So you have a face and a body of a 30 year old, but your neck is starting to betray you. You woke up one day and you notice that what was once your smooth, sexy neck starts to develop some vertical lines and your once defined chin now shows some extra skin.
According to NHS , it is completely natural for our body parts to not age evenly and that problems usually show up most where the skin is thinner, such as on the hands, neck and cleavage. They also said the skin on the neck is particularly thin, making it less elastic and more fragile. This area of the skin may also be more susceptible to sun damage and stretching and creasing, therefore it agedermatologistss faster.
Since we can’t keep wearing turtle necks that will hide our aging neck, there will come a point when we will need to take a step and meddle with the hands of time.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS TO IMPROVE YOUR NECK in Thailand?
The approach that Prof. Kunachak will recommend depends upon the condition of the skin and the desired result of the patient. Usually, full neck lift is only required for patients with significant amount of lose skin and neck muscles. For those showing just minimal skin laxity, other methods such as Radiofrequency, Thermage, Threadlift, Springlift, other laser treatments or other non-surgical options in Thailand may be prescribed.
Botox is still one of the most effective options for early stages of neck sagging, however, there will come a point when trimming the skin with neck lift may be the only possible solution.
Moreover, for patients with double chin or blunt chin-neck angle, neck lift maybe the only way to obtain a sharper chin-neck angle that characterizes youth.
HOW IS NECKLIFT SURGERY PERFORMED?
Neck lift is usually performed under general anesthesia and the surgery typically lasts for 2-3 hours with the incision typically placed behind the ear.
Neck Lift is also usually done in combination with liposuction for patients with fat deposits under the chin, or it can also be done with facelift surgery. If the neck muscles have also weakened, Prof. Somyos Kunachak may recommend Platysmaplasty. In this procedure, our surgeon will make an incision under the patient’s chin and/or behind the patients’ ears to access the platysma (neck muscle) and manipulate it accordingly. Our surgeon will then permanently suture areas of the muscles in order to clasp them in the best position. This technique is otherwise known as “Neck Contouring” wherein all the subcutaneous fat and subplatysmal fat are removed while the platysma muscle is tightened along with the removal of excess skin.
If combined with liposuction on the underchin, a small incision will also be placed on the sub-mental region to make way for the insertion of the liposuction cannula. If the skin still has good elasticity, it will simply conform to the neck's new shape without removal of skin excess skin otherwise, the skin will need to be pulled further but not to far as to look unnatural.
From the same incision, patients who would like to improve their jaw contour may also elect to undergo chin augmentation to give more emphasis to the jaw line. This combination procedure can significantly improve the patient’s facial profile.
The number of procedures will change the amount of time needed for the surgery and the exact technique that will be used for the whole procedure.
What can you expect after surgery?
Like all other surgical procedures, neck lift will cause bruising, swelling, and a little pain or discomfort on the surrounding areas, which will resolve in a week or two. Drains may be placed if the procedure will involve facelift as well but for plain neck lift, no drains are usually needed. Suture removal is typically done 7-10 days after the surgery but that will also depend on the condition of the incision site.
Once the swelling and bruising has gone down in 4-6 weeks, patients who had undergone the procedure can expect a tighter, younger looking neck area with lesser lines. Since the incision sites will be hidden, scarring does not pose a serious risk, however, it is still highly advisable to keep the area clean and dry for proper wound healing.
Patients who had done neck lift in our facility are required to stay in Bangkok for at least 7 days after the surgery for proper observation and recovery.
WHAT CAN WE OFFER?
In addition to quality cosmetic services, we also offer a whole package of accommodation from our nearby hotel, Aphrodite Inn, which sits adjacent to our facility with a connecting door on the 2nd floor for patient privacy. The 2nd floor of Aprodite Inn was also converted to suit the needs of our patients, pre and post-operatively. Each room is equipped with mechanical beds, with hotel quality mattresses, and oxygen outlet for patients who just had surgery. Medical equipments and emergency apparatuses are also within reach from the rooms so there will be no need to worry about recovery.
Prof. Somyos Kunachak and the rest of our team also pays visit to all patients staying in the nearby hotel every day. Patients who are staying with a companion also enjoy the privilege of sharing the room with them as part of their surgical package.
We also make arrangements for tours and transportation depending on the client need.