NECK LIFT IN ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

ALSO OFFERING NECK LIFT FOR MORRIS & UNION COUNTIES

You may not realize that the look of your neck contributes to your overall appearance. A smooth, tight neck can make you look years younger than you actually are. On the other hand, sagging neck skin, excess fat on your neck or the appearance of “bands” across your neck can make you look years older than your actual age.

If you suffer from loose skin that hangs off your neck, also known as the dreaded “turkey wattle,” stubborn fat deposits on your neck or weakened neck muscles that contribute to the look of bands across your neck, you may be a good candidate for neck lift surgery with Essex County plastic surgeon Dr. Erwin Bulan.

WHAT CAUSES “TURKEY WATTLE” AND NECK BANDS?

As we age, our body produces less collagen and elastin, proteins that are essential to healthy, young-looking skin. When this happens, skin loses elasticity and may start to sag, leading to the appearance of a “turkey wattle” under the chin. Losing a substantial amount of weight can also lead to lax, drooping skin. Unfortunately, simple genetics can cause the skin on the neck to look undesirable, too. In addition, weak neck muscles can affect the look of horizontal bands across the neck.

NECK LIFT TYPES AND COMBINATIONS

Fortunately, Dr. Bulan performs neck lift surgery to correct these issues. You no longer have to put up with a turkey wattle or neck bands! There are two basic types of neck lift surgery: cervicoplasty and platysmaplasty. With cervicoplasty, Dr. Bulan removes excess skin from the neck to give you a smoother contour. With platysmaplasty, he alters or possibly removes neck musculature to improve the look of neck bands.

Of course, Dr. Bulan can also combine the two procedures, or perform liposuction as an adjunct to neck lift surgery to remove excess fat in the area, further contouring the neck. Also, many patients undergo neck lift in combination with facelift, brow lift, eyelid surgery or another plastic surgery procedure to enhance the rejuvenating effect of cosmetic surgery.

NECK LIFT SURGERY DETAILS

Before beginning neck lift surgery, Dr. Bulan administers anesthesia, so you are completely comfortable during surgery. Generally, it takes Dr. Bulan two to three hours to perform neck lift. If you are combining neck lift with another procedure, the duration of surgery will vary accordingly.

To start surgery, Dr. Bulan makes an incision in the treated area. The length and position of your incision depend on your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals for surgery. For example, Dr. Bulan makes incisions for platysmaplasty under your chin and behind your ears, so he can access the neck muscles. He may also use permanent internal stitches to hold the tissue in place during this procedure. The incisions may differ for cervicoplasty.

After making the incision, Dr. Bulan adjusts the neck muscles as necessary, removes excess skin and performs liposuction if agreed upon during a pre-operative appointment. Once he is satisfied with the new contour of your neck, he closes any incisions with sutures before dressing the treated area with bandages.

NECK LIFT RECOVERY AND RESULTS

Patients typically need a week of rest and relaxation before they can return to work and normal activities. Lay down and sleep with your head elevated so the blood continues to flow to your neck. Please take the pain medication prescribed to you by Dr. Bulan as necessary to alleviate any post-surgery discomfort. You should also wear the neck bandage provided to you by Dr. Bulan as often as possible to help keep the neck skin in place and help prevent infection.

Monitor yourself for excessive bleeding or pain, as well as fever. If any of these symptoms arise, please seek prompt medical attention.

To accelerate the healing process, you may use an ice pack to reduce the swelling. Be aware that your final results are not likely to be visible for several months as your neck continues to heal. An expertly performed neck lift can produce results that will last 10 to 15 years. While neck lift reverses the signs of aging, it does not stop aging altogether, so over time your neck skin will start to sag and wrinkle again.

NECK LIFT FAQS

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FACELIFT SURGERY AND NECK LIFT?

Patients are often confused about the differences between facelift and neck lift, and with good reason: facelift incorporates elements of neck lift into the procedure to reduce signs of aging on the neck, while also addressing the lines and wrinkles that settle on the lower portion of the face. Ultimately, it is up to you whether you think you benefit most from a neck lift or facelift; with advice from Dr. Bulan, you can determine which approach is right during a consultation.

AT WHAT AGE SHOULD I SEEK NECK LIFT SURGERY?

Technically, there is no one “right” time to get neck lift. While everyone is different, most patients do not develop significant signs of aging until they are closer to age 40. If you do wait until your 50s or later to get neck lift, keep in mind that the surgery is not likely to have your neck looking like it did in your 20s. On average, neck lift takes about five to 10 years of off your appearance, though results may vary.

DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT SCARRING?

Scarring is a natural part of plastic surgery procedures, but choosing an expert surgeon like Dr. Bulan ensures that scar visibility will be minimal. He often makes his incisions along the hairline so they can be concealed more easily. With neck lift specifically, the scars usually heal well enough that they fade out of plain sight in approximately a year. Up until that point, you may use makeup to better hide the scar.

IS IT APPROPRIATE TO PAIR NECK LIFT WITH ANOTHER SURGERY?

Many patients will opt for multiple procedures at once to make their transformations appear more uniform and to have the added benefit of running the recovery times concurrently. Facial surgeries that address the top half of the face like blepharoplasty or brow lift are particularly popular since they add balance by removing years from the appearance of the top half of the face at the same time the lower part of your face is being improved. If you are interested in multiple procedures, please discuss it with Dr. Bulan during a consultation to see if combining procedures is right for you.

LESS INVASIVE NECK CONTOURING OPTIONS

During consultation, Dr. Bulan evaluates your individual physique and aesthetic concerns, and recommends an appropriate treatment plan. You may be a suitable candidate for a less invasive approach to neck lift, such as laser liposuction to improve the jaw contour as it transitions to the neck. There are even non-surgical neck tightening treatments such as the Alma radiofrequency skin tightening that maybe more desirable for patients who can’t afford the recovery downtime.

Dr. Bulan may also recommend BOTOX injections instead of neck lift surgery or as an adjunct treatment to surgery. BOTOX injections can relax the neck musculature that is responsible for the appearance of neck bands in milder cases.

Only an experienced plastic surgeon such as Dr. Bulan can properly assess your individual situation and surgical goals, and make a qualified recommendation as to the appropriate course of treatment. Be sure to discuss your aesthetic desires in detail with Dr. Bulan during consultation, so he can outline a treatment protocol that will best suit your needs.

SCHEDULE A NECK LIFT PROCEDURE

To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Bulan, contact Bulan Plastic Surgery by calling (973) 467-9744 now. The sooner you schedule an appointment with Dr. Bulan, the sooner you can say goodbye to your turkey wattle and neck bands!