A neck lift is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries used to remove signs of aging. As you get older, the skin around your neck loses its elasticity, leading to sagging skin with excessive fat tissues and wrinkles. All of these cumulative signs of aging leave you with deep jowls, sagging and wrinkled skin, and excess skin tissues. A neck lift removes that excess skin and fatty tissue, tightening your skin to give you a more youthful and contoured appearance.
However, the biggest concerns patients tend to have about the neck lift procedure relate to its recovery period. If you’re considering a neck lift, you might wonder what you can expect during the recovery period and how soon you’ll be able to flaunt your gorgeous and more youthful self. In this article, we take you through a day-by-day overview of your neck lift recovery journey.
Recovery Day 1
Neck lifts are usually outpatient procedures that conclude within a few hours. As such, your recovery journey will start on the day of the treatment. You will be monitored in the hospital for a few hours after the neck lift surgery to ensure you don’t have a reaction to the anesthesia or surgery. Once it’s clear that your body doesn’t have an adverse reaction to the neck lift, you’ll be discharged. You should have someone else drive you home. This is a good time to carefully, lightly, apply ice packs intermittently, without leaving them on your skin for too long or when potentially about to doze off.
Recovery Day 2
The lingering effects of the anesthesia and sedatives will wear off by the second day. That’s when you’ll start feeling the soreness in your face, which is normal and expected from all surgeries. Take your medications and painkillers, as directed by the doctor, and avoid exercises or activities. Make sure that your face doesn’t rest against the pillow or mattress while sleeping, and keep your head elevated above your heart’s level.
Recovery Days 3 to 7
You will have a follow-up appointment scheduled for some time during the week. When you return for your appointment, your cosmetic surgeon will examine how the recovery is progressing. Other than that, you should continue resting, relaxing, and taking your medications, as directed by the doctor. You’ll also have to change your bandages regularly, and should remain at home and avoid strenuous activities.
Recovery Weeks 1 to 2
If you have a desk job that doesn’t require active movements, you can return to work after one week. However, you may still have some lingering swelling and bruising, so take it easy and don’t push yourself to resume work if you’re not ready. You should continue eating well and avoid stress. You must also remember that the recovery timeline varies for different people. If you feel like you’re still not ready to move about, continue relaxing at home.
Recovery Weeks 2 to 6
Any remaining or lingering swelling and the last of any bruising will gradually recede over the first six weeks, and you can slowly resume most or all of your daily activities.
Post-NeckLift Recovery Tips
The following are some neck lift recovery tips to ensure your recovery procedure is smooth-sailing and without complications:
- Have someone around for the first few days to drive you around and help you around the house. At this point, it’s important not to do anything, so you’ll need some help.
- Only take medications prescribed by the doctor. Don’t take over-the-counter painkillers without consulting your doctor first.
- You can use a cold compress and ice to reduce swelling.
- Keep your head elevated while lying down.
- Sleep on your back and make sure your head doesn’t touch the pillow or mattress.
- Avoid hot showers and steam baths for the first two weeks.
- Avoid exposure to the sun for a few months after the procedure.
Should you have any questions or concerns, we are always here for you. Please do not hesitate to call. You will also be given post-operative instructions and have the opportunity to get answered any and all questions you may have before and after the procedure.