Necklift / Mini-Facelift Surgery
In Portland, OR From Dr. John S. Lee M.D.
Necklift/Mini-Facelift
As an alternative to a traditional facelift Dr Lee also offers necklift surgery. Necklift surgery addresses the lower half of the face and neck. Sagging jowls and fat accumulation under the chin can be corrected by necklift surgery. The incisions for a necklift are shorter than a facelift, starting in the front of the earlobe and around behind the ear ending in the lower scalp. His technique to minimize visible scarring is to hide the incisions inside the ear so there is no scarring in front of the ear like you may see with other surgeons. The little visible scarring there fades with time. Patients should also understand and be prepared for the healing process, which will continue for several weeks beyond surgery. During that time, pain medication is usually required, and physical and social activity will be limited.
Dr Lee does complimentary fat injections as part of the necklift procedure. The fat injections can treat nasolabial folds ( area that extends from the nose to the corner of the mouth), the marionette lines (the area that extends from the corner of the mouth to the jawline) and the lips to give more fullness. Other cosmetic procedures commonly combined with necklift surgery include a brow lift and eyelid surgery.
What are realistic expectations for a Necklift or Mini-Facelift?
Necklift surgery can result in a more defined jawline and a smooth neck erasing neckbands. Necklift surgery also improves the whole lower face creating a more youthful appearance. Necklift surgery does not change skin texture and every wrinkle cannot be erased. Also, the aging process will continue after the surgery, meaning that even long-lasting results are not permanent. But we have often found that patients come back for a visit after 10 years and look better than ever!
Skin type and patient age influence the final results.
What is the process for a Necklift/Mini Facelift
To begin the journey you will meet with Dr. Lee for a free consult. His consult days are generally Tuesdays and Thursdays. Allow for about 40 minutes. During the consult Dr. Lee will listen to all your concerns, do a thorough examination, answer your questions and offer you his recommendations. You will also be given a written quote after the consult.
If you decide to move forward with surgery his scheduling staff will find you a surgery day and then a preoperative appointment about two weeks before the surgery date where you will meet with the nurse and go over pre and post op instructions, sign consents, get prescriptions and make your final payment.
Surgery will be done either on premises at our fully accredited surgery center, NW Plastic Surgery Center, where you will go under IV sedation, also known as twilight anesthesia or in some cases at CSS (Center for Specialty Surgery) an outside surgery center under general anesthesia. This will be decided at your consultation at the recommendation of Dr. Lee.
What is the recovery period for Necklift Surgery?
You will go home the same day as your surgery and then come back for a two day and then a one week post op appointment. Healing and follow up will continue. There will be bruising and swelling post operatively. Bruising usually take between 2-3 weeks to resolve but can be covered with heavy makeup at the 2 week mark. Swelling takes a little longer to be fully resolved. Dr. Lee recommends about three weeks optimally to be back out in the world looking fabulous.
Click on the link below to get inspired by viewing his before and after photo gallery
