Your consultation with Dr Benjamin Norris

During your consultation at Form & Face, you can discuss your goals and expectations for a neck lift and decide if the procedure can meet your needs.

You’ll need to discuss your medical history, current health, medications, and lifestyle habits with Dr Norris. He will then assess the level of skin laxity, muscle weakness, and any fat deposits on your neck, jawline, and chin. During your consultation, you may have a photograph taken for medical records.

Your consultation will also allow you to discuss other aspects of the procedure, such as preparation, recovery, and potential complications associated with surgery. Dr Norris will aim to ensure that you’re well-informed about the procedure, explaining how to prepare for the surgery, the recovery process, and steps to prevent complications.

You’ll also receive information about the costs involved, tailored to the specific steps of your procedure. A personalised quote outlining the expenses associated with your procedure will be provided during the consultation.

Your initial consultation will let you ask any questions, communicate any concerns and feel well-informed about the procedure process. Should you decide to move forward with your surgery, Shannon, our Practice Manager, will assist you in arranging a comprehensive quote and discussing your surgical options in detail.

What is the cost of a neck lift in Sydney?

During your consultation, we will give you a personalised cost estimate based on your specific procedure details. Since neck lifts are unique to each individual, the total procedure expenses can vary.

At your consultation in Bondi Junction or Bella Vista, you’ll get to discuss your surgery choices, create a plan, and find out the estimated cost.

The total cost of a neck lift will include the surgeon’s fees, which reflect Dr Norris’s experience, anaesthesia fees, and hospital fees (covering the use of facilities). Other costs during recovery, such as dressings or follow-up appointments, should also be considered when discussing the costs of your procedure.

To learn more about procedure costs, we recommend booking a consultation at Form & Face by using the contact form below, or by calling us on 1800 376 677.

How you can prepare for surgery

Following your initial consultation for a neck lift, Dr Norris prefers a follow-up appointment to discuss your procedure details further, which will include how to prepare for the procedure.

To prepare, you’ll need to follow your personalised guidelines, as they will be tailored to the details of your procedure and your individual needs. Preparing for surgery generally includes to:

• Stop smoking. Dr Norris requires patients to quit smoking for a minimum of two months prior to the surgery. Quitting smoking will help to prevent complications.
• Pause certain blood-thinning medications. Some medications can raise the risk of excessive bleeding, so you’ll need to stop taking these about two weeks before your surgery. Dr Norris may approve certain medications during your consultation. Blood-thinning medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, and supplements, will need to be discussed.
• Arrange for a patient escort to take you home after your surgery.
• Schedule time off work.The amount of time you will need to take off work depends on the physical demands of your job, as you will need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for longer than light exercise or sedentary work.
• Organise a patient escort to take you home from the hospital after your surgery. You won’t be able to drive after your procedure, so we recommend to organise for transportation in advance.
• Take sufficient time off work. The duration of your leave depends on the physical demands of your occupation, as you will need to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting.
• Ensure that your home is equipped for recovery. Make sure that you will have access to everything you need in advance, such as medications (over-the-counter or prescription), comfortable clothing and more.

How is a neck lift performed?

A neck lift with plastic surgeon Dr Norris will be performed in a fully accredited medical facility and under general anaesthesia. Your surgery will be supported by experienced and qualified staff, including an anaesthetist who regularly works with Dr Norris.

The procedure typically involves:

• Discreet incisions –Typically, incisions are made discreetly behind the ears and sometimes under the chin.
• Skin elevation – Dr Norris will separate the skin from the underlying tissue to access the neck muscles and fat.
• Muscle tightening – Depending on the patient’s needs, the platysma muscle may be tightened or repositioned.
• Fat removal or redistribution – Excess fat may sometimes be removed via liposuction. You will be able to discuss the addition of liposuction to your surgery during your consultation.

After addressing muscle and fat, the skin is carefully re-draped over the neck, and excess skin is trimmed. The incisions are then sutured closed before bandages or dressings are applied.

A neck lift generally takes about two to four hours, depending on the complexity of your procedure steps. You will be monitored in the recovery room after your surgery, before being able to return home or required to be monitored overnight.