Neck Lift Aftercare Considerations

A neck lift is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance and rejuvenate the appearance of your neck. This surgery can remove excess skin and repair neck muscles, and paired with the addition of Botox treatments and liposuction, give you a smooth neck and jawline. A complete upgrade to your facial contour!

It’s easy to either forget about recovery when preparing for surgery or feel intimidated by all of the aftercare involved. For this reason, we talked to our team of experts and gathered valuable information to make you feel better prepared for your upcoming neck lift surgery. We’ll go over what to expect after the surgery, what a basic neck lift recovery timeline looks like, how long you need to recover, aftercare instructions to encourage a smooth recovery, as well as before and after photos.

Neck Lift Recovery Time: What to Expect

There are two main approaches to your neck lift surgery, depending on what you need. Your surgeon can either perform a platysmaplasty if you need to repair or remove neck muscles; he or she can also perform a cervicoplasty if you need excess skin removed. Your neck lift recovery with either approach will be very similar, except for the incision pattern your surgeon uses. Before examining how long the neck lift recovery process takes, it’s important to keep in mind that the exact time the healing process will take varies. Your neck lift recovery time is specific to you.

Neck Lift Surgery Recovery Time

First 7 days after neck lift surgery. The first 7 days after the neck lift surgical procedure are the most uncomfortable for patients. Since this surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, you’ll be able to recover in the comfort of your own home or our recovery boutique. You’ll leave the clinic with stitches and compression bandages which you’ll have to change periodically, following the doctor’s instructions to minimize swelling. During this first week, enlist help from a friend or a family member to do basic tasks such as cooking, house cleaning, and changing your clothes. The first few days you must keep your head elevated at all times to minimize swelling – even when you’re sleeping.

24 to 48 hours after surgery you might see swelling, redness, and bruising appear in the treated area. These are all normal symptoms that begin to subside about a week after surgery. You’ll go home with oral pain medication to help with pain or general discomfort. By the end of week 1, most patients report feeling increasingly comfortable and with less pain.

Week 1 after neck lift surgery. After the first week has passed you’ll start to feel much better. At this stage, swelling and general pain become minimal. Your doctor can remove your stitches at this point and you can slowly return to your daily routine. You still have to ‘take it easy’ and rest a lot, but general tasks will become easier and feel normal again.

Week 2 after neck lift surgery. If we could name this stage of your facelift recovery, we’d call it ‘almost there’. Days 7-14 are when you’ll experience the most significant improvement. Swelling, bruising, tightness, and numbness will practically disappear. At the end of week 2, you’ll probably feel like yourself again, feel confident with your appearance, and return to work. The final results of neck lift surgery are fully visible months after surgery, but at the end of week 2, you’ll be able to appreciate an amazing improvement in your neck. Physical activity is still limited at this time and you will need to avoid strenuous exercise, but you can do light exercise such as walking.

1 month after neck lift surgery. As you near the 30-day mark, you’ll see how any residual swelling and tightness disappear. At this moment, you’ll be able to see a real improvement in your neck. Your doctor will let you know exactly when you can go back to exercising as usual and any extra precautions you need to take. At this point, a few weeks after the cosmetic surgery, you’ll be able to appreciate the full results: no more sagging, deep wrinkles, horizontal bands, etc.

Neck Lift Recovery Tips and Instructions

Managing your pain. If you feel more than uncomfortable after your surgery, call your doctor to get stronger pain medication. Do not jeopardize your recovery by self-medicating.

Stock up on medical supplies. Make a list, with the help of your surgeon, of all the essentials you might need: from ibuprofen to compression bandages and wraps. Have everything ready to make your recovery stress free!

Prepare your home and family for your recovery. Talk to your family about supporting you during the recovery period. It’s highly likely that you’ll feel sleepy and uncomfortable at first, so enlist extra help if needed. Arrange your room with fluffy pillows to keep your head elevated and have comfy pajamas ready.

Neck Lift Recovery Pictures

If you are curious about neck lift results, here’s a look at some of VIDA’s patients before and after pictures.  

The recovery period after neck and lower facelift lift surgery is as important as the surgery itself. To clear your doubts, ask more questions and plan your neck lift, contact VIDA Wellness and Beauty Center by calling (619) 738-2144 and schedule a one on one consultation with a Board Certified plastic surgeon.