subject: Options for Enhancing the Appearance of the Neck [print this page] Does having a thick neck make you look heavier than you should?
Does loose skin hang on your neck because you've lost weight or you're getting up in years?
Do bands around your neck give away your age more than other parts of your face?
Whether it's weight gain, weight loss, aging or just genetics, there are now a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures that produce amazing results. Quite frequently, patience choose to undergo a neck lift in conjunction with a face lift or other cosmetic procedures for a completely rejuvenated look.
For less advanced problems, patients can undergo office treatments that require no down-time. For more substantial cases, patients may decide that despite the recovery time involved, surgery is the best solution for them. Several procedures are often combined to achieve the most dramatic results. Consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon will help each patient make an informed decision about the best course of action for his/her individual case.
NECK TREATMENT OPTIONS
Problem: Loose Skin on Neck. Solution: Cervicoplasty
To reduce loose skin on the neck, surgeons perform what is called a cervicoplasty, which involves trimming and lifting the skin. Once the procedure is completed, the surgeon secures the area with tissue glue or stitches.The surgeon may insert a drain under the skin of the neck to collect any fluid that could cause discomfort and swelling. The drain remains in place for a day or two.
A cervicoplasty takes between two and four hours, depending upon the complexity and whether additional procedures are being performed. Frequently, a cervicoplasty is combined with a cheek lift, facelift, brow lift, facial implants, eyelid surgery, chemical peel, or laser resurfacing. During recovery, patients are fitted with a compression bandage that is worn for at least a week. Patients can expect tightness, swelling, numbness and bruising following surgery.
Recovery discomfort is well worth it though, since results last for 5 10 years. Not only that, but the improvement in the patient's appearance is frequently astonishing as the neck and jaw line take on a new, defined shape.
Problem: Bands Around the Neck or "Turkey Wattle". Solution: Platysmaplasty
Weakened or loose neck muscles can cause the appearance of neck bands or the "turkey wattle". Additionally, fatty deposits at the jaw line can cause the appearance of jowls. Platysmaplasty surgery can correct these problems. Depending upon the severity of the problem, patients have several options.
If the problem is vertical bands that extend from under the chin to the base of the neck, BOTOXtreatments can relax the neck muscle (platysma) that is responsible for this appearance. The injections are completed in the doctor's office within about 15 minutes. This solution temporarily reduces the appearance of banding allowing patients to get back to normal activities immediately.
To make more comprehensive improvements, the surgeon may recommend a procedure that requires making incisions under the chin and/or behind the ears to access the neck muscle (platysma) and alter or remove parts of it as necessary. Permanent sutures may be used to secure the tissue. Other less invasive procedures requiring smaller incisions and using an endoscope (a small camera attached to a thin tube) may also be an option.
Patients are generally thrilled with the results of platysmaplasties because they feel their firm, trim neck also makes their face appear more youthful. With their neck issues corrected, patients often eagerly experiment with new jewelry and necklines on their clothes.
Problem: Excess Fat in the Neck. Solution: Liposuction
If jowls or a double chin is a concern, surgeons can remove this excess fat by making a small incision below the chin and performing liposuction. If this is the only procedure the patient is undergoing, it will only take about an hour and about five to ten days to recover. That being said, this procedure is often performed in conjunction with a neck lift or facelift because if a large amount of fat is removed, skin may sag. In this case, the excess skin is removed so it appears firm and taut. Patients undergoing this type of procedure may be given general or local anesthesia. The surgeon will discuss anesthesia options to determine the best method for each individual.
Because of the differences in skin type that exist between men and women, liposuction results vary depending on gender. For men, liposuction of the neck is effective only for the simplest fat deposits on younger patients. Because men's skin is thicker and less elastic, it doesn't retract as well when fat is removed. Additionally, a man's neck muscles frequently descended into the neck and require repairs of the muscle in order to reduce the bands. For this reason, best results for men are often achieved with corrections to the neck combined with a facelift.
As always for matters involving cosmetic surgery, it's best to obtain a comprehensive evaluation from a qualified plastic surgeon.
