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Neck Lift Complication - Submental Scar Tissue Causing Platysmal Rupture. Is This Common?

My surgeon says I have been very unlucky. My incisions were only around my ears, so I can't understand why my submental area had such a complicated reaction. I also had 2 small hematomas, salivary gland inflammations plus mild cellulitis along one side. My neck is still healing after 3 mos.. Have you ever encountered so many problems for a healthy non-smoker? Could I have some underlying condition that caused all this? At least my face does look quite good:-) I hope my neck does eventually.

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by NoGainWithoutPain in Cambridge, MA

Doctor Answers (14)
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Platysmal separation after a facelift

If no incision was made underneath the chin, your problem is a curious one indeed. Many patients have a separation of the platysma. A lift that pulled the platysma apart could worsen that problem. Fortunately it would likely be improved with a platysmal plication procedure. There are different plication methods, so there is hope. If your platysma was cut horizontally, this approach predisposes to showing of the glands below the jawline and hematoma formation... more

Common Neck Lift Complications

Fortunately, most complications following neck lift surgery are rare and self-limiting. The most common adverse event following a neck lift, which is not even considered a true complication, is slight asymmetry or under correction. These issues can often be addressed during an additional procedure performed under local anesthesia in an office setting. More serious complications include blood or fluid collection under the skin that must be drained in the operating room. Rarely, a branch... more

3 months of complications after neck lift?

Without a submental (under the chin) incision, visibility is limited to the anterior/central part of the neck. Suture repair, and surgical modification to the submental fat, and muscles in this area would be quite difficult without this incision. This could explain some of the problems, or not. Perhaps a second opinion might be in order. Be sure your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Platysmal Rupture after Necklift & Other Complications

It certainly is possible to have multiple different problems after face or neck lift surgery. Although small hematomas, infection and salivary gland infection are rare, you are the evidence that they can happen in one patient. I certainly would not jump to the conclusion that this is your surgeon's fault - both of you had rather bad luck. In terms of rupture of the platysma, I am not quite sure what you are describing. The platysma is a very pliably broad sheet of muscle. If... more

Neck Lift Complications

If I might read into this question a bit, it seems that you are really asking, is my surgeon being honest with me? First off, 3 months out from surgery and still having problems is quite unusual and typically would indicate a technical problem with the surgery. While it is possible to be "unlucky", being unlucky four times in a row... The most important part of the relationship between you and your surgeon is trust. When this is gone, you need a new p more

Neck lift problems

Your's is a complicated story and we won't be able to help you without a photo to see what you look like. Dr. Joel Feldman in your town is an expert at these things and if he was your doctor please trust his judgement for you. If he wasn't the doctor you might visit him for an opinion.

Issues after neck and face lift

Without an incision under the chin, the only way IMHO that the platysma muscle can be separated or injured is through liposuction. The cannula could have torn and separated the platysma and would require an open procedure (incision under the chin) to gain access to that area.

Neck lift complications

Complications like hematoma and infection can occur - though rarely. I'm hopeful that if it's been 3 months and most of the problems have been resolved, that you won't have any more issues that come up. I'd recommend you stay in close communication with your plastic surgeon so he/she can monitor you and make sure you are healing well. Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.

Submental neck irregularities after neck lift

Platysmal muscle banding, inadequate undermining, excessive trauma, persistent fat pads, blood or fluid collections, and other unforseen issues can complicate neck lifts with irregularities and subsurface scarring. There is great potential to minimize these irregularities by judicious compression and ice packs early after surgery, also massage and thermal wraps in the later post operative period. I have been impressed with the use of cold lasers for tissue recovery... more

Platysma or Submental Scar Tissue after Neck Lift

Hi NoGainWithoutPain in Cambridge, MA, As you can see, the plastic surgeons here are having difficulty answering your faclift question without photographs & based on the information provided. Platysma rupture is not a term typically used among face lift surgeons. Perhaps, you mean banding which refers to the visible edge of the platysma muscle. Neck banding is commonly seen from natural aging alone. While a majority of healing after face lift occurs in the first few weeks,... more

Neck issue

I do not understand how you can have a platysma rupture from a limited incisoin procedure. Do you mean tear of the platysma. Was a neck suture placed through limited incisions, and then possibly tore through the musle?

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Platysma rupture after neck lift

A platysma rupture is not a true diagnosis and I can't even imagine what that means. In some instances, plastic surgeons practice complete transection of the platysma muscle. Hematomas tend to occur in patients with hypertension or on antocoagulants.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Facelift Complication?

Regarding: "Neck Lift Complication - Submental Scar Tissue Causing Platysmal Rupture. Is This Common? My surgeon says I have been very unlucky. My incisions were only around my ears, so I can't understand why my submental area had such a complicated reaction. I also had 2 small hematomas, salivary gland inflammations plus mild cellulitis along one side. My neck is still healing after 3 mos.. Have you ever encountered so many problems for a healthy non-smoker? Could I have some... more