Platysmaplasty vs neck lift?

Thank you for your question. There is ongoing confusion because the terminology for neck lift does not explicitly describe whether work under the platysma muscles is included. For many surgeons, an adequate neck lift does not involve reduction of the deeper-seated fat tissue, reduction of the digastric muscles, or reduction of the submandibular glands.

To help clarify these differences, the term deep-plane neck lift is also used by some surgeons. It refers to addressing not just the contour of the platysma muscles but also the volume below them. From the description in your operation notes, it appears that you did not have a deep-plane neck lift. Nonetheless, for many surgeons, a deep-plane neck lift is not always necessary and depends on the characteristics of the patient seeking treatment.

If the problem you are faced with is related to excess volume under the chin, a deep-plane contouring for the neck may be necessary. If the skin elasticity is not very good, re-tightening may also be needed to achieve optimal results. I suggest that you discuss your concerns with a surgeon who offers deep-plane neck lift interventions and get adequate advice on whether this is a suitable intervention for you or not.