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What is the Best Least Invasive Solution for Turkey Neck?

I am a 68 year active male in good health. However over the past 2-3 years I've developed a hereditary turkey neck. I cannot afford an extended recovery time and seek the best alternative solution to invasive surgery. What are my best possibilities?

Asked 29 months ago by DaCoach in Houston
Sort 14 expert answers by:
+2

At 68 years of age, surgery is only way to address turkey neck

At 68 years of age, there are going to be three components of the neck that contribute to the turkey neck issue. These are excess skin, loose muscles, and fat both above and below the platysma muscle. The only way to address this is through a full face/neck lift, which will require approximately two weeks of social downtime. A neck lift again will not address the excess skin at age 68. There is no least invasive solution for this problem at that age. Simple liposuction will not work... more
William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Direct excision under local anesthesia is the way to go.

I have had great success with direct excision of the turkey neck under local anesthesia. Rather than performing a facelift (lower face and neck lift) to tighten the neck, the hanging tissue is removed directly under the chin. The scar that results is very acceptable cosmetically and heals in a couple weeks. There is little to no down time and essentially no pain. At your consultation, tell the doctor you are interested in a direct submentoplasty.
Theda C. Kontis, MD
Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

You have only 2 choices.

 A facelift will require a week off work. An excision of just the "gobbler" can be done under local anesthesia but will leave a scar, though most patients prefer this to the "gobbler". There is no "non invasive" way to do this, otherwise we would all be doing it!
Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment of Neck?

Thank you for the question. Based on your description face/neck lifing is indicated. Nonsurgical options tend to be ineffective; be very careful because you will be offered these non-surgical treatments that will likely leave you disappointed. Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Running W-Plasty Necklift - enjanced with Fraxel laser skin resurfacing

I have had good success with a procedure called a running W-plasty necklift for a turkey gobbler deformity of the neck, seen more commonly in males. This procedure is done under local or local sedation anesthesia, and is relatively comfortable. I do treat the incision afterwards with four treatments of the Fraxel re:store laser to minimize the appearance of the vertical scar in the center of the neck. The necklift also allows me access to the platysma neck muscles which undergo... more
Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hereditary at 68?

Necklift is the gold standard, all 3 components need to be addressed. not necessaruly operated on but addressed. so, lipo alone, lipo plus muscle repair, lipo, muscle and skin. all depends on the anatomy. you see, it's your neck that makes the decision not us.
Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treating a turkey neck requires surgery

While many machines and procedures are advertised for treating turkey necks non-surgically, the only route to safe, predictable, appreciable, and lasting improvement is surgery, with a 1-2 week period of bruising and swelling.
Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD
Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Neck lift

Really the best treatment for a turkey gobble neck is a neck lift. The non-invasive treatments are not effective.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

IGuide necklift for less downtime than cerivoplasty surgery.

If you are looking for a less invasive procedure with less downtime than traditional cervicoplasty, an iGuide necklift may be for you. The iGuide is a new technique, which I have been the first to perform in Illinois, developed by Dr. Gregory Mueller, a Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon. It essentially combines a neck liposuction procedure with long term skin support via a suture. It can be accomplished under local anesthesia without much downtime. I recently performed the first of... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ultherapy is a good solution to eliminate the "Turkey Neck"

As seen on Dr. Oz, The Doctors and Rachel Ray, we are also finding that Ultherapy is working extremely well to treat "turkey neck". It uses safe, ultrasound technology to target collagen and actually lifts and tightens the skin. We've treated hundreds of cases, both men and women, with great, non-surgical results. Ultherapy is fda-approved and involves no downtime, no needles, no cutting, so this works well for many patient's lifestyle.
Douglas J. Key, MD
Portland Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Botox and Thermage

Possibly a combination of Botox for any loose muscle bands that are hanging down and Thermage to help tighten the skin can give you some improvement without surgery.
Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Surgery is your best option

I would agree with other physicians who say there is no alternative to surgical treatment of a turkey neck. As mentioned, a direct excision may be a good option for you. This procedure often referred to as a "Grecian-Urn" neck lift or neck rejuvenation does leave a scar in the midline of the neck. This can take several months to heal but often will leave only a minimal scar once healed.
D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Quick & Easy Solution for Turkey Neck in an Older Person

The fastest and easiest way is to cut the extra skin in the midline of the neck. It can be done under local anesthesia. It leaves a straight line like scar in the midline but it looks much better than the turkey neck deformity. Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Male plastic surgery of the turkey neck

DaCoach, More men of obtaining surgery to reduce the signs of aging. The turkey gobbler neck is very common, especially in men. Men have 3 general options with increasing degree of aesthetic success, as well as recovery time. The first is simple liposuction of the neck, which not only removes fat under the chin, but also helps tighten the neck over time. Although recovery is quick, the results may be minimal, especially for patients with severe turkey neck sagging. The 2 other cosmetic... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
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