Normal to see new bands so quickly after Platysmaplasty? (Photo)

Hello, to address issues in the neck area, it's important to have a good understanding of anatomy and wound healing. From what I understand, you've undergone two surgeries. In your first surgery, skin laxity was corrected, and in the second surgery, a platysmaplasty was performed (we're not sure if it was only medial platysmaplasty or if lateral platysmaplasty was done as well). Anatomically, the platysma muscle is a thin muscle that lies beneath the subcutaneous fat tissue and wraps around the neck area. Platysmal bands usually form with the contraction of this muscle. While Botox is an effective method for muscle relaxation, it is temporary. When a neck lift surgery is performed, even though both lateral and medial platysmaplasty are done, I always inform my patients that the vertical bands may not completely disappear, only decrease to some extent and you can see them again after the healing process completes. My recommendation is, if medial and lateral platysmaplasty were not performed, to request this in your next surgery. Remember that even with surgery, the vertical bands may not completely disappear. If you prefer not to undergo surgery and have adjusted your expectations accordingly, you can continue with Botox injections.

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photographs.

In some instances, and probably more frequently, when the subcutaneous fatty tissue is very thin, neck lift surgery can be associated with bands of contracture under the skin. These bands can be improved with low-dose steroid injections. It is important that the injections are carried out slightly deeper so that there is no thinning of the skin in the area of the injections.

Massage can potentially also help if these bands are firm. If the bands are soft, it is preferable to use botulinum toxin (Botox or equivalent) for the treatment.