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What Can I Eat After Neck Lift Surgery?

By: Austin-Weston

9/19/2022

What Can I Eat After Neck Lift Surgery?  Reston

Once your neck lift surgery has been completed, and you’ve returned to the comfort of your own home, the focus shifts to recovery. Setting up a comfortable space to rest and having help with daily routines and chores are important steps in preparing for neck lift recovery, but they’re not the only ones. To help make your healing process as comfortable, efficient, and successful as possible, it is essential that you stick to an appropriate diet and stay hydrated. Use the helpful tips below from the board-certified plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Northern Virginia to learn more about what to eat – and what foods and drink to avoid – following neck lift surgery.

What is a neck lift?

If you’re reading this, you likely already have some idea of what neck lift surgery is, but let’s take a closer look at what the procedure is designed to do and how it is performed in order to better understand why your recovery diet matters. The neck lift is a highly transformative neck contouring procedure that involves skin removal, skin tightening, muscle repair, and other techniques with the goal of creating a slimmer and smoother neckline. Neck lift surgery is a fantastic option for patients who have loose neck skin (turkey neck), neck banding, vertical neck cords, neck wrinkles, and other signs of aging on the neck.

There are several types of neck lifts possible, each of which uses a unique approach. In general, neck lift surgery involves a series of incisions near the ears and/or beneath the chin, which allows the surgeon to tighten and reposition muscles and excise loose skin in order to create a taut, youthful new look. In many cases, neck liposuction is added to a neck lift to remove stubborn fat cells for an even more slender new neckline.

What to expect after neck lift surgery

Following neck lift surgery, patients can expect some amount of swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Depending on the approach used, the extent of the procedure, and if any additional surgeries were performed simultaneously, neck lift recovery may last anywhere from about 2 – 6 weeks, though patients can typically return to work and other light daily activities within about 7 – 10 days. During neck lift recovery, patients should follow their surgeon’s aftercare guidelines closely, which may include:

  • Sleeping on your back with your head elevated
  • Getting plenty of rest
  • Taking medications as directed
  • Avoiding strenuous physical activity
  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet

What should I eat after a neck lift?

Like with all surgeries, patients should focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying properly hydrated in order to encourage optimal healing, reduce swelling, and keep their immune systems strong. One consideration when it comes to a neck lift recovery diet is that patients often report a feeling of tightness in the neck, which may make soft foods more comfortable to eat for the first several days. Some nutritious and beneficial items to have on hand for your neck lift recovery diet include:

  • Spinach, kale, and other dark leafy greens
  • Carrots
  • Broccoli
  • Apples/apple sauce
  • Bananas
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Avocado
  • Yogurt
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Water
  • Electrolyte drinks

Foods and beverages to avoid during cosmetic surgery recovery include processed foods, sugar, sodium/salt, alcohol, and caffeine.

With a healthy diet and proper neck lift aftercare, you can return to your usual routines and enjoy visible results sooner.

Take years off your look with neck lift surgery in Reston, VA

Having loose or wrinkled skin on the neck can make a person appear much older or heavier than they actually are, which can understandably take a toll on their self-esteem and overall quality of life. If you are ready to lose the turkey neck and feel more confident than ever, neck lift surgery may be right for you. To learn more about the stunning results that may be possible for you with neck lift surgery in Northern Virginia, call Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery to schedule your private consultation with one of our distinguished board-certified plastic surgeons today.

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