How Safe Is Neck Lift Recovery, Really?

Surgery can be scary for a lot of people. You may picture weeks of recovery, lying in bed with loads of pain medication. Fortunately, recovery from neck lifts is actually a lot less intimidating than you may think.

Here, we’ll answer some common questions people have about neck lifts and the recovery process.

How long will it take me to recover from a neck lift?

This is one of the first questions surgeons get. And the answer is that it can vary a lot depending on your age, health, and how much work you want done.

And the skill of your surgeon can also play a big role in how long it will take you to recover. A skilled surgeon minimizes incision size, which will help reduce postoperative pain. An inexperienced surgeon can add months to your recovery time.

In most cases, recovery from neck lifts is actually quite fast. You will likely be back to most daily activities in just a few weeks. Yes, weeks.

And after about a month, you can resume resume your normal exercise routine.

What about pain and scarring after a neck lift?

Another common fear about neck lifts is that they’ll cause a lot of pain, as well as severe scarring. Fortunately, the postoperative pain from neck lifts can usually easily be managed with a safe level of medication.

And a great surgeon does everything possible to minimize scarring. The incisions are made in places that are invisible or near invisible. And the incisions are as small as possible.

That means you’ll get a natural result with few visible scars- as long as you pick a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon. And it’s still important that you avoid UV light as the incision sites heal. This will help prevent scar formation.

What’s the timeline line for recovery from a neck lift?

A lot of patients want to know when they will be back to their old self after the procedure. Here’s a common recovery timeline after a neck lift:

• 1 Week: Most bruising around the incision sites should begin to disappear. You’ll want to wear button up shirts instead of pullovers, as this will protect the sensitive tissue in your neck
• 2 Weeks: Most swelling and bruising should be gone. You should be able to get back to most daily activities and return to work
• 3 Weeks: Pain levels should be low, although you may still feel some tension in your neck.
• 4 Weeks: You can now get back to your regular exercise regime. If you lift weights, you should start a bit lighter than usual, as your strength levels may be lower than you expect
• 3 Months: Almost all pain should be gone, and there should be little swelling. You’ll be able to see the results of the procedure.

As you can see, the recovery process is usually pretty smooth. You’ll be back to your normal routine in no time.

What about side effects?

Most neck lifts go smoothly, and there are few severe side effects during the recovery period. But you should keep an eye out for complications such as:

• Large swollen areas
• Tissue that shows signs of infection, such as pus discharge
• Pain that won’t go away with pain medication
• Severe pain more than 1 week after the procedure

These side effects are rare. But if you’re experiencing any of them, it’s important that you contact your surgeon right away.

Still have any concerns about neck lifts?

Being a great surgeon means being there for your patients every step of the way. If you have any concerns about the procedure, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to your surgeon.

Dr. Klicker conducts a thorough consultation before every procedure and walks you through what you should expect. And he’s there for you every step of the recovery process and will answer any questions you have.