There are several types of neck lift corrections. From liposuction, which can remove the double chin, to correcting deeper sagging muscles in the neck. Because neck lifts can differ, there are also major differences in the recovery from the surgery.

When you have a neck lift done, your skin and neck need time to recover. We’re often asked what you can and cannot do after this procedure and how to promote recovery. Before the neck lift procedure, the plastic surgeon will inform you in detail about the recovery, risks and possible complications.

Wear marker bandages

After surgery, your neck will be bandaged with special marker tape. You may have some post-operative pain, especially if the muscle has also been tightened. You’ll be given a marker bandage to wear day and night for two weeks after surgery. This keeps swelling and fluid accumulation at bay and supports the scar. The bandage should only come off while showering and is easy to reattach. After two weeks, you wear the bandage at night to prevent any stress on the scar while sleeping.

Icing

To combat swelling, you may use a cold pack on the area. It’s important, however, to put something between the cold pack and the skin to protect it.

The first days after your neck lift

After surgery, you can usually go home the same day. We check that everything is fine with you and after our plastic surgeon’s approval, you may go home. In order to obtain the most MOOI result and speed up your recovery, we recommend the following: (Unless expressly stated otherwise by the plastic surgeon).

DON’T: MAKE CERTAIN MOVEMENTS

After surgery, you’ll find that certain movements really cannot (and should not) be done. For example, for the first few days you should not bend over, do not tilt your head back (look up) and heavy physical activities are out of the question. This will prevent too much stress on the healing wounds. Give your skin time to recover by maintaining bed rest for the first few days. You’ll find that after a few days you’ll start feeling better and better.

DON’T: DRIVE YOURSELF HOME

One thing you should not do immediately after surgery is get behind the wheel yourself. So make sure there is someone with you who can drive you home safely. Moreover, your neck and jaw will feel sore and tense, so you’ll prefer to move as little as possible.

DO: REST A LOT

The first few days after your neck lift you should take it easy. This applies to anyone who has had this surgery (major or minor). This means resting a lot and not doing (heavy) household chores such as laundry, vacuuming, etc. Is there someone who can cook delicious meals for you, help you get dressed and undressed or get up for you from time to time? It’ll be useful to have someone around who can help you. Resting does not mean lying in bed all day. Resting too much and too long is not good for your body either. Stretch your legs occasionally, even if it’s during a short walk from the toilet to the couch, but stick to short distances indoors.

DON’T DO IT RIGHT AWAY: SHOWERING AND BATHING

You should not shower for the first three days after surgery. Of course, you can freshen up your body with some warm water and a washcloth. However, you should not bathe for the first 6 weeks!

DO: TAKE PAIN MEDICATION

If you feel lousy or your face/jaw is painful, you may always take paracetamol and any additional painkillers prescribed by the doctor.

DON’T: SLEEP ON YOUR STOMACH OR SIDE

It probably won’t occur to you so soon after surgery, but for the first few weeks after your neck lift, you shouldn’t sleep on your stomach and side. Belly sleepers need to take a break. It’s best to sleep on your back with an extra pillow supporting your back so you can lie a little more upright.

DON’T: SMOKING

Definitely don’t! Smoking adversely affects blood flow to the tissues, which is precisely what’s important for proper recovery. We therefore recommend that you stop smoking weeks before and after treatment. It’s also better not to smoke after treatment. This accelerates the aging process and increases the risk of complications.

DON’T: DRINK ALCOHOL

Do not drink alcohol in the first week after treatment because of the risk of post-treatment bleeding.

Two weeks after your neck lift

After about 10 to 14 days you’ll feel a little better! However, your body is still recovering. Your neck and jaw may still be sensitive. Swelling and fluid accumulation are also still common. After two week, you come to MOOI Clinic for a check-up.

SUTURES

Two weeks after the treatment, you’ll come for a check-up at MOOI Clinic. Sutures are removed and new suture patches are applied. Scars may be red for the first few months but this will gradually fade. Do not expose scars to the sun; this can cause permanent discoloration. Hematomas rarely occur. The assistant will give you instructions on aftercare and/or massaging the scars.

Two weeks after your neck lift, you’re allowed to do a little more again, but by no means everything! Always consult with the plastic surgeon.

YOU MAY DO THIS AGAIN:

• Driving
• Depending on your occupation, you may start working again (not intensively)
• Walking and gentle movements
• If your recovery goes well, you’ll  be allowed to fly again after 2 weeks.  Consult with the physician beforehand.

YOU MAY NOT DO THIS YET:

• Putting too much tension on your face and neck (looking up or when bending over)
• Sports, including swimming (only after 6 weeks)
• Heavy lifting or physically strenuous work
• Tanning, sauna or tanning bed

Six weeks after your neck lift

After six weeks, you’re usually well recovered from the surgery. The swelling has gone down considerably, but some swelling here and there due to fluid accumulation is normal. You may also still feel numbness in your neck. That will go away in the coming weeks. Your scars are healed but still red, however they are barely visible because in most cases they run behind the ear toward the jaw. Most people can fully resume their normal lives after 6 weeks. You get to bathe, use a sauna and sleep the way you want again.

DO: SPORTS

Exercise is good for your body and after all those weeks of not exercising, maybe it’s time to do something about your fitness again. Fortunately, after 6 weeks, you can return to sports. You can start doing fitness, swimming, cycling, running, if it feels good and you experience no pain. When in doubt, consult with your doctor before you begin exercising.

Final check-up and result

After about 3 months, you’ll  come to MOOI Clinic for a final check-up. The periods of recovery mentioned are averages and can vary greatly from person to person. You reach the final result sometime between 4 and 6 months after surgery.

Do you have any doubts about your situation, as to whether or not you should be allowed to do something? Then contact us!