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Only 36 and so unhappy with my neck. What procedure would you recommend to smooth my neck line and eliminate neck bands? (Photo)

Neck bands present at rest. No extreme weight loss/gain, no previous procedures. Just unlucky and so self conscious. My goal would be to have a procedure that smooths my neck line and eliminates neck bands. Is this possible, a realistic expectation? What procedure is recommended? Cost in DC area? Complications/liklihood? Recovery time? Scaring? How long will results last? When/if the bands return, will they be worse than if I had nothing done? Please help!!! I'm miserable.

Doctor Answers 17

Neck lift

September 14th, 2014
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Based upon the pictures you have some platysmal laxity which shows as “neck bands”. A neck lift could be done to tighten the bands and improve the appearance. This would involve making an incision under the chin to get access to the muscle/bands. From this incision the bands could be sutured together to eliminate the appearance and give you a more refined appearance. As with all procedures complications include: Anesthesia, bleeding, infection as well as possible scarring. You appear to be a good candidate based on the photos. However, before recommending any definite treatment plan you should have a consultation with a surgeon. Recovery depends upon what technique is used, this will ultimately be determined at a consultation. The results should last for years if you maintain a healthy diet, exercise and do not have significant fluctuations in your weight. Typically if the bands return they can be touched up. Normally this should be several years.

Web reference: http://jasinfacialandbody.com/facial-plastic-surgery/simplicity-neck-lift/

Dominic Castellano, MD
September 14th, 2014

Neck lift

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Based upon the pictures you have some platysmal laxity which shows as “neck bands”. A neck lift could be done to tighten the bands and improve the appearance. This would involve making an incision under the chin to get access to the muscle/bands. From this incision the bands could be sutured together to eliminate the appearance and give you a more refined appearance. As with all procedures complications include: Anesthesia, bleeding, infection as well as possible scarring. You appear to be a good candidate based on the photos. However, before recommending any definite treatment plan you should have a consultation with a surgeon. Recovery depends upon what technique is used, this will ultimately be determined at a consultation. The results should last for years if you maintain a healthy diet, exercise and do not have significant fluctuations in your weight. Typically if the bands return they can be touched up. Normally this should be several years.

Learn more: http://jasinfacialandbody.com/facial-plastic-surgery/simplicity-neck-lift/

Dominic Castellano, MD

Neck Bands

September 8th, 2014
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The bands on you neck are visible because your underlying platysma muscle is split and it has stretched the skin. This will require a procedure to provide long term correction. Either a platysmaplasty or mini-neck lift would work. I would recommend the mini-neck lift if the skin is quite loose, but this could only really be determined after an examination by your surgeon. Both procedures can be done in the office and it does not require general anesthesia. The cost would be $5K to $9.5K depending on the procedure needed. The results, especially in a young person, should last 12 to 15 years. If the bands return, the procedure can be repeated. Scaring is minimal. The platysmaplasty requires a small incision under the chin and the mini-neck lift requires an incision around the bottom and behind the ear. Both scars are inconspicuous. There can be complications with either procedure, but are unusual.

Web reference: http://cosmeticplastics.com/faceandnecklifts/

Franklin D. Richards, MD
September 8th, 2014

Neck Bands

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The bands on you neck are visible because your underlying platysma muscle is split and it has stretched the skin. This will require a procedure to provide long term correction. Either a platysmaplasty or mini-neck lift would work. I would recommend the mini-neck lift if the skin is quite loose, but this could only really be determined after an examination by your surgeon. Both procedures can be done in the office and it does not require general anesthesia. The cost would be $5K to $9.5K depending on the procedure needed. The results, especially in a young person, should last 12 to 15 years. If the bands return, the procedure can be repeated. Scaring is minimal. The platysmaplasty requires a small incision under the chin and the mini-neck lift requires an incision around the bottom and behind the ear. Both scars are inconspicuous. There can be complications with either procedure, but are unusual.

Learn more: http://cosmeticplastics.com/faceandnecklifts/

Franklin D. Richards, MD

Smoothing Neck Line and Eliminate Bands at 36 Years Old

June 6th, 2017
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It's best to begin by consulting with a surgeon in-person. The presence of banding down the front of the #neck, and, amount of excess skin and condition of your skin are among some factors which determine what treatments will best rejuvenate your neck . During an in-person examination, your chin will be evaluated along with the neck and jawline. A weak #chin implies a lack of chin support for the skin along the neck line. In younger individuals a chin implant alone is usually all that is needed to improve the appearance of the neck. Subsequently, it will also improve the overall #balance of the face and can create the illusion of a smaller nose. As a stand-alone procedure, chin augmentation can be performed in the office under local #anesthesia. For individuals with signs of #aging in the neck, a chin implant added to one of the recommended procedures above, will provide optimal results.

A board certified plastic surgeon should evaluate both your anatomical features and aesthetic goals to suggest which procedure best suits your needs. In some cases there may be more than one option to choose from. If you are not a candidate at the time of your #consultation, your board surgeon can recommend non-surgical alternatives to address your concern. 

Web reference: http://www.pacificcenterplasticsurgery.com/procedures/face/neck-lift/

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS
June 6th, 2017

Smoothing Neck Line and Eliminate Bands at 36 Years Old

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It's best to begin by consulting with a surgeon in-person. The presence of banding down the front of the #neck, and, amount of excess skin and condition of your skin are among some factors which determine what treatments will best rejuvenate your neck . During an in-person examination, your chin will be evaluated along with the neck and jawline. A weak #chin implies a lack of chin support for the skin along the neck line. In younger individuals a chin implant alone is usually all that is needed to improve the appearance of the neck. Subsequently, it will also improve the overall #balance of the face and can create the illusion of a smaller nose. As a stand-alone procedure, chin augmentation can be performed in the office under local #anesthesia. For individuals with signs of #aging in the neck, a chin implant added to one of the recommended procedures above, will provide optimal results.

A board certified plastic surgeon should evaluate both your anatomical features and aesthetic goals to suggest which procedure best suits your needs. In some cases there may be more than one option to choose from. If you are not a candidate at the time of your #consultation, your board surgeon can recommend non-surgical alternatives to address your concern. 

Learn more: http://www.pacificcenterplasticsurgery.com/procedures/face/neck-lift/

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS

36yo neck bands

September 9th, 2014
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Hello Me x 3-
You are young and look youthful. Please try botox in these neck bands but make sure the enough of the medial edge of the platysmal band is injected. This is your best option currently.
A conservative anterior neck dissection with approximation of the medial bands and back-cutting of the platysmal muscle may be option, but understand the risks. 
Good luck.

Web reference: http://www.antonaesthetics.com/skin-care-procedures/injectables/

Mark Anton, MD, FACS
September 9th, 2014

36yo neck bands

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Hello Me x 3-
You are young and look youthful. Please try botox in these neck bands but make sure the enough of the medial edge of the platysmal band is injected. This is your best option currently.
A conservative anterior neck dissection with approximation of the medial bands and back-cutting of the platysmal muscle may be option, but understand the risks. 
Good luck.

Learn more: http://www.antonaesthetics.com/skin-care-procedures/injectables/

Mark Anton, MD, FACS

Neck bands neck lift

September 5th, 2014
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A temporary solution would be Botox.  This may last 3-5 months.  Since it appears that you have little fat, I don't think liposuction of neck will improve your situation and could make it worse.  So a mini neck lift would improve the appearance.  
Sharon Y. Giese, MD

Sharon Y. Giese, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 10 reviews

September 5th, 2014

Neck bands neck lift

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A temporary solution would be Botox.  This may last 3-5 months.  Since it appears that you have little fat, I don't think liposuction of neck will improve your situation and could make it worse.  So a mini neck lift would improve the appearance.  

Sharon Y. Giese, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Neck bands

September 2nd, 2014
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I think your best option is an anterior platysmaplasty. The cause of your anterior neck bands is the hanging of your anterior border of the platysma muscles. The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation. An incision is made a few millimeters behind the chin crease if you have one and is about an inch long. The skin is dissected away from the anterior muscle borders and then the muscle border is cut for about an inch and then the anterior borders are sutured together. The surgery should take less than one hour. A snug dressing or chin strap is placed after the surgery and worn for a week at which time the sutures are removed. A chin strap is to be worn intermittently for a month. There are few complications with this procedure. A temporary alternative is to try Botox injections along the anterior border.
Howard N. Robinson, MD (retired)

Howard N. Robinson, MD (retired)
Miami Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 62 reviews

September 2nd, 2014

Neck bands

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I think your best option is an anterior platysmaplasty. The cause of your anterior neck bands is the hanging of your anterior border of the platysma muscles. The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation. An incision is made a few millimeters behind the chin crease if you have one and is about an inch long. The skin is dissected away from the anterior muscle borders and then the muscle border is cut for about an inch and then the anterior borders are sutured together. The surgery should take less than one hour. A snug dressing or chin strap is placed after the surgery and worn for a week at which time the sutures are removed. A chin strap is to be worn intermittently for a month. There are few complications with this procedure. A temporary alternative is to try Botox injections along the anterior border.

Treatment of Neck Bands in the young

September 1st, 2014
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You have both static and dynamic neck bands with some loose skin. There are essentially 3 things that can be done. First, you can treat the bands with Botox. This will require a significant amount of product and someone very skilled to prevent problems with other structures in the neck and to get the result you wish. you are young enough that, hopefully, the skin will redrape. If this does not work, then surgery is indicated. There are two options, neck lift or facelift. For me, I do not do standard neck lifts. Instead, I would dissect the muscle anteriorly, divide the band at the hyoid level and plicate the muscle superiorly. I also do not like a standard SMAS lift for someone your age. I do a modification of a MACS Lift for everyone, but it is absolutely the only thing I would use in someone your age. This will suspend the muscle, but you will still need anterior muscle plication and band division. See a plastic surgeon with significant experience in both use of Botox and face and neck lifts.
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

September 1st, 2014

Treatment of Neck Bands in the young

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
You have both static and dynamic neck bands with some loose skin. There are essentially 3 things that can be done. First, you can treat the bands with Botox. This will require a significant amount of product and someone very skilled to prevent problems with other structures in the neck and to get the result you wish. you are young enough that, hopefully, the skin will redrape. If this does not work, then surgery is indicated. There are two options, neck lift or facelift. For me, I do not do standard neck lifts. Instead, I would dissect the muscle anteriorly, divide the band at the hyoid level and plicate the muscle superiorly. I also do not like a standard SMAS lift for someone your age. I do a modification of a MACS Lift for everyone, but it is absolutely the only thing I would use in someone your age. This will suspend the muscle, but you will still need anterior muscle plication and band division. See a plastic surgeon with significant experience in both use of Botox and face and neck lifts.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Only 36 and so unhappy with my neck. What procedure would you recommend to smooth my neck line and eliminate neck bands?

September 1st, 2014
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Appears a few issues related to aging. The Platysmal bands, slight if any neck skin laxity. The simple first treatment for temporary improvement of the banding is the use of BOTOX (most likely 80 to 100 units fee $1200). Otherwise even 'cutting' the bands is a very difficult option that costs thousands with poor results. As for neck laxity either non invasive RF therapy, minimal invasive ThemiTight RF, or a neck lift. Best to seek a few IN PERSON opinions!!!  
Darryl J. Blinski, MD
September 1st, 2014

Only 36 and so unhappy with my neck. What procedure would you recommend to smooth my neck line and eliminate neck bands?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Appears a few issues related to aging. The Platysmal bands, slight if any neck skin laxity. The simple first treatment for temporary improvement of the banding is the use of BOTOX (most likely 80 to 100 units fee $1200). Otherwise even 'cutting' the bands is a very difficult option that costs thousands with poor results. As for neck laxity either non invasive RF therapy, minimal invasive ThemiTight RF, or a neck lift. Best to seek a few IN PERSON opinions!!!  
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Neck rejuvenation candidate

August 31st, 2014
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 The photographs appear to demonstrate  static and dynamic platysma muscle cords. There is also extra skin located in the neck. An in person consultation and examination would be required to determine whether or not a neck lift versus a face/neck lift would be required to rejuvenate the neck. A neck lift would involve a platysma plasty to simply tighten the neck cords. A face and neck lift will address any laxity of the skin. For many examples of both procedures, please see the link below

Web reference: http://www.seattlefacial.com/photogallery/facelift_photos.html

William Portuese, MD
August 31st, 2014

Neck rejuvenation candidate

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
 The photographs appear to demonstrate  static and dynamic platysma muscle cords. There is also extra skin located in the neck. An in person consultation and examination would be required to determine whether or not a neck lift versus a face/neck lift would be required to rejuvenate the neck. A neck lift would involve a platysma plasty to simply tighten the neck cords. A face and neck lift will address any laxity of the skin. For many examples of both procedures, please see the link below

Learn more: http://www.seattlefacial.com/photogallery/facelift_photos.html

William Portuese, MD

Neck bands

August 31st, 2014
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Dear Me x 3,
Thanks for submitting your pictures. From the pictures it appears that you have very little skin laxity and mainly sub mental and lateral platysma muscles bands.  Since you are so young, you have few options : 1. Botox injections - They need to be repeated every 3 -4 months and will eliminate or significantly reduce the bands. There is no surgery and no down time. 2. Platysmorrhaphy - Small incision under the chin. Undernining the skin and exposing the platysma muscles that are being undermined too, subsequently. If there is fat under the muscles centrally , it is  removed and the muscles are being plicated and the excess muscle is excised. 3. Neck lift - This option appears to be excessive in your case because it's done to tighten excess skin and muscles laterally and the incision goes around the lower ear , extending into the hairline. 4.  MACS  face lift - This option is good if you have deep naso labial folds, tear trough deformity and jowls. This surgery is the most comprehensive and improves on the face and neck, including the bands. The incision goes from the pre temple hairline ( the incision here is beveled and allows hair to grow through it and camouflage it ), continuing downward and ending around the ear lobes. In summary, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, make sure that the surgeons show you many before and after pictures  that are consistent and attractive. Discuss cost issues with the surgeons, because as you can see, there are few treatment options and there is the additional time element that is dependent on the complexity of the procedure. The cost of Botox in my practice is $12 per unit.
             Best of luck,
                            Dr Widder

Web reference: http://widderplasticsurgery.com

Shlomo Widder, MD
August 31st, 2014

Neck bands

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Dear Me x 3,
Thanks for submitting your pictures. From the pictures it appears that you have very little skin laxity and mainly sub mental and lateral platysma muscles bands.  Since you are so young, you have few options : 1. Botox injections - They need to be repeated every 3 -4 months and will eliminate or significantly reduce the bands. There is no surgery and no down time. 2. Platysmorrhaphy - Small incision under the chin. Undernining the skin and exposing the platysma muscles that are being undermined too, subsequently. If there is fat under the muscles centrally , it is  removed and the muscles are being plicated and the excess muscle is excised. 3. Neck lift - This option appears to be excessive in your case because it's done to tighten excess skin and muscles laterally and the incision goes around the lower ear , extending into the hairline. 4.  MACS  face lift - This option is good if you have deep naso labial folds, tear trough deformity and jowls. This surgery is the most comprehensive and improves on the face and neck, including the bands. The incision goes from the pre temple hairline ( the incision here is beveled and allows hair to grow through it and camouflage it ), continuing downward and ending around the ear lobes. In summary, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, make sure that the surgeons show you many before and after pictures  that are consistent and attractive. Discuss cost issues with the surgeons, because as you can see, there are few treatment options and there is the additional time element that is dependent on the complexity of the procedure. The cost of Botox in my practice is $12 per unit.
             Best of luck,
                            Dr Widder

Learn more: http://widderplasticsurgery.com

Shlomo Widder, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.