The delicate neck area is often one of the first features to betray our age. In fact, many of our Bellevue patients find that heavy jowls, sagging skin and wrinkles in this area cause them to look older and weathered far before their time. Fortunately, an expertly performed neck lift can reverse these telltale signs of aging, restoring a youthful and vibrant overall look.
What can a neck lift accomplish?
An extremely popular procedure for both men and women, a neck lift with Dr. Ridgway in Bellevue can take years off your appearance by:
- Tightening excess, sagging skin.
- Improving the look of wrinkles and creases.
- Minimizing the appearance of vertical bands.
- Reducing jowls and excess volume on the neck.
If you are looking to address more intensive signs of aging that extend beyond the neck, Dr. Ridgway may also combine the neck lift with complementary surgical procedures, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery. This allows you to completely refresh your look and achieve total facial rejuvenation. During your initial consultation, Dr. Ridgway will offer personalized guidance on which custom blend of procedures will deliver the more youthful overall appearance you desire.
The neck lift consultation process
Considering elective surgery of any kind is a big decision. To help you make the right decision, Dr. Ridgway ensures you have an extensive consultation with enough time to fully cover all of the questions and concerns you have.
When you come into his Bellevue clinic, Dr. Ridgway will begin by listening to your goals for neck lift surgery and will answer any question you have. Once he fully understands what you are hoping to accomplish, he will perform a very thorough examination of your neck and face and will ask questions about your general health.
Dr. Ridgway will next recommend the procedure or combination of procedures that he feels will obtain the best aesthetic result for you and will fully explain the reason behind his surgical plan. You will have plenty of time to ask questions about the plan and to further discuss your goals.
If you have questions concerning financing and insurance he will answer these to the best of his knowledge and will also refer you to his in-house financial consultant. Dr. Ridgway recommends patients take their time in deciding about cosmetic surgery so they are fully committed to having their procedure if they decide to proceed.
Can I have a neck lift without a facelift?
The answer is yes but the effect may not be aesthetically pleasing. As a prominent Bellevue facial plastic surgeon Dr. Ridgway is meticulous in assessing each patient’s particular needs to ensure the end result is a resounding success.
Some patients have early signs of aging in the neck while others show aging primarily in the face. For those with marked signs of aging in the neck a standalone neck lift is a good option provided that the face is showing very minimal signs of aging. Otherwise the resulting firm youthful neck will amplify signs of aging in the face. The goal is to achieve balance and harmony in appearance, a goal that is routinely met by Dr. Ridgway.
An overview of the neck lift procedure
To begin your neck lift in Bellevue, Dr. Ridgway will administer general anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety throughout surgery. He will then place discreet incisions around each ear, before reshaping, repairing and elevating your neck’s tissues and underlying muscles. Depending on your unique needs, he may also remove excess skin at this time, either with precise liposuction or direct excision. To complete the procedure, he will gently tighten the skin to achieve a naturally firm look before meticulously closing the incisions to ensure any resulting scars are virtually imperceptible.
What to expect during recovery
Immediately after completing your procedure, Dr. Ridgway will place a bandage around the area to minimize swelling and bruising, before sending you home to begin the healing process. We recommend arranging to have a friend or family member stay with you during the first twenty-four hours, as you may need help moving around and performing simple tasks. You can expect to spend the first few days of your recovery in bed, and Dr. Ridgway will make sure you have pain medication to help manage any discomfort.
Though each patient is unique, most of our clients are ready to resume work and their normal daily routines within two weeks. However, it’s important to continue to avoid strenuous activity for a few weeks to avoid complications and ensure an optimal healing process. Once your recovery is complete, you can expect to see a beautiful, smooth and firm neck when you look in the mirror. And, because Dr. Ridgway is committed to using only the most advanced surgical techniques, you can also expect your youthful results to endure for at least a decade.
Are you a candidate for a neck lift?
Dr. Ridgway is deeply committed to personalized patient care. As such, he determines candidacy for all of his patients on an individual basis, after carefully evaluating the cosmetic issues and signs of aging that concern them most. With that said, the neck lift is most commonly performed on men and women in their late forties and beyond, who:
- Suffer from wrinkles, sagging skin, jowls and vertical bands in the neck area.
- Are non-smokers and in good overall health.
- Possess realistic expectations for what a neck lift can accomplish.
Though these guidelines should give you an idea of who can benefit from a Bellevue neck lift, the only way to know for sure if you are an ideal candidate is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ridgway today, so he can walk you through the procedure and determine if it is in your best interest.
Schedule a consultation
If telltale signs of aging on your neck are harming your confidence and causing you to look older before your time, we encourage you to schedule a consultation for a neck lift in Bellevue with Dr. James M. Ridgway. During your private meeting, he will carefully evaluate the imperfections that concern you most, before composing a custom treatment plan designed to restore your smooth and youthful overall appearance.
Schedule a consultation
