Recovery After Neck Lift Surgery: What to Expect at Each Stage

By Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon | Sydney & Brisbane

Understanding what lies ahead during your neck lift recovery can make a significant difference to both your healing experience and your final results. While every patient heals at their own pace, knowing the general milestones helps you prepare practically and mentally for the weeks following your procedure.

As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon performing neck lift surgery across Sydney and Brisbane, I guide my patients through each phase of recovery with detailed instructions tailored to their specific procedure. Whether you’ve undergone a traditional platysmaplasty or a more comprehensive deep neck lift, the foundations of good recovery remain consistent: rest, patience, and careful adherence to post-operative protocols.

Preparing Your Home Before Surgery

The groundwork for a smooth recovery begins before you enter the operating theatre. Thoughtful preparation at home reduces stress and allows you to focus entirely on healing during those crucial first days.

Designate a comfortable recovery space where you can rest with your head elevated. A recliner chair works well, or you can arrange pillows on your bed to maintain a 30-45 degree angle—this position reduces swelling and protects your incisions while you sleep. Stacking regular pillows often fails as patients slide down during the night; purpose-built wedge pillows maintain the correct angle more reliably.

Assemble your essentials within arm’s reach: medications, water, phone charger, entertainment, and light snacks. You won’t want to be searching through cupboards or bending down during those first few days. Having someone stay with you for the initial 48-72 hours provides both practical assistance and peace of mind.

The First 72 Hours: Acute Healing Phase

Following your neck lift surgery, you’ll remain in the hospital overnight for monitoring and initial wound care before returning home the next morning. Grogginess from anaesthesia is normal, and you’ll notice tightness from the compression garments and dressings.

Swelling and bruising don’t peak immediately—they actually reach their maximum around day three before gradually subsiding. This is your body’s natural inflammatory response, signalling that healing has begun. Many patients feel reassured knowing that day three often looks worse than day one; it’s entirely expected.

Ice application during this phase helps manage both swelling and discomfort. However, because sensation in the treated area is temporarily reduced, you must wrap ice packs in a cloth and never apply them directly to the skin. Inadvertent ice burns can occur when numb skin is exposed to cold for extended periods.

For patients who have undergone a deep neck lift with submandibular gland reduction, swallowing may feel slightly tight initially, and the throat may feel sore, similar to mild strep throat. This results from the deeper tissue work and typically settles within the first week.

Week One: The Peak Swelling Phase

By the end of the first week, you’ll notice the swelling beginning to subside, though it hasn’t disappeared entirely. Bruising shifts from purple-red tones toward yellow and green—an indication that your body is reabsorbing the blood from surgery.

During this period, keep activity to a minimum—no bending, lifting anything heavier than two kilograms, or straining. Even seemingly minor exertion can increase blood pressure and potentially cause complications. Light walking around your home is encouraged to maintain circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots, but save the longer walks for later.

Your compression garment remains essential during week one. This supports your healing tissues, minimises swelling, and helps skin conform to its new underlying contours.

Hair washing is permitted during week one, but approach it gently. Use baby shampoo, let lukewarm water flow over your head rather than directing it at incision sites, and pat—don’t rub—the area dry. A hair dryer on a cool setting helps keep incision lines dry without friction.

The Salivary Rest Diet: Essential for Deep Neck Lift Patients

If your procedure included submandibular gland reduction (a component of deep neck lift surgery), following a salivary-resting diet for 2 weeks is essential to prevent a complication called sialocele—a collection of saliva beneath the skin.

Intense flavours stimulate saliva production, which can interfere with the healing of the gland capsule. During this period, avoid anything sour or acidic (citrus fruits, tomato-based sauces, vinegar, pickles), spicy foods (chilli, curry, hot sauce), excessively salty foods, and very sweet items. Alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided as they can dehydrate tissues and alter saliva consistency.

Instead, focus on bland, soft, room-temperature foods that require minimal chewing: scrambled eggs, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, soft-cooked rice, poached chicken, white fish, protein shakes, mild pumpkin soup, banana, avocado, and yoghurt. While restrictive, this temporary dietary modification significantly reduces your risk of developing fluid collections that would require additional treatment.

Weeks Two to Four: The Social Recovery Phase

The second week marks a turning point for most patients. Bruising fades to the point where makeup can effectively cover any residual discolouration. Swelling continues to decrease, and you’ll begin to glimpse the improvements from your surgery—though the final result is still months away.

Most patients return to desk-based work during weeks two to three, depending on individual healing and the nature of their occupation. If your job involves physical labour, you’ll need to wait longer—typically four to six weeks—before resuming full duties.

A common concern during this phase is the sensation of tightness around the neck—this “internal corset” feeling results from the tightened platysma muscle and repositioned tissues. Rather than indicating a problem, this tightness demonstrates that the structural work is holding as intended. The sensation gradually eases over six to twelve weeks as tissues settle and adapt.

For deep neck lift patients, weeks two to four often bring what surgeons refer to as “woody neck”—a firm, board-like feeling under the chin. This induration results from deep internal healing and the formation of scar tissue around the modified muscles and glands. While disconcerting, it’s entirely normal. Gentle lymphatic massage (once cleared by your surgeon) and warm compresses can help, though the firmness resolves naturally over three to six months.

Compression garment use transitions to night-time only after the first week of continuous wear, continuing for an additional one to two weeks. Sutures are progressively removed: behind the ears at five to seven days, and beneath the chin at ten to fourteen days.

Scar Care and Sun Protection

Once your incisions have fully closed—typically around week three, when all scabs have fallen off—you can begin active scar management. Silicone-based gels (such as Strataderm) represent the gold standard treatment. Apply a thin layer twice daily for at least 3 months to optimise healing.

Sun protection for your incisions cannot be overstated. UV exposure on fresh scars causes permanent hyperpigmentation—brown discolouration that never entirely fades. For twelve months following surgery, scars must be either covered or protected with SPF 50+ sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors.

The incisions from neck lift surgery are strategically placed to minimise visibility: within the natural crease behind each ear, along the posterior hairline, and beneath the chin. Scar maturation takes 12 to 18 months, during which time redness gradually fades, and the scar flattens. Reduced skin tension achieved through proper surgical technique further minimises visible scarring.

Exercise and Activity Progression

Returning to physical activity follows a gradual progression designed to protect your healing tissues and prevent complications.

Light walking begins immediately—even on day one post-operatively—to maintain circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots. Keep these walks gentle and brief; you’re not training for a marathon.

Light aerobic activity can typically resume after two to three weeks, provided your healing is progressing well. This might include stationary cycling at low intensity or gentle swimming once incisions are fully healed and your surgeon includes clearance.

More vigorous exercise, including weightlifting, running, and activities that significantly elevate blood pressure, should be avoided until weeks four to six. Blood pressure spikes from strenuous exertion can cause late bleeding even weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will provide specific clearance based on your individual progress.

Nerve Recovery and Changing Sensations

Numbness following neck lift surgery is universal and temporary. Surgical manipulation temporarily affects the small sensory nerves in the treated area, resulting in reduced sensation in the neck, jawline, and behind the ears.

As nerves regenerate over the following weeks and months, you’ll experience evolving sensations: tingling, pins and needles, and occasional sharp “zaps” that may startle you. These unusual feelings actually indicate healthy nerve recovery and are positive signs rather than causes for concern.

For patients who have undergone deep neck lift surgery, temporary weakness of the lower lip may occur. This results from temporary stretching of the marginal mandibular nerve and can cause an asymmetrical smile. In the vast majority of cases, this resolves completely within weeks to months as the nerve recovers. Permanent weakness is rare.

Another uncommon occurrence following deep tissue work is “first bite syndrome”—a sharp pain in the cheek or jaw area upon the first bite of a meal. This results from nerve cross-innervation during healing and typically self-corrects over several months.

Supplements That Support Healing

Certain supplements can meaningfully support your recovery when used correctly. Dr Scott J Turner provides specific guidance based on your individual circumstances.

Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, helps reduce swelling duration when taken at 500mg twice daily on an empty stomach. Arnica montana (30C potency) can minimise bruising severity when started two days before surgery and continued for a week after.

Vitamin C at 1000mg daily supports collagen synthesis, which is essential for wound healing. However, certain supplements must be stopped 2 weeks before surgery: fish oil, vitamin E, ginseng, garlic supplements, and green tea, as they act as blood thinners and increase the risk of bleeding.

Recognising Complications: When to Seek Help

While complications following neck lift surgery are uncommon, recognising warning signs allows for prompt treatment when issues do arise.

Haematoma (a collection of blood) presents as sudden, painful swelling on one side of the neck. It typically occurs within the first 24 hours but can develop later with strain or exertion. This constitutes an emergency requiring immediate surgical drainage to prevent tissue damage.

Seroma (fluid collection) appears as a fluctuating, water-bed-like swelling that may develop weeks after surgery. While less urgent than a haematoma, it requires medical attention and is typically resolved with simple needle aspiration.

In deep neck lift patients, sialocele (salivary fluid collection) may present as a sudden lump, often after eating. Strict adherence to the salivary-resting diet significantly reduces this risk, but if it occurs, contact your surgeon for aspiration and compression treatment.

Signs of infection include increased redness and warmth, pus, worsening pain, and fever. While routine post-operative inflammation is normal, progressive symptoms warrant immediate review.

Contact your surgical team immediately if you experience sudden severe swelling (particularly on one side), signs of infection, difficulty breathing, severe pain not controlled by prescribed medication, or sudden leg pain (which could indicate deep vein thrombosis).

Timeline for Final Results

Patience remains crucial in the weeks and months following neck lift surgery. The timeline for results differs between standard and deep neck lift procedures.

For traditional neck lift patients, social presentability typically returns by week three, with most swelling resolved by month two. The final result becomes apparent between three and six months as residual swelling completely resolves and tissues settle into their new positions.

Deep neck lift patients may experience more prolonged swelling due to the extensive nature of the procedure. The “woody” firmness under the chin takes three to six months to soften completely, and final contouring emerges over this same timeframe. The more comprehensive anatomical work, the more patience yields proportionately greater results.

Results from neck lift surgery typically remain visible for 7 to 10 years with traditional procedures and 10 to 15 years or longer with deep neck lifts. Individual factors, including genetics, skin quality, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices, affect longevity. While no surgery stops the ageing process, patients maintain significant improvement compared to how they would have appeared without intervention.

Summary

The weeks following your neck lift represent an investment in your long-term results. Every recommendation—from sleeping position to dietary restrictions to activity limitations—serves a specific purpose in optimising your outcome.

Dr Scott J Turner and the FacePlus Aesthetics team remain available throughout your recovery journey, with scheduled follow-up appointments at one week, four to six weeks, and three to six months. Between appointments, don’t hesitate to contact the clinic with questions or concerns.

Understanding each recovery phase, following post-operative protocols carefully, and maintaining realistic expectations about the healing timeline positions you for the best possible outcome from your neck lift surgery.

Book a Consultation in Sydney or Brisbane

If you are considering lower facelift surgery, Dr Scott J Turner offers comprehensive assessments at his Sydney and Brisbane clinics. As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon specialising in facial aesthetic surgery, Dr Turner can evaluate your individual concerns and recommend the most appropriate surgical approach.

To arrange your consultation, please contact us or telephone 1300 437 758.