Face and Neck Lift

A face and neck lift is a group of surgical procedures that lift and tighten the tissues of the lower two-thirds of the face, from the cheekbones down, along with the neck. It softens the sagging and loosening that come with age, for a firmer, more rested look.

The face and neck are often treated together, since they age together, though each can also be addressed on its own. What’s right for you is worked out with Dr Prochazka at your consultation.

Under the skin and fat of the face sits a firm, fibrous layer called the SMAS. Because it holds its shape rather than stretching back out, lifting and securing this layer is the key to a face lift that lasts. A lift that only tightens the skin won’t hold for long.

There are two broad ways to lift the SMAS. A deep-plane approach divides the SMAS and works in the space beneath it. A mid-plane approach lifts the SMAS without cutting through it. Dr Prochazka’s preferred technique is the mid-plane lift, sometimes called a MACS lift, where the SMAS is lifted and anchored using slow-dissolving “purse string” sutures, without entering the deeper space beneath it.

His reasoning is practical. The deep-plane approach is effective, but working beneath the SMAS takes considerably longer, which adds to the cost, and it brings the delicate nerves, blood vessels and salivary structures in that space into play. By lifting the SMAS without dividing it, the mid-plane technique avoids that deeper dissection. In Dr Prochazka’s clinical view, it’s a well-judged balance between a lasting result and a considered approach to risk.

It’s also worth knowing what this isn’t. A surgical mid-plane lift is fundamentally different from a “thread lift,” which is done without surgically exposing the tissue layers and can’t directly lift the SMAS itself.

A face and neck lift often suits people bothered by sagging skin, jowls, or a loss of definition along the jaw and neck. It’s equally suitable for men and women, and can give very pleasing results even in older patients. What matters most is good general health and realistic expectations.

It may not be the right choice if you’re in poor health, hoping for a complete change, or if your concerns might be better met another way. Dr Prochazka will be honest with you about what will and won’t help.

Every face and neck lift begins with a thorough consultation, where Dr Prochazka examines and assesses your facial tissues, talks through the technique options, and explores your motivations in detail. This informed-consent process is essential to a good outcome.

A second consultation is generally needed as well. At least one consultation must be face-to-face, so an accurate assessment of your facial tissues can be made, though the second can sometimes be held remotely.

Your face and neck lift is performed under general anaesthesia in a licensed Melbourne hospital, with a qualified specialist anaesthetist present.

For the lift, incisions are made in front of the ears, extending a little behind the earlobe. Dr Prochazka exposes and lifts the SMAS, then redrapes, trims and closes the skin, leaving a relatively small scar tucked into the natural contours of the ear. A central neck tuck, where it’s included, uses a short separate incision under the chin.

Recovery varies from person to person, but downtime after a mid-plane lift can be as little as two weeks, often with relatively little swelling or bruising. The incision scars generally heal very well, though the shape of the earlobes can change slightly.

You’ll be given clear aftercare guidance, and it’s important to attend all of your post-operative reviews so anything that needs attention is picked up early. Your specific recovery will be explained in detail at your consultation.

It’s important to be clear. No surgery can be called “safe,” every procedure carries risks, and a face and neck lift is no exception. No result can be guaranteed, and the benefits should be weighed carefully against the risks before you decide.

Possible complications include swelling and bruising; continued bleeding after surgery, which shows as increasing swelling from a developing blood clot; infection or breakdown of the incision line, which in severe cases can lead to loss of tissue; damage to sensory nerves, felt as numbness, or motor nerves, felt as weakness in the facial muscles; stretching of the earlobes; and thickened or stretched scars.

Attending all of your post-operative reviews matters, because it allows any complication to be identified and, in most cases, treated very successfully. Every risk relevant to you will be discussed fully and frankly with Dr Prochazka before you make any decision.

Other Face and Neck Procedures

A face and neck lift is one part of Dr Prochazka’s facial work. Depending on your goals, one of these may suit you, on its own or alongside a lift.