A neck lift is a popular and common cosmetic surgery procedure that can help to get rid of wrinkles, tighten your skin, and uplift your face to restore a more youthful look. It’s a great way to inspire confidence in yourself and bring out your inner beauty while you work towards accomplishing important life goals.

Our surgeons and staff members at Eastlake Cosmetic Surgery are here to encourage and inform you every step of the way. If you’re interested in a neck lift surgery, you should be aware of what to expect during the recovery phase. You will likely want to know how long you’ll have to be away from work, as well as what physical limitations you have during this crucial healing phase. Read on for more information regarding recovering from a neck lift surgery in San Diego/Chula Vista!

Post-Op Expectations

Once the surgery has been completed successfully, there are a few important things you should expect during the post-op recovery phase. You will likely have a dressing wrapped around your head, and you will be able to feel it on all sides. Surgical drains will be attached to the bulbs on either side of your dressing, so that the proper drainage may safely leak out.

Expect to have the drainage bulbs for 1-3 days. You will also have stitches around your ears, which will either be removed or fall out on their own within a few days. You will have sutures on your head for 1-2 weeks.

We recommend that you get your sutures removed over a gradual process to prevent any scarring from occurring. You may experience some swelling at first, but this is normal and should go down within a couple of weeks.

Weeks of Recovery

You should spend several weeks in a recovery phase after the initial post-op procedures are complete. Once your dressings are removed and your swelling has gone down, you may feel some numbness around your facial skin as well as your ears. If you notice discoloration in your skin, do not worry – this is completely natural and normal for this stage of the recovery process.

You will notice the healing process start to begin over the next few weeks. You may temporarily lose some sensation in the affected areas however, you should regain feeling soon after. It is very rare that this kind of surgery will result in permanent damage. However, we always encourage you to reach out to your doctor if you notice any symptoms or discomforts that are of concern to you.

Staying Out of the Sun

One of the most important steps you need to take during the surgery recovery process is avoiding the sun at all costs. It’s crucial that you stay away from the sun’s harmful rays as this can cause damage to your skin during the recovery phase.

Plus, many of the signs of aging become apparent due to the sun’s radiation causing wrinkles, sunspots, freckles, and sunburns. It’s too dangerous to go outside while your skin is in a sensitive recovery phase. If you have a history of radiation, you especially want to avoid any contact with sunlight until you are fully recovered.

It is also recommended that you avoid smoking or consuming nicotine before, during, and after your surgery process.

Neck Lift in San Diego/Chula Vista

At Eastlake Cosmetic Surgery, we want you to have a great experience from start to finish. That’s why our friendly staff members will be right by your side from consultation to recovery. If you are interested in getting a neck lift surgery, or you want to know more about the procedures we offer, you can contact us online or give us a call at (619) 216-8000 to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you achieve your body goals as safely and successfully as possible!