Having thyroid removed - can I get the skin on my neck tightened through the same incision?

Question

I have crepey skin on my neck already - age 50 - wondering when my thyroid is removed if I could have a plastic surgeon stitch me up and get him to remove a little skin on the neck when he's doing it. Would this help at all? I know the thyroid removal is only going to make the crepiness worse. If this wouldn't help is there something not too stressful I could do at the same time? I don't think I want to heal from thyroid removal and neck lift at same time. Thank you!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It is difficult to talk about unusual surgical option without series of photos or in person evaluation. It would be possible to remove some skin from the neck after wide undermining using existing or somewhat larger scar. However, if  tightening of mucles and fat removal is needed to provide desired result, an additional incision underneath the chin may be needed? Only on the basis of in person consultation an experienced surgeon could give you a meaningful opinion. Good luck.

Brian K. Machida, MD, FACS · Answer

The thyroid incision should not be designed to take excess tension caused by excision of skin.  This would result in scar widening and even thickening.  In addition the scar would have to be wider than usual.  This would not be a good solution.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Although the thyroid removal should not materially impact your neck appearance it is unlikely that any substantial skin improvement could be obtained through the same incision.  In general necks require muscle tightening as a chief issue followed by redraping of the skin, pulled in an outward direction.

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello rrrrrrrrrr,I would not recommend having your neck tightened at the same time of your thyroid removal.  Trying to use the same incision for the thyroid to tighten the neck would lead to a very noticeable scar.  Using the standard incision to help tighten at the same time as the thyroid would likely lead to a widened thyroid scar.  I'd wait to have the neck tightened for 6-12 months after your thyroid surgery.I hope this helps and good luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

No, neck skin cannot be tightened over the thyroid. It  will make a very very unnatural appearance due to dog ears/ pleats that will occur, and therefore significant lengthening the incision. Best to have your thyroid removed from A short incision, wait six months and then perform a lower face and neck lift  which accomplish  tightening neck skin from behind the ears.

Having thyroid removed - can I get the skin on my neck tightened through the same incision?

Answers (6)

Answer: Having thyroid removed - can I get the skin on my neck tightened through the same incision?

Answer: Having thyroid removed - can I get the skin on my neck tightened through the same incision?

Answer: Having thyroid removed-can I get skin on my neck tightened as well through the same incision?

Answer: Having thyroid removed-can I get skin on my neck tightened as well through the same incision?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Having thyroid removed - can I get the skin on my neck tightened through the same incision?

Answers (6)

Answer: Having thyroid removed - can I get the skin on my neck tightened through the same incision?

Answer: Having thyroid removed - can I get the skin on my neck tightened through the same incision?

Answer: Having thyroid removed-can I get skin on my neck tightened as well through the same incision?

Answer: Having thyroid removed-can I get skin on my neck tightened as well through the same incision?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.