Dear Doctors, I had a SMAS face and neck lift with platysma tightening 6 months ago. 1 month after the surgery I wasn’t satisfied but then things went better and 2 months later I was happy with the result. But then things started to getting worse and now I’m disappointed and I fear in a short time I will be almost as in the pre-surgery condition. Do you think surgical technique was wrong? Is a touch-up necessary? If yes, is an invasive surgery like the first one needed? Thanks a lot in advance.
May 22, 2015
Answer: Touch Up Facelift needed? I'm sorry to hear you are so stressed over your procedure. The reality is that you need to give it 9-12 months before deciding if you are happy with the result. Undoubtedly your result will change/evolve month to month. I do think it is a great idea to photo-document your progress (as you have been doing). Platysmal bands can be stubborn and can return in certain cases. Deciding if you need another procedure is premature at this point since you still have more healing time. A revision procedure of the submental neck region (the area under the chin) does have risks such as bleeding and persistent seroma (clear fluid pocket). Let your surgeon know of your concerns now and be sure he sees you periodically.
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May 22, 2015
Answer: Touch Up Facelift needed? I'm sorry to hear you are so stressed over your procedure. The reality is that you need to give it 9-12 months before deciding if you are happy with the result. Undoubtedly your result will change/evolve month to month. I do think it is a great idea to photo-document your progress (as you have been doing). Platysmal bands can be stubborn and can return in certain cases. Deciding if you need another procedure is premature at this point since you still have more healing time. A revision procedure of the submental neck region (the area under the chin) does have risks such as bleeding and persistent seroma (clear fluid pocket). Let your surgeon know of your concerns now and be sure he sees you periodically.
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March 29, 2018
Answer: Return of platysma bands 6 months after Surgery The platysma muscles of the neck play an integral part in neck appearance before and after surgery. They are very active any time you turn your head or neck and more so when you strain the neck. Some muscles are stronger than others. No matter what, when they contract during these movements, it causes a "bow-string" effect. We all want the sharp clean profile after facelift surgery, so the muscles need to be addressed to achieve that goal. Placing sutures into the muscles to tighten them under the chin is a common solution. The truth is, the muscles continue to contract even when you tighten them. If the muscles are too strong, they can pull so hard to pull the sutures apart, or conversely, if they are too thin and weak, they cannot hold the sutures sufficiently to prevent recurrence of the bands. There are techniques that are helpful to prevent the band recurrence, which may be necessary if you and your surgeon decide that a revision is necessary. Discuss these options with your surgeon. John Standefer MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 29, 2018
Answer: Return of platysma bands 6 months after Surgery The platysma muscles of the neck play an integral part in neck appearance before and after surgery. They are very active any time you turn your head or neck and more so when you strain the neck. Some muscles are stronger than others. No matter what, when they contract during these movements, it causes a "bow-string" effect. We all want the sharp clean profile after facelift surgery, so the muscles need to be addressed to achieve that goal. Placing sutures into the muscles to tighten them under the chin is a common solution. The truth is, the muscles continue to contract even when you tighten them. If the muscles are too strong, they can pull so hard to pull the sutures apart, or conversely, if they are too thin and weak, they cannot hold the sutures sufficiently to prevent recurrence of the bands. There are techniques that are helpful to prevent the band recurrence, which may be necessary if you and your surgeon decide that a revision is necessary. Discuss these options with your surgeon. John Standefer MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
