As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces and necks. Some people show signs of aging in their jaw line. The neck grows slack, folds appear and fat deposits appear around the neck.

A mini neck lift can't stop this aging process. What it can do is "set back the clock," improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, and tightening underlying muscles of your neck. A mini neck lift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a face lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping.

If you're considering a mini neck lift, this brochure will give you a basic understanding of the procedure when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask Dr. Freedland if there is anything about the procedure you do not understand.

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The Best Candidate For A mini neck lift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well defined. Most patients are in their thirties to fifties, but mini neck lifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

A mini neck lift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self-confidence in the process. But it can't give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Freedland.

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Thousands of these procedures are performed successfully each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon, the results are generally quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.

Post-operative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but will prolong your hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.

Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation. Smokers should be advised to stop, as smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing. Often there is temporary loss of sensation, which may last up to a year after surgery.

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following Dr. Freedland's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.

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Mini neck lifts are very individualized procedures. In your initial consultation Dr. Freedland will evaluate your face and neck, including the skin and underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery.

Dr. Freedland will check for medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scars. Be sure to tell Dr. Freedland if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting.

If you decide to have a mini neck lift, Dr. Freedland will explain the techniques and anesthesia he will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. Don't hesitate to ask Dr. Freedland any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results. If you are interested in a mini neck lift view Dr. Freedland's before and after photos of his patients.

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Individuals considering a mini neck lift often feel a bit overwhelmed by the number of options and techniques being promoted today. However, Dr. Freedland can help. In deciding which treatment approach is right for you, Dr. Freedland will consider effectiveness, safety, cost and appropriateness for your needs. This is called surgical judgment, a skill that is developed through surgical training and experience. Dr. Freedland also uses this judgment to prevent complications; to handle unexpected occurrences during surgery; and to treat complications when they occur.

Dr. Freedland's education and training, which he received at the University of Michigan, has helped to form his surgical judgment. Patients are encouraged to do their homework and consider a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ("ABPS"). By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS, a patient can be assured that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency - usually three years of general surgery (or its equivalent) and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor must also practice surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral exams.

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Dr. Freedland will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications. If you develop a cold or an infection of any kind, especially a skin infection, Dr. Freedland may have to postpone your surgery.

If you smoke, plan to quit at least two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery and do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. Though it is rarely necessary, Dr. Freedland may recommend that you have blood drawn ahead of time in case it is needed during surgery.

Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital, if needed.

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A mini neck lift may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis, but some surgeons may hospitalize patients for a day when using general anesthesia. Dr. Freedland feels a hospital provides the safest environment for your surgery and therefore performs almost all of his procedures at a JCAHO accredited hospital. Certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure should be monitored after surgery, and may also require a short inpatient stay.

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Some mini neck lifts are performed under local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed, and your face will be insensitive to pain (however, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort). Dr. Freedland prefers a general anesthesia. This allows the anesthesiologist to give enough sedation to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure and keep your airway secure. In the case of general anesthesia, you'll sleep through the entire operation.

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A mini neck lift usually takes an hour – or somewhat longer if you're having more than one procedure done. Every surgeon approaches the procedure in his or her own way. The exact placement of incisions and the sequence of events depend on your facial structure and Dr. Freedland's technique.

The mini neck lift begins with a small incision under the chin. After it heals, it hides well within the natural crease of the neck. The latest technique separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. The fat is trimmed rather than suctioned so as to remove almost all of the fat from around the neck and chin, which improves the contour. Next, the superficial neck muscles are stitched at the midline. This contours the neck further and helps your results last much longer. Older techniques call for the removal of skin, but Dr. Freedland will close the neck incision without removing skin to assure that the incisions heal without distortion.

Following surgery, a small, thin tube is sometimes temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any blood that might collect there. Dr. Freedland will wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.

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There isn't usually significant discomfort after surgery; if there is, it can be lessened with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Freedland (severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling should be reported to Dr. Freedland immediately. You will be given his pager number and his assistant's cell phone number). Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear in a few weeks or months.

Dr. Freedland will tell you to keep your head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery, to keep the swelling down. If you've had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery. Bandages are usually removed after a few days. Don't be surprised at the pale, bruised, and puffy face you see. Just keep in mind that in a few weeks you'll be looking normal.

Most of your stitches will be removed after about five days. Your scalp may take longer to heal, and the stitches in your hairline may be left in a few days longer.

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You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face, since your skin will be both tender and numb, and may not respond normally at first.

Dr. Freedland will give more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity and heavy housework, for at least one week (walking and mild stretching are fine); avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing.

At the beginning, your face may look and feel rather strange. Your features may be distorted from the swelling, your facial movements may be slightly stiff and you'll probably be self-conscious about your scar. Some bruising may persist for two or three weeks, and you may tire easily. It's not surprising that some patients are disappointed and depressed at first.

By the third week, you'll look and feel much better. Most patients are back at work about ten days to two weeks after surgery. If you need it, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains. Dr. Freedland can instruct you on skin care products that can help make your scars less visible.

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The chances are excellent that you'll be happy with your mini neck lift, especially if you realize that the results may not be immediately apparent. Even after the swelling and bruises are gone, the hair around your temples may be thin and your skin may feel dry and rough for several months. Men may find it difficult to shave.

You'll have a scar from your mini neck lift, but it usually hides well under your chin. In any case, they'll fade within time and should be scarcely visible.

Having a mini neck lift doesn't stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to have other procedures – perhaps five or ten years down the line. But in another sense, the effects of even a mini neck lift are lasting; years later, you'll continue to look better than if you'd never had the procedure at all.

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