift:

Tightens loose and sagging skin: A neck lift can significantly improve the appearance of loose, sagging skin in the neck area. It targets excess skin that may have lost elasticity due to aging, weight loss, or other factors. By removing and tightening the skin, a neck lift can restore a more youthful and smoother neck contour.

Reduces the appearance of neck bands: Vertical neck bands, also known as platysmal bands, can develop as a result of aging and muscle laxity in the neck. A neck lift can address these bands by tightening the underlying muscles and reducing their visibility, resulting in a more toned and defined neck.

Defines the jawline: A well-defined jawline is a hallmark of a youthful and attractive appearance. A neck lift can help enhance the definition and contour of the jawline by removing excess fat and tightening the underlying muscles and tissues in the neck and jaw area.

Eliminates excess fat deposits: In some cases, a neck lift may involve liposuction to remove excess fat deposits in the neck area. This can further enhance the neck’s contour and result in a more streamlined appearance.

Improves overall facial harmony: The neck plays an essential role in framing the face. By addressing concerns in the neck area, a neck lift can contribute to better facial harmony and balance, creating a more balanced and youthful appearance.

Boosts self-confidence: The visible signs of aging in the neck area can have a significant impact on one’s self-esteem. A neck lift can help individuals feel more confident and comfortable with their appearance, allowing them to present themselves with renewed self-assurance.

CANDIDATES

An ideal candidate is in generally good health with extra skin in the neck. Dr. Domanski will frequently ask patients “What are the three things that you would like us to focus on the most.” At the first preoperative appointment, Dr. Domanski will review the candidate’s medical history and perform a pertinent physical examination, examining skin redundancy, platysmal bands, and other signs of aging. Preoperative photographs are used to help Dr. Domanski and the patient review goals and expectations. A custom treatment plan will be created. Some patients will benefit from additional procedures such as an eyelid lift, while other patients may find an option such as fillers and facial liposuction to fit their needs better.

The second preoperative appointment generally takes place 2 weeks before surgery. This appointment is spent confirming the goals of surgery, providing prescriptions, and reviewing postoperative instructions.

On the day of the procedure, Dr. Domanski reviews over the patient’s goals again. Surgical marking is performed in the preoperative holding area to confirm the areas of treatment. This way, patients are involved in their surgical plan along each step of the way.

RESULTS YOU CAN SEE

Before and after results of our procedures.

Before Image After Image

RECOVERY

Patients go home the same day. Dr. Domanski has a simple rule for his patients: the night after surgery, the patient is a princess. The princess does nothing. Everything is done for the princess! This minimizes stress on incision lines. This includes men.

If patients have drains, they are generally removed the next day in the office. Dr. Domanski uses meticulous suture technique which allows his patient to shower and get their incisions wet the day following surgery. In one week, patients may be able to cover any remaining bruising with makeup. Some patients can return to work in two days if they work from home. Others with in-person positions may return as soon as 10 days, depending on their work requirements.

FAQs

Yes. You can reproduce the effect of a facelift by putting your hands in front of your ears and pulling up and a little back. You can reproduce the effect of a neck lift by pulling back with your hands under your ears. Thus a facelift and a necklift are two related but different surgeries.

However, many patients who are candidate for necklifts would benefit from some tightening of their facial skin. There are many nuances to this discussion, and we look forward to explaining all your questions in person.

Yes, we hope so. We want patient’s friends to notice that they look more relaxed, less tired, and more youthful. We want our patients to look natural. Great plastic surgery is when everyone notices but nobody can tell.

A necklift lasts forever! However, the conveyor belt of time keeps moving. Most patients are happy with their necklifts even 30 years later. Others may choose to have a revision around the 10-to-20-year mark.

While a facelift and a neck lift are both cosmetic procedures that target signs of aging in the face and neck, they focus on different areas and address different concerns. Here are the key differences between a facelift and a neck lift:

  • Facelift: A facelift primarily targets the lower two-thirds of the face, including the cheeks, jawline, and nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth). It aims to address sagging or drooping skin, deep creases, jowls, and loss of volume in the mid-face region. During a facelift, the underlying facial tissues are repositioned, muscles may be tightened, and excess skin is removed to create a more youthful appearance.
  • Neck Lift: A neck lift, on the other hand, specifically focuses on the neck area. It addresses concerns such as loose or sagging skin, vertical neck bands, excess fat deposits, and the loss of definition in the jawline. A neck lift can provide a more sculpted and youthful neck contour. The procedure typically involves the removal of excess skin and fat in the neck, along with tightening the underlying muscles if necessary.
  • Combining Facelift and Neck Lift: In many cases, a facelift and a neck lift are performed together as a comprehensive approach to address aging in both the face and neck. This combination procedure is often recommended for individuals who have significant signs of aging in both areas and desire comprehensive rejuvenation. By addressing both the lower face and neck, a combined facelift and neck lift can provide harmonious and natural-looking results.

Why us?

With over 70 plastic surgeons in the area, patients choose Dr. Domanski because they trust him. We believe you will not find a more honest surgeon than Dr. Domanski.

“Be Yourself,
Everyone Else Is Taken.”

– Oscar Wilde

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