I have heard about the SIMI necklift but I don't see it mentioned. Do you offer or suggest this procedure?

Question

I have read this about it: The SIMI (the single incision minimally invasive) neck lift offers fewer incisions, which can lead to shorter operative times, less pain and, therefore, a shorter recovery when compared with the full neck lift. The incision is more easily hidden. What are your thoughts?

Brian K. Machida, MD, FACS · Answer

This appears to be an acronym used by one physician for his technique. Based on his website description, it uses a single horizontal incision in the mid neck and not under the chin.  Although the doctor states the incision is hidden, it still can possibly be visible.  The technique relies on wide undermining instead of skin excision behind the ears.  However by its very nature, it seems to lack any lateral pull on the platysmal muscle which usually does not address lateral bands.  It might be useful in a restricted segment of patients but definitely the wide variety of patients would benefit from a formal neck lift.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  It would be helpful to view pictures of your neck and face.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  If you have neck laxity, a single submental incision procedure will not work in a satisfactory manner, despite sounding good on paper and having a nice name.  A neck lift needs incision behind the ears also in order to remove excess skin.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   
 
 Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Jeffrey Nelson, MD · Answer

There is no question that the occasional patient may be a candidate for a single incision minimally invasive neck lift. This might be a patient with a more youthful neck, but having platysmal bands in the front of the neck. Also having good quality skin is going to be a part of that equation. It all boils down to the patient's anatomy and honest desires. You can't make a minimal procedure fix something that needs a more aggressive approach. You want the procedure to match the anatomy and hopes you bring to the table; you don't want the surgeon to do the wrong procedure, and you are unhappy because they tried to make a minimal option fit a tougher problem. Since there were no photos you might be a great candidate for "less rather than more" so just be honest about your expectations when you do your consults and let the surgeon explain what is really possible, don't just sign on to someone that tells you what you want to hear. Good luck and keep an open mind to different options.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, a neck lift procedure involves removal fatty deposits in the neck located above and below the platysma muscle. It also includes a platysma plasty. This is usually performed on patients less than 50 years of age who have excellent skin tone, since there's no skin removal performed. There's usually about 1 inch incision underneath the chin and two small access incisions behind the ears. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. Anticipate two weeks of visible bruising and swelling afterwards.

Robert Brueck, MD · Answer

If you have alot of laxity and excess skin then  I think a more formal necklift will be better for you.See a plastic surgeon to be evaluated.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

When it comes to a face and neck lift, although minimizing incisions, undermining, aggressiveness may be attractive to you, these procedures result in suboptimal results. If you are going to spend all of this money and commit to a recovery period, why would you not desire definitive results that will last and be natural. Some of the worst results are achieved with minimally invasive surgeries. Please reconsider having the definitive face and neck lift, termed the extended SMAS facelift.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

Selecting a neck lift procedure for you will depend on factors such as your age, the quality and quantity of the excess skin, and the severity of muscle relaxation. Less invasive procedures may meet your needs but less improvement will be achieved and the duration of improvement shorter. Consult with an aesthetic plaostic surgeon to discuss your alternatives.

Michael Elam, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Zoey2012, An in office examination would be needed to determine if you are a candidate for a minimally invasive neck lift. Most patients requiring a neck lift have skin laxity that necessitates incisions behind the ears to remove the excess skin. Seek some complimentary consultations with experts in the field and discuss your options. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

I have heard about the SIMI necklift but I don't see it mentioned. Do you offer or suggest this procedure?

Answers (8)

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