If you are planning on getting a neck lift done, you should prepare yourself for the recovery process. Here’s what you need to know.
You’ve been wanting to do it for years. You’re sick of looking in the mirror at the excess skin and fat under your chin, and you’ve finally committed to it – you’ve scheduled your neck lift surgery.
First of all, congrats! The first step is often the toughest to take. Now what?
You probably have questions about the recovery process. How long does the healing process take? How many days will I need to take off work? When will I see the final results?
Keep reading for everything you need to know about neck lift recovery.
Neck Lift Recovery. What to Expect
The Day of Your Neck Lift Surgery
The neck lift surgery itself takes approximately one and a half hours; you’ll need to plan on being there ahead of time for prep. Since it’s an outpatient procedure, you’ll also need to arrange a ride back home after the surgery.
You’ll likely be under twilight or general anesthesia. When you wake up from your neck lift, you’ll be groggy and should have somebody stay with you overnight to help monitor you and keep an eye on you.
The Day After
This is when the real neck lift recovery begins. You may have been sent home with a tight bandage around your neck and/or a tube attached for fluid drainage. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for these.
It’s also important to keep your head elevated above your heart while you’re recovering from a neck lift. This includes sleeping with your head propped up with pillows in your bed or sleeping in a chair.
The first day after your cosmetic surgery is usually the most uncomfortable for patients; you might feel emotional and discouraged about the pain. Your doctor will provide you pain medication to take as needed.
Days Two & Three After Neck Lift Surgery
From now on, the days will hopefully get easier. You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your doctor where they will remove the drain and the bandages and, if needed, will redress the wound.
We can’t stress enough how important rest is for your neck lift recovery. A lot of people try to do too much, too soon. Even if you’re feeling better by day three, it’s still too early for strenuous activity. You can move around a bit more, but don’t overdo it.
By day three, the bruising and swelling from your neck lift will likely be at their worst. Continue to take pain medications as prescribed by your doctor. The pain and swelling will get worse if you do too much activity, so take it as a warning sign from your body.
End of the First Full Week
By now, the swelling and bruising from your neck lift surgery should start to go down and you’ll begin to feel a bit more energetic. Some light housework and maybe a short walk are fine, but you’ll still need to take it easy.
If you’re active in sports, expect at least three weeks before you can resume your normal physical activity.
Second Week of Neck Lift Recovery
Time heals all wounds, right? The second week will probably be the best you’ve felt since before plastic surgery, but don’t be fooled – your body is still in the healing process.
You’ll still have some visible bruising and swelling, and it’s even possible to have some numbness or tingling. You may also feel a tight feeling in your neck for several months – all of these things are perfectly normal.
By the second week, the swelling will go down. You should be able to start to see the results of your neck lift. Of course, this isn’t the time to fully evaluate your cosmetic surgery just yet, but some results should start to show. Recovery and results will vary from one person to another.
At this point, some people elect to go back to work. Depending on your job duties and your own personal recovery time, you’ll need to make the choice that’s right for you. If you’re not sure, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor.
Third Week
By now, your doctor has probably taken out your stitches (this can happen anywhere between the end of week one and end of week three). Aside from some residual swelling, you should really be able to see some positive results from your neck lift surgery.
It’s also a safe bet that you can return to physical activities and sports if you’re feeling up to it. Your incision site will still be a bit pinkish in color but, at this point, it shouldn’t be too outwardly obvious that you had plastic surgery.
Fourth Week After Cosmetic Surgery
You’ve reached the end of the first month after your neck lift surgery. At this point, you should be fully back to regular activities including work and sports. Of course, monitor your body carefully – if it’s too much, your body will tell you to slow down.
It’s possible that you’ll still have some tightness and even minor swelling and bruising, but it will probably only be obvious to you, so you can go out in public without feeling self-conscious about your neck lift surgery.
It’s Time to Love Your New Neck
Whatever your reasons for having neck lift surgery, the main goal is to boost your confidence and love how you look.
Take time to allow yourself to fully heal, and remember that every human being is different – the above timeline is just a basic overview. The neck lift recovery process will be unique for every person.
Is a neck lift surgery something that you’re interested in? Give us a call for a consultation at (402) 391-4558. Any of our professionals will be happy to help you!
