Face and Neck Lift

What are the types of face and neck lifts performed? Do I need both?

Dr. Barry

During your comprehensive consultation with Dr. Barry, he will discuss the best options to meet your needs. Dr. Barry does a SMAS facelift which involves SMASectomy and SMAS plication along with Platysmaplasty addressing the central and lateral platysma bands. The neck is an often overlooked and forgotten area of the body when it comes to cosmetic procedures and treatments, but it is a great indicator of age and can display some of the things we wish to improve with surgery, such as deep lines, “tech neck,” and excess skin.

Who is a good candidate for a face and neck lift?

We want you to have the best possible results with the fewest potential risks. Safety for our patients is always our number one priority so we require some goals to be met before scheduling surgery:

• A BMI, or body mass index, of 30 or less
• No smoking for 4-6 weeks prior to surgery and no smoking 4 weeks after surgery
• Pausing any Semaglutide/GLP-1/Tirzepatide for 2 weeks prior to surgery
• Off any prescription blood thinners: Coumadin, Xarelto, Elliquis, etc.  (`May require cardiologist permission to proceed)
• Discontinuing aspirin and NSAIDs before surgery
• Discontinuing herbal supplements that increase bleeding risk
• Ensuring blood pressure is adequately controlled if hypertensive.

Why do we consider BMI an important qualifier for surgery?

After careful review of the literature and our own results over the last decade, we have found that patients with a body mass index (BMI) less than 30 have a significantly lower risk of post operative complications with face and neck lift surgery and other body contouring surgeries than those whose BMI is higher than 30. As a result, we use this benchmark for most patients realizing that there are sometimes exceptions to almost any rule. Being at a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet are just a few things that you can do to optimize your end result.

What is the recovery like with a face and neck lift?

While each recovery is unique patient to patient, we usually recommend 1-2 weeks of social downtime with the typical full recovery period of 4-6 weeks. During the first 2 weeks after surgery, most patients will find that the swelling and bruising are the most noticeable and the bruising may even migrate to the lower parts of the neck and chest due to gravity, which pulls the blood downward. There may also be a need to insert small drains to help excess fluid from building up. At around the 14 day mark, most patients experience a decrease in swelling, but still have lingering bruises. Many patients  may return to work at this point, but it is still important to limit vigorous exercise, heavy lifting, and modify some daily routines. At around the one month mark after the surgery, it will be difficult to for anyone to tell that a surgery has been performed, however you may still experience very slight swelling, numbness, and the sensation of tightness. Dr. Barry will call to check on his patient the night of their surgery, see them for a follow-up the next day after surgery, see them for a one week, one month, and three month, 6 month, and one year follow-up, and anytime in between if needed by the patient.

What is the importance of having healthy skin on the face and neck prior to surgery?

Medical grade skincare products and skin resurfacing treatments are a beneficial compliment to face and neck lift to produce the best results. All of Dr. Barry’s face and neck lift patients will have a complimentary consultation at our MedSpa to help them achieve healthy skin.