Neck (Double Chin) Lift

Lower face and neck rejuvenation procedures are most often performed as part of facial rejuvenation procedures. However, they can also be carried out on their own in patients who do not have serious problems in the upper and middle face. People with accumulations along the jaw edges, fat in the neck or sagging neck skin are suitable candidates for these procedures. They are generally performed over the age of 40.

The methods that can be applied in lower face and neck rejuvenation are as follows:

Face and neck lift: The skin of the face and neck is lifted with the help of an incision that starts in front of the ear, turns behind the ear if necessary and from there extends into the hair-bearing scalp. If there is not much of a problem in the neck, the scar is left only in front of the ear. This procedure is called a short-scar facelift. The SMAS layer, a layer located under the skin that also includes our facial expression muscles, is tightened with sutures according to the patient's needs, and the deep layer of the face is shaped. If this is not done, patients return to their former state a short time after the facelift. If there is fat accumulation in the neck, the fat is generally removed with the help of liposuction. If the vertical bands in the neck are prominent and there is a turkey-neck appearance, the neck is opened through a short incision made under the chin and the neck muscles are sutured together. This procedure defines the neck angle. If the chin bone is set back, it is made more prominent with chin implants or fat injections. The Marionette lines running down from the corners of the lips are filled with fat injections. If the lower half of the face is fatty, it can be slimmed with liposuction. The excess skin of the face and neck is cut away and removed. The scars are sutured so that they are hidden in front of and behind the ear and within the hair.

Liposuction: In young patients with good skin elasticity, the neck can be slimmed and the neck angle defined with liposuction alone. With the fat removed, the chin tip and jaw edges can be filled to make them more defined, and the Marionette lines can be filled.

Neck suspensions: In patients who do not want a scar and whose skin elasticity is not greatly impaired, after liposuction of the neck, the neck skin is suspended like a hammock with the help of special threads through short incisions made below the ear. Fat injections and chin implant applications can also be added to this procedure.

As in all operations, in lower face and neck rejuvenation procedures it is necessary to stop aspirin and smoking 3 weeks before the operation. In the last 1 week it is necessary to stay away from medicines and similar substances that may thin the blood.

Things that should not be used:

Painkillers such as Apranax, Voltaren, Vermidon (when a painkiller is needed, Minoset, Novalgin can be used),

Multivitamin pills containing substances such as ginseng, ginkgo biloba, coenzyme Q,

Herbal products such as green tea, flaxseed, cherry stalk, tomato seed

All slimming products

Neck liposuction and suspension procedures can be applied under local anaesthesia and sedation. Face and neck lift operations are carried out in an operating theatre setting, under general anaesthesia or deep sedation.

Neck liposuction takes about 30 minutes, neck suspensions 30 minutes, and face and neck lift procedures about 2-3 hours.

Liposuction and neck suspension procedures are painless. After face and neck lift procedures, patients complain of a feeling of tightness and pressure rather than pain. This also passes within a few days. It can be said that these procedures are generally painless.

Recovery after neck liposuction and suspension is quick. A bandage is generally applied to the neck and this needs to stay on for 3 days. Patients can return home the same day. They can shower on the same day provided they do not wet the neck. After face and neck lift procedures there will be swelling and bruising. The bruising and swelling will generally pass within a week. For the neck skin to recover more quickly, patients are advised to massage the neck for the following 2 months.

After face and neck lift procedures, patients are kept in hospital for 1 night. The next day the drains are removed and they are discharged. Swelling and bruising largely subside within a week. The stitches are removed after six days. The patient can shower 48 hours after the operation. It may take 20 days for the swelling and bruising to pass. However, for the face to settle completely and take on its final shape may take up to three months, depending on skin thickness and the procedures performed. As after all facial operations, after lower face rejuvenation procedures the patient also needs to protect themselves from direct sun for 3 months.

Swelling and bruising are expected problems and are temporary. In the early period, bleeding is an important problem. To prevent this, the patient must not use blood thinners before the operation, blood pressure must be brought under control if the patient has hypertension, and blood pressure must be kept low during and after the operation. If it nevertheless occurs, the patient is taken back to surgery and the bleeding is stopped. There may be persistent oedema in the neck. Softening and slimming of the neck may take longer than expected. In such situations, supportive methods such as lymphatic drainage massage, radiofrequency and deep tissue ultrasound can be used. After lower face and neck operations, paralysis or weakness of movement may be seen, especially in the lower lip. This rarely becomes permanent. It usually passes within a few days, but may sometimes last for weeks.

One of the most feared problems after face and neck lifts is wound healing difficulties and skin loss. This problem may be encountered especially where excessive tightening has been done, in patients who have bleeding after the operation, and in smokers. For this reason, smoking must have been stopped completely at least three weeks beforehand.

The aging process continues after the operation too, and some loosening and sagging occur in the areas that were tightened. However, this never returns to the state before the operation. The permanence of the operation varies according to the technique used and the patient's characteristics. In those with thick and oily skin, sagging occurs earlier.