Will the puckering on the bottom edge of my platysma scar flatten out and what is the pocket to the left of my chin? (photos)

Question

I had a platysmaplasty revision 11 days ago. At day 5 I was told to take down the dressing and the scar had not come together and had formed a wide scab. I contacted the CS and he was going overseas and I saw his partner the same day who sutured it together. I now have puckering on the underside of the scar. Will this flatten? I also have a pocket on left side of my chin. What is this and what can I do about it? I am very self conscious going back to work next week.

Barry M. Weintraub, MD, FACS · Answer

It is a bit difficult to judge because after eleven days, you are not fully healed.  It does appear from your photos that you might have a non-union, and dimpling of the skin, from the type of closure that was employed by your surgeon. My best advice is to go back and see your surgeon. In my practice, I prefer to sew my platysmaplasties in many layers for support, and in the final layer, I sew with extremely thin subcuticular (under-the-skin) sutures under loupe magnification for the finest possible incision line.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

The appearance of this scar can be improved with lasers and microneedling/PRP. Sculptra with radiofrequency/ultrasound skin tightening (thermage or ultherapy) also softens this area. I recommend seeing an expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer

Alicia Sigler, MD · Answer

Greetings,

Some patients look and feel great after two weeks from surgery, and others are bothered by lumps and bumps or changes in skin sensations for months after. The recovery from a facelift/necklift varies from patient to patient.

No surgeon  can predict which patient will heal quickly and which patient won't, and this can be frustrating for both, patient and surgeon. You are experiencing what is commonly known as "poor wound healing" but it doesn't mean it is normal. Keep in touch with your surgeon and evaluate how the incisions look after a few months. If you aren't comfortable with the way they look, you may be able to discuss scar revision with your surgeon.

Have a great day!

Norman Leaf, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

By now, I'm guessing most of the puckering has gone away. It should continue to improve. But looking at your 5 days post-op picture, it looked like there might have been a wound infection. Happily, the 11 day post-op picture looks much better. The pocket on the left is possibly swelling, but might be a bit of retained fat.  Swelling will go away, but retained fat might require a small revision.

Will the puckering on the bottom edge of my platysma scar flatten out and what is the pocket to the left of my chin? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Puckering and swelling

Answer: Puckering and swelling

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Will the puckering on the bottom edge of my platysma scar flatten out and what is the pocket to the left of my chin? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Puckering and swelling

Answer: Puckering and swelling

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.