Procedure Spotlight
- Improves the contour and look of the neck
- Tightens neck muscles and removes excess fat & skin
- Very effective in removing excess skin under the chin
- Simpler procedure than full neck lift making recovery much quicker and costs less
A Direct Excision Neck Lift is particularly effective in getting rid of the excess skin that can be present under the chin (commonly known as double chin or turkey neck) that many people are concerned about. This procedure does not improve the jowls and lower face.
A direct neck lift is simpler than a full neck lift and has less potential complications, although it does leave a central scar on the neck. In saying that, because the scar is in a relatively hidden area and is not commonly associated with cosmetic surgery, patients that have had this procedure have not been concerned about the scar.
It fades over time and becomes barely noticeable in most patients.
Technique
Dr Safvat removes excess skin by cutting it out from the middle section of the neck with a Z-like cut (this allows for better healing and a better positioned scar afterwards). The platysma muscle is also tightened before Dr Safvat uses intricate suture techniques to close the incision and ensure the scar is as minimal as possible.
Procedure Snapshot
| Anaesthetic Type: | General Anaesthetic |
| Length of Surgery: | 2-3 hours |
| Stay in Hospital: | Day only |
| Downtime: | 1 week |
Recovery
The direct excision neck lift is usually a day-only procedure, done in a hospital in Sydney or the Southern Highlands. You will have some mild pain and possibly some swelling and bruising after the surgery. You will be able to return to work after 4-5 days (depending on the type of work you do) however, you will need to avoid strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks. You will be required to wear a surgical garment for 1 week after the surgery.
If you follow scar management advice, the scar will fade over time and usually by the 12 month mark it will not be that obvious.
Preparation
Smoking and being overweight have been shown to cause significant complications after direct excision neck lift surgery. Dr Safvat will insist that you stop smoking a minimum of 3 weeks prior to your surgery and lose as much excess weight as possible. Ideally you should be in the normal BMI range before your surgery. Also, weight gain after the surgery can affect the results of your direct excision neck lift, so it is best to be at your ideal weight when you have the surgery. You may have to stop certain medications such as blood thinners or some herbal medicines. Dr Safvat will discuss this with you during consultation.
Scars
There is no way to prevent scars completely after surgery and everyone can scar differently. However, the techniques Dr Safvat uses to suture his wounds are designed to minimise scarring. Also, it is important to note that any scarring will fade over time, especially if they are cared for correctly.
Dr Safvat will provide you with his specific Scar Management Protocol that will help you protect and care for your incisions in a way that will minimise scarring. Patients who have followed Dr Safvat’s protocol for scar management diligently have been very pleased with their progress in reducing and fading of scars.
Dr Safvat will also include LED Light Therapy sessions (available in Miranda only) which will assist with wound healing, scarring and recovery.
Complications
While all care and diligence is taken by Dr Safvat to minimise or avoid complications, any surgical procedure can be associated with some general complications and/or specific complications related to the surgery you are having. Choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon such as Dr Safvat and having your procedure done in an accredited hospital minimises risks, as does using accredited Anaesthesist.
Some general surgical potential complications are:
• Infection that may require antibiotics (Dr Safvat prescribes all patients antibiotics after surgery to minimise this risk).
• Fluid build-up under the skin (seroma).
• Allergic reaction to dressings and other items used during the procedure.
• The formation of blood collection (haematoma) which could require additional surgery.
• Scars heal differently in different people. Some people are genetically prone to develop keloid scars. Hypertrophic scars develop when there is a complication in the healing process. Whilst not ideal, there is no threat to your health if you develop these.
• Anyone can have a heart attack or stroke from a clot. This risk is slightly increased with anaesthetics.
Most patients undergoing Direct Excision Neck Lift will not experience complications, however it is important that all patients have enough information to weigh up the benefits and risks of surgery. The following are some possible complications of this particular surgery:
• Swelling and bruising will almost always be more than you expected. Bruising generally subsides in 1-2 weeks. Most of the swelling subsides in 3 weeks. It will continue to improve for two to three months afterwards.
• The scars have a tendency to be red and lumpy initially and can last for several months. However, the redness and lumpiness should fade with time if you follow Dr Safvat’s scar management protocol.
• Tightness or stiffness of the neck is common while the skin, tissues and sensory nerves heal. This will usually settle in weeks to months postoperatively.
• Nerves in the skin must be cut during surgery. Patches of altered sensation are normal following surgery and usually improve in time. The effects may be permanent in some rare cases.
• Further surgery may be needed if results are unsatisfactory or to correct complications.
Dr Safvat will go through the specific risks associated with direct-excision neck lift surgery with his patients, at their consultation in his Sydney and Bowral rooms.
Cost
Any type of neck lift is a cosmetic procedure and, as such, is not covered by Medicare or Health Funds. There are a number of factors that determine the final cost of this procedure. Surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital fees are all taken into account. However, it is less costly than a standard neck lift as it takes less time to perform the surgery and it is a day only procedure.
Frequently asked questions
What Can I expect over the long term after Direct Neck Lift surgery?
The results of a direct neck lift will be noticeable almost immediately after the procedure, and will continue to improve over the next few months as the body heals. Scars can take up to 12 months post surgery to fully mature. Whilst, the results of the surgery are permanent, they can change naturally with aging and significant weight gain.
Are there any alternatives to Direct Excision Neck Lift surgery?
For some patients, a full neck lift may be the better option if you are looking to improve other areas of your neck that are not affected by the Direct Excision Neck lift surgery. This can be discussed during your consultation with Dr Safvat.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DIRECT EXCISION NECK LIFT AND A STANDARD NECK LIFT?
A standard neck lift is quite an elaborate surgery. It has incisions around the ears which are camouflaged away. It requires tunnelling under the skin and pulling the excess skin behind the ear and removing it. In contrast, the direct excision neck lift removes skin by cutting it out directly from the middle section of the neck. It is also a more straight forward procedure than a standard neck lift and has less potential complications. It is also more effective as it removes the excess skin directly where it is rather than trying to pull it behind the ear. The recovery period is shorter in a direct excision neck lift, as is the theatre time and length of stay in hospital. It does however, leave a visible scar in the centre of the neck. This scar fades over time and, surprisingly, is fairly unnoticeable. Also, a scar in that position is not commonly associated with cosmetic surgery, so it is not picked up on like other more known cosmetic surgery procedure scars.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A DIRECT EXCISION NECK LIFT?
The direct excision neck lift works best on patients with excess skin under the chin and neck. It is also beneficial to have some wrinkles in the neck area as it is easier to hide the midline scar. It is not as effective for younger patients with smooth skin. It can be performed on both men and women.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A DIRECT NECK LIFT?
- Better definition of the neck
- Reduction or elimination of the double chin
- Reduction of neck fullness
- Reduction of the large fold of excess skin that commonly occurs in the middle of the neck
- Faster recovery than a standard neck lift
- Costs less than a standard neck lift
Where does Dr Safvat perform this procedure?
Dr Safvat does the Direct Excision Neck Lift procedure in the Sydney region (Sutherland Shire and Inner West) as well as in the Southern Highlands, NSW. He only operates in fully accredited Private Hospitals, these being Kareena Private Hospital (Caringbah), Strathfield Private Hospital, Southern Highlands Private Hospital (Bowral) and Ramsay Surgical Centre Miranda.
Before and Afters
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Dr Safvat is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon. Every patient is unique and results may vary. Any surgical procedure carries risks which need to be discussed with your doctor to ensure you are fully informed and realistic outcomes have been explained. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
These photos are of actual patients of Dr Safvat. Each has given consent for the photos to be used by Dr Safvat only.
DR ANDRE SAFVAT (MED1155201)
Registered Medical Practitioner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic surgery).
Dr André Safvat – Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Renowned for his dedication to his patients, his attention to detail and impeccable outcomes, Dr Safvat’s unparalleled expertise is reflected in the quality, professionalism and dedication of every member of our team.
