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Neck Rejuvenation: What Are My Options?
When considering how to refresh a person’s overall appearance, the face is a very popular starting point. More specifically, many patients start with the lower portion of the face including the neck area. Aging in the neck area can take many forms. It often takes an experienced plastic surgeon to recognize the specific symptoms and the underlying causes that contribute to that aging. Today, our experts thought it would be helpful to discuss some of our most commonly performed neck enhancement procedures and how they each are able to assist our patients in their own unique ways.
Neck Lift
As we age, one common sign of aging that many people experience is a separation of the platysma muscle in the neck. This muscle, which extends on each side from the upper part of the shoulder to the corner of the mouth, can create pronounced vertical bands in the neck. When combined with sagging skin, this can create what some people may refer to as a “turkey neck.” We perform neck lift surgery to repair this muscle, remove excess, sagging skin, and lift the remaining tissue to create a smoother and younger-looking neck. Scarring following a neck lift is minimal and can be easily hidden within the natural creases of the skin.
Facelift
For some people, the lower portion of the face (including the neck and jowls) can be a common area for lost volume, wrinkles, fine lines, furrows, and the sagging skin. Facelift surgery is a tried-and-true cosmetic surgery procedure designed to help rejuvenate the face by treating all these imperfections in one sitting. A facelift procedure involves the repositioning of tissue, the tightening of underlying muscles, and the removal of excess skin around your face and neck to give your face a tighter, more youthful look. During the procedure, tiny incisions are made, typically above the hairline at the temples, behind the earlobe, or near the lower scalp. In some cases, an additional incision can be made under the chin if the neck needs additional tightening. The procedure is popular with both men and women.
Neck Liposuction
The appearance of an excessively full or “double chin” can be incredibly frustrating. The accumulation of submental fat in the chin and neck area can even occur in cases where the person is otherwise at a healthy, stable body weight. For these patients, liposuction of the neck can help achieve a better defined, trimmer neckline. While liposuction cannot remove loose skin or repair damaged muscle, it is incredibly effective for patients who only experience excess fat in this area (typically younger patients with more skin elasticity). During surgery, tiny incisions are made beneath the chin or behind the ears, and fat is then removed using a device known as a cannula.
When performed by our expert plastic surgeons, a neck enhancement procedure can be an outstanding way to help patients of all ages look and feel younger once again. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery at one of our Atlanta, Cumming, Canton or Lawrenceville area locations. You can also follow along with us on Facebook and Twitter for additional plastic surgery tips, news, photos, and much more.
Hear Our Experts Answer Your Mommy Makeover Questions
Combining multiple plastic surgeries into one procedure is more common today than ever before. And mommy makeover surgery remains at the top of the list of most popular plastic surgery combinations. A mommy makeover, which combines different body contouring surgeries together, is intended to help women address multiple areas of their appearance. The result is comprehensive body enhancement with an added convenience that cannot be attained by undergoing these procedures separately. Today, our expert plastic surgeons at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, PC have taken some time to answer a few common questions about the mommy makeover and who specifically it may be able to help.
Question #1: If I’ve had blood clots in the past, does that mean I am ineligible for a mommy makeover?
Not necessarily. The health and safety of our patients is always our highest priority during any plastic surgery procedure that we perform. While blood clotting issues can obviously be serious, a history of blood clotting doesn’t automatically prevent someone from being a good candidate for a mommy makeover, or any other cosmetic procedure. It just means that some testing, as well as a possible visit to a hematologist, may be required first to confirm that you can safely undergo this surgery.
Question #2: Is 50 too old to undergo a mommy makeover?
Absolutely not. There is no specific “right” age to undergo a mommy makeover. A mommy makeover can be incredibly helpful for women of all ages, as long as our plastic surgeons are able to determine that the patient is a good candidate and is mentally and physically healthy enough to undergo the procedure. This is something we will discuss in more detail at the mommy makeover consultation appointment.
Question #3: How many procedures can I have done as part of a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover is meant to be highly customizable in order to fully address the needs of each specific patient. And while the procedure typically includes some combination of liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, and a cosmetic breast procedure, some women may be interested in additional add-on procedures like an arm lift. This is quite common after significant weight loss. However, in the spirit of safety (both during the procedure and during the recovery period), a mommy makeover should typically be completed in under 6 hours.
It’s always our pleasure to answer questions like these from patients. It’s incredibly important to us that procedures like mommy makeover surgery feel as inclusive and open to patients as possible. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery at one of our Atlanta, Cumming, Canton or Lawrenceville area locations. And don’t forget to follow along with us on Facebook and Twitter for additional plastic surgery tips, news, photos, and much more.
Do I Need a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?
Many patients may ask if a tummy tuck or if liposuction is the right cosmetic plastic surgery for them to give them a leaner, firmer stomach. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper and lower abdomen. The procedure also can tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall to give a tighter and flatter look. Liposuction is a procedure that removes excess fat between the skin and muscle using a suction tube inserted through a small incision. Let’s look at which procedure might be right for you.
Do I need a tummy tuck?
You could be a good candidate for the tummy tuck if you are in overall good health and in relatively good shape but have a stubborn pocket of abdominal fat that needs tightening. Women who have loose abdominal skin following pregnancy are also good candidates for a tummy tuck. However, women who plan to have more children should wait until they have finished childbearing before having a tummy tuck.
Do I need liposuction?
If one desires a less comprehensive procedure to reshape and contour the body, liposuction is commonly used to remove those stubborn “love handles” that seem to be unable to respond to diet and exercise. However, liposuction can also be used to remove fat from the neck, arms, knees, buttocks, chin, and legs. Although there are several liposuction procedures, the basic method involves inserting a thin tube (cannula) through a small incision in the skin to suction out the excess fat.
What about recovery?
Full recovery from a tummy tuck requires limiting strenuous activity and exercise for at least six weeks. You should also take at least two weeks off work to allow for proper healing and recovery. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions and attend all follow-up appointments.
Recovery from a liposuction procedure may take up to six weeks before the healing is complete and the bruising and swelling subside.
We’re always happy to help educate and reassure our patients. For more information on this topic and any other plastic surgery procedures we perform, schedule a consultation appointment today at Atlanta Plastic Surgery. We have offices in Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Northside/Sandy Springs, and Cumming/Forsyth area locations. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, photos, and much more.