Neck Lift (Cervicoplasty) Consultation Preparation: What To Know and What To Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

If you’re considering a neck lift (cervicoplasty), your consultation with a plastic surgeon is an informative and reassuring step in understanding what the procedure involves and whether it’s the right choice for you.

Allowing you to meet your surgeon and discuss your needs, your consultation is a great opportunity to ask any questions you have and get a clear idea of what to expect before and after surgery.

While you don’t need to know everything before going into your consultation, preparing for it can help you make the most of the discussion and ensure that you leave with the information you need. In this blog, we’ll help you prepare for your neck lift consultation, outlining what you should know beforehand.

Understanding the purpose of your neck lift (cervicoplasty) consultation

A neck lift (cervicoplasty) consultation is your chance to discuss your concerns, learn about your options, and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for surgery.

Your plastic surgeon, Dr Jeremy Richardson, will assess your neck’s structure, including skin laxity, the position of the underlying muscles and salivary glands, and any excess fat and skin, to recommend the most appropriate surgical approach.

Since a neck lift procedure is designed to address physical changes in the lower face and neck, the consultation will focus on the details of the procedure itself. He will also review your medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors to ensure that you are in good health for surgery.

What should you expect during your consultation?

During your consultation, your surgeon will closely examine your neck to assess the best surgical approach. Careful evaluation includes looking at the condition of the neck tissue, how much elasticity is present, and whether any muscle tightening will be needed.

For some patients, a neck lift alone may not be enough to achieve the definition they are looking for. If there is a significant loss of structure in the lower face, Dr Jeremy Richardson may discuss combining a neck lift with a facelift to address both areas.

Since the neck and jawline are closely connected, treating both areas can sometimes produce a more comprehensive result.

Your consultation will need to involve assessing your suitability for the procedure. Generally, suitable candidates are over the age of 40 years old, but it will mainly come down to the condition of the tissue on the neck. Ideally, candidates should also be non-smokers, or should agree to quit no less than 2 months before the procedure.

Once your surgeon has determined the approach that will be taken and that you are a suitable candidate, he will then go over the surgical plan in detail, explaining where incisions will be placed, how the underlying tissues will be adjusted, and whether additional procedures such as liposuction will be included.

Before your consultation: How you can prepare

Before your consultation, it helps to have a general understanding of what you are looking to achieve with surgery.

While you don’t need to know the technical details, being able to explain the results you would like to achieve will help your surgeon put you in the right direction. Some people focus on excess skin, while others may be more concerned about changes in muscle tone or loss of definition. Understanding what stands out to you the most will help your surgeon recommend the best approach.

It’s also important to gather any relevant medical information, including details of any previous surgeries, existing medical conditions, and medications you take. This will allow your surgeon to assess whether any adjustments will be needed to your surgical plan. If you take blood thinners, certain supplements, or other medications that may affect healing, your surgeon will provide specific advice on whether you need to pause them before surgery.

Since consultations can cover a lot of information, writing down any specific questions beforehand can be helpful. This ensures that you don’t forget to ask about anything important while discussing the procedure.

Questions to ask your plastic surgeon

Asking the right questions during your consultation can help you to feel more informed and prepared.

Firstly, we recommend asking about the type of surgical approach that may be used for your neck lift. Different techniques can be used depending on your needs, so understanding the approach can help you understand what your procedure plan may involve.

Next, it can be helpful to ask where your incisions will be placed. Knowing where your incisions will be made will prepare you for your recovery and help you to understand where any possible scarring may be located.

We also recommend asking Dr Jeremy Richardson questions about the recovery process, including how much time you will need to take off from work, so that you can plan accordingly. While patients typically need to take about two weeks off from work, it can vary from patient to patient, depending on your job and the extensiveness of your surgery.

Finally, it’s always important to ask about the possible risks and complications, and what your personal risk level may be. Dr Richardson will typically explain possible risks when assessing your suitability for surgery, and will only perform the procedure on suitable candidates in order to minimise risks.

Apart from our suggested questions, you are welcome to ask your surgeon any other questions you may have about neck lift surgery. It’s important to feel well-informed and comfortable throughout the procedure process.

Schedule your neck lift (cervicoplasty) consultation in Melbourne with Dr Jeremy Richardson

Located in Melbourne, Dr Jeremy Richardson is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who specialises in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Throughout the years, his training has allowed him to adopt modern surgical techniques and ensure high-quality care for every patient. Dr Richardson values confidentiality and privacy, with the goal to provide a comfortable and supportive environment.

Dr Richardson is a member of The Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPS), Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) and Australian and New Zealand Board of Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons (ANZCPS).

He is a Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (Plastic Reconstructive Surgery) (FRACS), with a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery with Honours, a Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours and a Post-Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy. Internationally, he also completed further cosmetic surgical training at the well-known Harley Street Medical District of London.

If you would like to schedule your consultation for a neck lift, please feel free to get in touch with our team.