What to Expect Weeks after a Neck Lift
Your neck may feel stiff, swollen, and sore, and you wonder how you’ll ever get used to it. However, it’s important to remember these symptoms are temporary and will fade away after a few weeks. The first week after a neck lift can be challenging, and your body will be working to mend itself. Your neck will feel stiff for a few days after the procedure, as the muscles and tendons need time to heal. That’s why you may feel sore, aching, or even tender. You may feel dizzy or nauseated in the first few hours after the surgery, which is normal. Once you wake up from the anesthesia, it is normal to feel dizzy or nauseated. As the days progress, you may feel more confident, and your neck will feel more firm.
Here are some post-neck lift experiences that you should expect.
Weakness and Sensitivity
As your body heals, you may feel increasingly weakened and sensitive. It is normal to feel like this for the first several weeks, and you can expect to feel weaker after the surgery. This will subside over time, and your strength and nerve function will improve. However, if you experience a sharp pain in the back of your neck, you should contact your surgeon immediately.
Stiffness and Swelling
The first week after a neck lift will be relatively uncomfortable. It’s normal to feel stiff, swollen, and sore. After waking up from the anesthesia, you may feel groggy, which will subside as you wake up. Your body will start to heal, and you may feel stiffer and sorer than usual for a few days after the surgery. Your neck will feel sore and stiff for a few days after the procedure, then feel better over the next week. Take it easy over the following week as your body continues to heal. Avoid bending, twisting, and lifting your neck too much.
You’ll be stiff and sore
It can take close to six weeks for your body to heal completely following a neck lift procedure, during which time you may experience stiffness and soreness. When your body is healing, it will temporarily be too tight on certain muscles. Stiffness and soreness are normal after a neck lift and will subside for one to two months.
Headaches and Neck Pain
Headaches are a common postoperative symptom and may occur after a neck lift. They may disappear over the next few weeks but may come back periodically. If they are persistent, it’s important to consult your doctor, as it may be a sign of bleeding or nerve damage.
Pain after a Neck Lift
Pain after a neck lift is a sign that your body isn’t healing properly. But it is normal to experience some soreness, but it should not be severe. If the pain is severe, it can signify that you might have an infection or nerve damage. These require immediate medical attention.
Bruising
Bruising is common after neck lift surgery. You may see these on either side of your neck, face, and ears. This is normal for the first week or so after the procedure, but if they persist beyond this time, it may be a sign of an infection or nerve damage if you notice any signs of swelling or bruising that last more than two weeks after your procedure (or if a fever accompanies them), contact your doctor immediately.
Shaking and Tremors
Shaking can be common and occurs when the body is healing and has become too tight on certain muscles. That’s normal after a neck lift and should subside within two months. But if that persists, you may have nerve damage, and it’s important to consult your doctor.
Your Neck Will Be Tight and Sensitive
Tightness and sensitivity are normal after a neck lift. It’s important to avoid tight collars and scarves for the first several weeks, as they can be uncomfortable. Also, avoid anything that might irritate your skin, such as extreme temperatures or harsh soaps.
Skin Irritation and Scars
Skin irritation after a neck lift is normal as your skin heals. It is also normal to experience redness and tenderness, which should subside over several weeks. You can use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for relief of red or irritated skin. The scarring after a neck lift is permanent but will fade gradually for several years.
Bleeding After a Neck Lift
Bleeding is one of the most serious post-surgery complications but rarely happens after a neck lift. However, if you experience significant bleeding after your procedure, it is important to contact your doctor immediately.
Neck Lift Recovery and Healing Time
Neck lift recovery and healing time vary depending on the procedure performed. A traditional neck lift generally requires two weeks’ worth of recovery time before you can return to most normal activities. But if you’re having other procedures done simultaneously, such as liposuction or a facelift, your doctor may ask that you take a week or two off from work to allow proper healing.
What to avoid for faster healing?
It’s important to avoid strenuous exercise for two weeks after a neck lift. Strenuous exercise can cause blood vessels to expand and increase blood flow, making bruising worse. Again, refrain from drinking alcohol or taking painkillers during your recovery period. These substances can slow down the healing process, and alcohol can further irritate your skin.
While a neck lift leads to better health and a renewed sense of confidence and well-being, the days following surgery will likely be the most uncomfortable, but the process is expected to take a few weeks. At the end of the recovery process, you may feel a little stiff and sore but much better than before surgery. Try not to lift heavy objects for at least a week after the procedure. You should avoid twisting your neck too much.