Cervicoplasty, or neck lift surgery, is a procedure aimed at removing excess skin and fat from under the chin and tightening the muscles to improve the overall contour and profile. The goal is to tighten and reshape the neck, enhancing its appearance especially the profile appearance and helping to patients fit more comfortably into shirts.
A common reason for considering neck lift surgery is weight loss. While weight loss offers numerous health benefits, it often leaves behind loose skin, particularly on the neck. Mainly however a sagging neck is a function of age, being over 40 when gravity progressively takes over, the platysma muscles stretch and the neck tissues sags creating a “turkey” neck.
Sometimes a full neck occurs as a result of and excessive fat deposit under the chin giving a double chin appearance.
Dr. Richard Hamilton offers neck lift surgery aka Cervicoplasty for
patients with moderate skin excess and fatty deposits confined to the upper neck and under the chin. In younger patients without skin excess liposuction alone may be the answer. Often it is a combination of Cervicoplasty Neck Lift and liposuction.
If you are a man and concerned about the appearance of your neck and are considering a neck lift, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr.Hamilton via his Adelaide SA clinic to determine if this surgery is
right for you.
Initial consultation:
To proceed with neck lift surgery, you will need a referral from your GP, which includes a detailed letter of your medical condition. During your first consultation, Dr. Hamilton will take a comprehensive approach to assess your medical history, listening to your concerns carefully and evaluate whether cervicoplasty is a suitable option for you.
Dr. Hamilton will discuss the procedure in depth, including the techniques to be used. He will also discuss potential risks, expected recovery time, and the costs involved. Photographs may be taken to assist in planning the surgery. You will also receive detailed information on the surgery, anaesthesia, aftercare, and any potential complications.
Second consultation:
After reviewing the information from the first consultation and considering your options, you will meet Dr. Hamilton again for a follow-up consultation. Dr Hamilton will reassess your neck and then run through the details of the procedure again This is a chance to ask Dr Hamilton any additional questions and discuss the next steps. You will also meet with the Patient Advisor and Practice Nurse to go over surgical documentation and receive detailed pre- and post-operative care instructions.
At this point, if you decide to proceed, your surgery date will be
scheduled, and payment arrangements will be made, typically 7 days after the second consultation.
Hamilton House offers specialised neck lift (cervicoplasty) surgery for men concerned about loose neck skin or fullness under the chin, restoring a firmer, more defined jawline and neck profile.
Neck lift surgery is performed at Hamilton House Day Surgery in Adelaide under intravenous sedation or occasionally general anaesthesia, depending on your individual case. In certain instances, local anaesthesia may be perfectly appropriate for smaller procedures and is very safe.
Before surgery, Dr. Hamilton will mark the areas of excess skin and fat to be removed with a surgical marking pen to guide him during the procedure. Liposuction may be used initially to reduce fat in the area under the chin, followed by the excision of the excess skin at the front of the neck. Then the platysma muscles need to be tightened to achieve a more sculpted appearance. The wound is closed in several layers with a wavy like stitch line, and dissolving sutures are used when appropriate.
Surgical tape is applied to support the healing process.
Neck lift in men can be achieved without the need for undergoing a full face lift which is a considerable advantage in terms of recovery, return to normal activities and the type of anaesthesia required. In fact the face does not need to be modified at all. So all treatment is confined to the neck.
You will receive detailed written instructions for post-operative care. The surgical site must remain dry for the first 48 – 72 hours, after which you may shower. If a drain is used, it will be removed the day after surgery.
Swelling and bruising are common but typically resolve within a few weeks. Most normal activities can be resumed within just a few days.
You will return for follow-up appointments on the first post op day then at 3 days, 5 days, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks after surgery to monitor your healing and ensure that everything is progressing as expected.
The results of neck lift surgery are typically immediately noticeable once bruising and swelling subside or before. Cervicoplasty can significantly improve the contour of the neck, allowing patients to feel more comfortable in their clothing.
While the final results will take several months to become apparent, most patients find that after about 6 – 12 months, the scarring has faded to a fine, pale indiscernible line. Dr. Hamilton uses advanced techniques to place the scar along the skin crease lines, helping the scar blend with the natural lines of the body. As one of Adelaide’s most experienced plastic surgeons, Dr. Hamilton ensures that your results are as natural and aesthetically pleasing as possible.
All surgery carries some degree of risk, and outcomes can vary from patient to patient. Dr. Hamilton will provide you with a full understanding of the potential risks, complications, and expected results during your consultation.
Risks and Complications
Like all procedures surgery for Cervicoplasty caries potential risks and complications including:
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Wound Breakdown
• Scarring
• Incomplete Correction
• Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
• Nerve damage or numbness
Dr Hamilton will discuss these risks with you thoroughly during the consultation process to ensure you are fully informed before proceeding with surgery.
Dr Hamilton does not offer cervicoplasty treatment to massive weight loss patients where there is immense skin excess, as treatment in a hospital may be required.
Contact Dr. Richard Hamilton for a Consultation
For more information or to schedule your consultation, please contact Dr. Richard Hamilton’s team at 08 8272 6666.
Dr. Richard Hamilton, MBBS, FRACS
