Phone: 425.285.2112
Fax: 425.803.0218
Kirkland Office
Everett Office

Neck Lift & Rejuvenation in Seattle

Also serving Bellevue, Kirkland, & Everett

For many Bellevue / Seattle neck lift patients, one of the first signs of aging is subtle looseness of the neck skin and underlying soft tissues.

As time passes, these changes progress and we often see “banding” of the neck muscles or possible even a “turkey gobbler neck” with skin, fat, and muscle laxity.

If severe enough, these changes can completely hide the natural contour one’s neck. Neck rejuvenation surgery can reverse these changes and restore that tight, well contoured neck line that you used to possess.

What structures normally support a youthful face and neck?

Most of these changes occur as a result of loss of the face and neck’s supportive structures, or in medical terminology, “ligaments”.

Ligaments act as “anchors” or “guy wires” for the facial soft tissues to the underlying skeleton. In the youthful face and neck, these “ligaments” are short and strong, and provide maximal support of the soft tissues.

As we age there is loss of ligament support and stretching of the neck and facial soft tissues which ultimately leads to sagging skin, muscle, and fat.

What can be done to reverse the changes of neck aging?

The good news is that Dr. Pratt, with his many years of experience performing neck rejuvenation surgery can help turn back the hands of time.

By skillfully placing sutures in strategic places throughout the face and neck, Dr. Pratt can help achieve tightening of the neckline, improve jowls, and reposition the soft tissues of the face and neck, resulting in incredible rejuvenation of the these areas.

Dr. Pratt’s main objective is to create a more rested and youthful appearing you. And most importantly, as you can see for yourself in viewing Dr. Pratt’s work, his goal is to achieve dramatic results while preserving a very natural look.

Overall, neck lift surgery can produce significant improvements in one’s appearance, and more importantly a noticeable boost in one’s self-confidence.

Am I a candidate for Neck lift?

The best candidates for neck lift surgery:

  • Non-smokers
  • Good physical and mental health
  • Have sagging facial and neck skin
  • Have jowls, loss of jaw line definition
  • Have good skin elasticity
  • Realistic expectations regarding achievable results

What other procedures can improve the appearance of my neck?

Neck aging can often be the result of prominent “neck banding” which results from the loss of support of the neck’s muscle sling called the platysma muscle.

Often, this particular sign of aging is isolated and is not accompanied by other facial aging. For Seattle / Bellevue neck lift patients bothered by isolated “neck banding,” there are two effective treatment options to choose from:

  • Cervicoplasty: also known as platysmaplasty, is a surgical procedure performed through a short incision made underneath the chin. During the procedure, any excess fat is removed and the loose neck muscles are tightened with strategically placed sutures. This technique depends on good skin elasticity in order to result in a tightly contoured neck. If the skin tone is poor, a face lift will produce a more satisfying result.
  • Botox: can be used to soften the “platysmal neck bands”. This medicine is injected directly into the muscle bands of the neck, resulting in a significant improvement of the banding effect when this muscle is tensed. Treatments typically last two to four months, thus maintenance injections must be repeated periodically. Over time however, the muscle will tend to atrophy and require less Botox per treatment.
  • Neck liposuction: can be used to sculpt the neck, as well as the chin, jaw line, and cheeks. Tiny incisions are made under the chin and behind the earlobes, and a miniature liposuction cannula is passed carefully through the fat just beneath the skin, resulting in thinning of this layer and improvement in the contours of the neck, chin, and cheeks, as well as improved jaw line definition. Neck liposuction is often utilized along with cervicoplasty in order to blend in the contours for a more natural result.

In order to address all of the facets of facial/neck aging and obtain optimal improvement, face and neck lifts are often performed in conjunction with other facial cosmetic surgery procedures, such as:

What type of anesthesia is used Neck Rejuvenation surgery?

For the patient’s maximum safety and comfort, the neck lift procedure is usually carried out under “twilight anesthesia” at our outpatient surgicenter or an area hospital. A sedative is administered intravenously to induce sleep.

Then the surgical area is then numbed with a local anesthetic. Following surgery, the long-acting numbing effect of the local anesthetic continues to provide comfort for the patient in the recovery period.

“Twilight anesthesia” has the benefits of providing adequate comfort for the patient, and rapid recovery, without the downsides of a general anesthesia, namely a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting, sore throat, and anesthesia hangover.

In certain cases however, such as when neck lift surgery is combined with more invasive procedures such as a rhinoplasty, general anesthesia may be used.

What is the procedure like?

During the procedure, the skin and soft tissues of the face and neck are gently lifted and repositioned to a more youthful position.

Because Dr.Pratt utilizes the latest techniques in face and neck lift surgery, the majority of the tightening of the face and neck will be in the deep tissues, and not in the skin.

This technique results in a relaxed and natural appearance of the facial and neck skin, thus avoiding an “over pulled look”.

Will my Neck Lift surgery leave scars?

Yes, because any time the skin is incised, a scar results. However, neck lift scars usually heal very well. The placement of the scars for a neck lift will vary with the technique used in your particular case.

Dr. Pratt will discuss which technique will suit you best and may advise you to participate in our Scar Reduction Program, depending on your skin type and history of scarring.

Recovery for Neck Lift Seattle / Bellevue Patients

Most Seattle / Bellevue neck rejuvenation patients will go home the day of surgery, although facilities for an overnight stay are available. Rest is the first order of business immediately after surgery.

Dressings and drains are removed a day or two following surgery. Bruising and swelling usually subside in three or four weeks. All sutures are self-dissolving.

Make sure to have loose clothing available, preferably items that don’t need to be pulled down over your head. You’ll need to keep your head elevated in a relaxed, comfortable position while the early healing takes place.

Enjoy this time of quietness, and allow yourself to heal for about two weeks before you resume any vigorous activity.

Why should I consider Dr. David F. Pratt to perform my Neck Rejuvenation procedure?

As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Pratt has many years of experience in performing neck rejuvenation procedures.

Since 1995, Dr. Pratt has used his artistic flair and exceptional skill to improve the lives of many facial cosmetic surgery patients, including Bellevue / Seattle brow lift and lip augmentation patients. His dramatic, yet natural-appearing surgical results certainly speak for themselves.

Dr. Pratt and his staff are passionate about cosmetic surgery, compassionate, and dedicated to patient education. Dr. Pratt’s utmost concern is the comfort and safety of each and every patient.

Our modern Seattle area offices offer a warm and friendly feeling, as well as the most recent advances and sophisticated technology available today.

I am interested, what do I do next?

There’s no need these days to suffer from an aging neck when you actually feel great inside. If you wish to improve the appearance of your face and neck region, Dr. David Pratt can assist you in achieving the look you’ve always wanted. His knowledge, training and experience, combined with his artistic flair, can help you obtain beautiful, long lasting, safe results.

So if face lift or neck surgery makes sense for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pratt to get all of your questions answered right away. Remember, Dr. Pratt has been serving the greater Seattle area since 1999 and has many happy and satisfied patients. Why not get started towards your new rested look today?

425.285.2112

10413 NE 37th Circle, Kirkland, WA 98033

4005 Colby Avenue, Everett, WA 98201

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