How a Neck Lift Is Performed

[queenofsurjery]

A neck lift procedure normally takes generally takes 2 to 3 hours to perform. However, if you will be having other procedures performed with your neck lift - this time will be increased and you will more than likely have General Anesthesia.

First, you will have monitoring "pads" attached to you so that the surgical team can properly monitor your vital statistics before, during and after your operation. When you are brought to the operating room, electrodes will be "plugged" into these pads which are connected to the monitoring equipment.

Once you are on the operating room table, you will then be given your choice or your surgeon's preference in anesthesia as discussed prior to your surgery date. If you had been given an oral sedative or valium prior you will have less anxiety. They will more than likely insert an IV for a saline drip to keep you hydrated and have a vascular "doorway" for anesthesia, antibiotics, and other medications. If you haven't been given a sedative, it is more stressful for some patients. If you feel that you may experience anxiety inquire beforehand regarding an oral sedative. Having an IV inserted feels sort of like blood being drawn, but for a shorter period of time. It's the initial placement of the IV that may sting a bit. Some people get heir IV placed in the crook of the elbow, some the hand - it all depends upon your veins though. So if your veins are not very prominent this can be a problem. You are then brought to the O.R. if you aren't on the table yet. After the needle is injected into the vein it is pulled out and a little plastic tube is left in your vein. This is called a "catheter". The catheter is taped to your skin so it is not accidentally knocked or pulled out and is ready to be used as a sort of entryway for anything the surgical team deems necessary for your body. This is usually done before you get into the actual O.R. - by a nurse - and you have a saline bag hooked up to you. The medications will usually be given with a drip system with this saline. As said before, the saline will keep you hydrated both during and post-operatively.

If you have chosen an IV Liquid Sedative, they will insert a hypodermic into your tube that you are attached to or they attach the bag of it with a drip system to add a few drops every few seconds and when they spring open the stopper and it starts heading towards your body. The the effects of the anesthesia are felt soon after injection or opening the stopper - a few seconds in fact. It may feel similar to a sensation of "heat" entering your arm or hand at the catheter site. It then feels as though it is creeping up your arm - then it "jumps" from your shoulder to a metallic-like taste under your tongue and then you are blissfully anesthetized. The anesthesiologist or surgeon will then determine if you are sedated properly, your stats are stable and if you are ready for the surgery to begin.

You will then be marked with a magic marker type pen for the placement areas if your placement is to be performed intradermally. You will then be scrubbed with Betadine, the surgical marker markings will remain - although not as dark. You will be injected with a solution of Lidocaine, epinephrine and saline. The epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor. This will impede your skin's ability to bleed excessively. Lidocaine is an anesthetic.