Lumps and irregularities under my chin 8 months after neck lift and SMAS. (Photos)

Question

My PS has injected steroids twice now because he thought my issues might be caused by scar tissue. The last shot was 7 weeks ago. I’m not seeing any improvement. I see my PS for another follow up soon. What questions should I ask? I’m really hoping for a non invasive way to correct this, but I’m not sure what my options are. If I have to have surgery again I will, but I’m afraid It will happen again. I’m scared that I’m going to look disfigured forever and I’m getting very worried.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question and sorry to read that you are having such problems. Did you have liposuction as well with your neck lift or was it a lift alone? The scarring can sometimes develop in this way which is a nuisance for patient and surgeon. Steroid injections can help and will soften the scar but it will be a slow process. Even if you are seeing a small degree of change it is probably wise to persist. Massaging the area will again help but again this will be a slow process. Did you wear bandages after your surgery and if so for how long? Sometimes this can cause the skin to tether and develop the lumpiness. There are other scar softening techniques available such as ultrasound etc that you should discuss with your PS. I would advise to continue with your PS as he has a treatment plan for you. It would be worth asking whether a small amount of liposuction or scar relaease  in the area to disrupt the scarring and then aggressive massaging would help. Redoing the necklift is possible, but again this will mean raising all the skin again and then developing more scar tissue. I would suggest not using the dressings for longer than a few days and start massaging the neck sooner to help soften the scars.I hope this is helpful for you KR

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It would be wise to wait at least 1 year before neck revision. Scars and lumps will soften and partially diminish. A combination of direct excision and coverage with thin layer of fat grafts may work. Good luck.

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your concern, and I'm sorry to learn about the challenges you're facing.

In situations like this, a multifaceted approach is often necessary. Steroid injections can aid in softening scars, though this process takes time. Consistency is key, and even subtle improvements are a sign of progress. Gently massaging the area can also contribute positively, albeit gradually.

In some instances, extended use of bandages can lead to skin tethering and the development of irregularities. Exploring scar softening techniques like ultrasound, as well as discussing potential treatment options with your plastic surgeon, can provide additional insights.

Continuing to work with your original surgeon is recommended, as they have a clear understanding of your situation. It might be worth inquiring about approaches like limited liposuction or scar release, coupled with aggressive massaging, to potentially address the issue.

Redoing the neck lift is an option, although it involves revisiting the skin elevation process and the possibility of generating more scar tissue. To facilitate optimal healing, it's advisable to minimize the duration of dressings and start gentle neck massages sooner in the post-operative phase.

If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to me at chopraplasticsurgery.com.

Jonathan Zelken, MD · Answer

Dear dream,
Contour irregularies under the neck can be a nuisance, and often result from a seroma. This is fairly common after the type of procedure you had, and your PS seems to have addressed it reasonably thus far. If you are truly looking to avoid further surgery, additional steroid injections, radiofrequency tightening of the overlying skin, religious compression, and massage may help.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

may be better addressed with a direct excision if you are accepting of the scar under the chin.  This will smooth out the area as opposed to watchful waiting with steroid injections.  Less invasive things such as Thermi or J-plasma could work but are not predictable.  If you're wanting a smoother submentum and want the most sure thing, in my hands, a skin excision there would be best at the trade off for a scar under you chin.

David Alessi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

You appear to have scarring under your neck leading to the irregularities.  This will probably need to be revised at the one year mark.  In the meantime, you can try daily massage to see if this reduced anything.  Seek out a consultation with a revision expert or consult your prior surgeon to see if they have any answers.  Best wishes.

Lumps and irregularities under my chin 8 months after neck lift and SMAS. (Photos)

Answers (6)

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