The skilled physicians at the Duke Aesthetics Center in Durham, North Carolina, are experts in cosmetic enhancements, including neck lift procedures.

A neck lift is performed to improve the contour of the neck and create a more attractive, angular neckline by removing fatty accumulation under the neck skin and tightening the deeper muscle layer.

Procedure Details

The procedure is a limited facelift where the emphasis is only on the neck, not the cheeks or jowls. Surgery of the neck is performed through incisions around the ears and through tiny incisions under the chin.

When there is a good deal of extra skin, it needs to be removed as part of the lift. This placement of the incisions permits hiding the scars behind the ears.

This outpatient procedure typically takes two to three hours.

Recovery

At first, your features may be distorted from swelling, and facial movements may be somewhat stiff. Bruising may persist for several weeks.

You can typically return to work after two weeks. Rest and application of cold compresses for 24 hours after surgery, followed by gradual resumption of daily activities is recommended.

How Long Will the Results Last?

The results of a neck lift can last five to 10 years. While you will always look younger than if you had not had a neck lift, the aging process will continue.

Risks

Complications of a neck lift include:

• Hematoma (pooling of blood under the skin that must be surgically removed)
• Infection
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Poor healing of the skin (more common with smokers)
• Hair around temples may be thin
• Skin may feel dry for several months
• Men may find they must shave behind neck and ears, where areas of beard-growing skin have been repositioned

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Hollenbeck, Scott T.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery
• Woodard, Charles R.
  • Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• Zenn, Michael R.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Aesthetic Center
  3475 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705