Revision Neck Lift Surgery in Philadelphia

The ideal candidate for revision neck lift is a healthy non-smoking patient who has no remarkable medical or surgical history, does not take blood-thinning medications, and demonstrates strong bony facial features, normal hyoid position, and good skin elasticity. They should demonstrate new or persistent neck deformities from recent surgery or recurrent aging neck issues years out from prior surgery. Good candidates for revision neck lift should demonstrate realistic expectations regarding revision surgery goals and outcome and be committed to long term follow-up to ensure the best surgical results.

In most cases, it is advised to wait at least 12 months after an initial neck lift to consider undergoing a revision surgery. This recommended wait time allows the skin, connective tissue, and muscles adequate time to heal to ensure they are ready for an additional operation. After surgery, the results gradually improve over the course of a year and thus operating too soon may be unnecessary as your appearance at 3 months may be very different than that at 1 year.

The psychological stress of cosmetic surgery can be very overwhelming and thus waiting a year to fully recover is often advised. Revision surgery can be anxiety-provoking and being mentally prepared to undergo another surgery will ensure a smoother and easier recovery.

Like all surgeries, revision neck lifts are associated with risks. The increased complexity of a revision surgery increases the likelihood of complications, making it even more important to select a highly qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon to perform the surgery. 

The risks include:

• Infection
• Bleeding and hematoma formation
• Unfavorable scarring
• Poor healing
• Numbness or changes in skin sensation
• Injury to nerves
• Anesthetic complications
• Blood clots in lower legs or lungs
• Prolonged swelling

Revision neck lift surgery is a more technically demanding and challenging procedure due to the accumulation of scar tissue from the previous surgery. Revision surgery also requires more surgical time to address the issues stemming from the original surgery. 

Due to the more extensive nature of a revision surgery, post-operative pain, swelling, and bruising will often be greater than an initial surgery. A prolonged recovery period is also expected after a revision surgery. Finally, the psychological impact is often greater in the revision setting as patients worry if the secondary surgery will address the issues prompting the revision. Revision surgery patients have different expectations as their goals were not met with the initial surgery. 

Unsatisfactory neck lift surgeries can leave patients with a wide variety of cosmetic and functional concerns. Fortunately, a revision neck lift in Philadelphia can provide a solution to many of these problems and help patients regain their confidence. 

Before attending the appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon, make a list of all your concerns. This will enable the surgeon to specifically address each one and ensure you understand the abilities and limitations of the revision neck lift.

Pain is a subjective symptom that depends on several different factors. Depending on the extent of the revision surgery, the degree of scar tissue present during surgery, and various patient-specific factors, the pain a patient experiences can vary. However, the pain from a neck lift revision surgery in Philadelphia can be managed with prescription medications in the majority, if not all, of patients. 

While pain and discomfort are expected after the procedure, it is often short-lived and can be minimized by following post-operative instructions. Common solutions to manage pain after a secondary neck lift include:

• Elevate the head when lying down to reduce swelling.
• Avoid strenuous exercises and activities during the first month.
• Take pain medications as prescribed.
• Avoid straining or lifting anything heavy and limit turning your neck from side to side.
• Use ice packs to help relieve the pain and improve swelling.

Many neck lift procedures fail due to the inexperience of the performing surgeon. Therefore, it is important to do your research when selecting a physician to perform a corrective neck lift in Philadelphia. Determining the experience of a surgeon can be found by looking at or asking about these items.

• Confirm the surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon.
• Review before and after photos of their neck lift and revision neck lift patients.
• Read the surgeon’s reviews to see what patients are saying about their experiences.
• Ask the surgeon how many revision neck lifts they have performed.

When selecting the best surgeon to perform your revision neck lift, it is important to take your time and ensure you are comfortable with the surgeon. There is no harm in scheduling a consultation with a surgeon, but deciding to go with a different surgeon if you do not feel comfortable.