How Much Pain is Involved with a Neck Lift?

The Neck Lift involves minimal post-operative discomfort. Pain medication is prescribed, but it is unlikely it will be needed for more than a day or two following your procedure. Most patients return to work or social activities ten to fourteen days after surgery. Strenuous physical exercise should be avoided for four to six weeks following a neck lift as it can trigger swelling thus causing pain.

Just as with any surgery, some post-procedure
discomfort and pain can be expected following a neck lift. Although a neck lift
is considered well-tolerated, every patient will have a different pain response
following a the procedure. This is due to their individual threshold for pain
and the surgical technique used and the extent of the procedure. Most pain
resolves over the first 24-48 hours. Often patients report some tightness in
the area, which may last for several weeks this is due to the neck being
tightened like a corset. Avoiding strenuous activity can help reduce the risk
of discomfort. In addition, discomfort can be managed with prescription
medication if needed.

It depends on how extensive your neck lift is but it can typically require 1-2 days of prescription pain medications for the average patient.  The most common feeling is 'tightness' as opposed to sharp pain

  I think the answer to this question depends on your surgeon's technique.  I RARELY have patients who complain of pain after this procedure.   In fact, I honestly cannot recall where this has ever been a problem. 

Neck lifts involve freeing the skin of the neck, sometimes thinning the underlying fat either with liposuction or directly, and usually a tightening procedure to the platsyma muscle underneath the skin.  The skin is then "redraped' in a cosmetically "concealed" way so as not to see the incision lines.  There is expected brusing and swelling but pain is not a usual complaint.  I think sometimes in the first few days there may be some mild discomfort with extreme head turning or jaw opening but I instruct my patients to be very "gentle" with head turning in the first 2 weeks after neck lift.  I hope this helps!

Sincerely,

James F. Boynton, M.D., F.A.C.S.

 

One or two pain pills is average for the minimal pain of a neck lift. Twenty percent take nothing or a Tylenol.

Usually, neck lift alone is not a painful procedure.  Because some innervation to the skin is sacrificed, areas of the neck may be numb afterward.  Because muscles of the neck and skin are tightened, your neck will likely be stiff for days to weeks afterward.  Every patient is unique however, and pain has both objective and subjective components.  You should have analgesics available, and anxiolytics if you are prone to worry and/or fear.

Pain after a Neck-lift is best described as mild discomfort, likely associated with some degree of bruising. This is said assuming that the patient is compliant with postoperative activity restrictions.

Most of my patients tolerate neck lift procedures very well. You essentially have three anesthetic options. You can do the procedure under general anesthetic. General anesthetic ensures that you will not experience any pain during the procedure however, it does prolong the recovery when compared with other options. At least in my experience. In my opinion general anesthesia is overkill for an isolated neck lift procedure.

 Conscious sedation is a second option. Conscious sedation uses sedating medication through an IV and allows your level of sedation to be controlled throughout the case. Most patients tolerate this type of anesthetic well however, compared with local anesthetic, your recovery will be a bit more prolonged.

Local anesthetic is a great option for a neck lift procedure. The advantage of local anesthetic includes a better safety profile for the patient, and a quicker recovery time. A few things to think about if considering doing it under local anesthetic include whether or not you have neck or back pain, anxiety or panic disorder, or restless leg syndrome. Patients who experience the above may have a less than desireable experience when doing the case under local and should be made fully aware of what to expect during the case.

In my experience, patients rarely complain about post-operative pain. Vicodin is usually more than adequate to cover the pain. As long as you are not taking blood thinning medications or supplements your bleeding and swelling should resolve without complication. Keep in mind that although it is less invasive than a facelift it is still a surgery and there is down time involved. Compliance with pre and post-operative instructions is very important.

It is important to remember that everyone handles pain differently. Most of my patients categorize neck and facelifts are "uncomfortable" rather than painful. Patients need to be supported with adequate pain medication, beginning with prescription medication and then stepping down to non-prescription items. Also, it is extremely important not to fall behind the pain by trying to delay dosages, especially in the first 2-3 days postoperatively.