Neck Lift with OUT Platysmaplasty? (photo)

It would be best to consult with a board-certified surgeon in-person as you may have more than one option. The presence of banding down the front of the #neck, and, amount of excess skin and condition of your skin are among some factors which determine if you are a #candidate for #rejuvenating the neck. Chin deficiency with the neck and jawline are also taken into consideration. A weak #chin implies a lack of chin support for the skin along the neck line. As a stand-alone procedure, chin augmentation can be performed in the office under local #anesthesia. For individuals with signs of aging in the neck, a chin implant added to one of the recommended procedures above, will provide optimal results.The contributing factors to the #cost of a #neck lift include the surgeon’s fee, facility fee, medication cost and the anesthesia fee. Estimated fees may also be found here on Real Self, and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website, Surgery.org, or PlasticSurgery.org.  
Patients who desire facial rejuvenation that is affordable, quick, and effective should also consider the Lite-lift™. Like the Life-Style™ facelift, this is a modified facelift, individualized for each patient, that can be performed in the office with a local anesthetic and improve signs of aging around the neck, jawbone and lower face. These procedures are not "Thread-lifts" or "String-lifts". We do not use the "barbed" sutures employed in these other lifting operations. The Lite-lift™ uses longer lasting techniques that are discussed below. Because the incisions are limited, there is less bruising, swelling and healing time for most patients. Many patients can be back to work in one to two weeks looking rested and more youthful.
A board certified plastic surgeon should evaluate both your anatomical features and aesthetic goals to suggest which procedure best suits your needs. In some cases there may be more than one option to choose from. If you are not a candidate at the time of your #consultation, your board surgeon can recommend non-surgical alternatives to address your concern. 

     A facelift to improve the jowls and pull the platysma laterally is a reasonable approach.  The price is reasonable and lower than most.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Lifting the neck and pulling the jawline really cleans up the areas nicely especially with liposuction at the same time. you probably don't need the platysmaplasty and $6250 is a great price for what you are getting. This can all be done under local anesthesia and a quick recovery. Go for it and enjoy the new you. Sincerely,

Dr Hansen

Treatments for the neck can be confusing because there are so many options.  I tend to be pretty conservative with the neck in younger patients.  In the photos you provided, you do not appear to have significant jowling and you seem to be fairly young.  If that is the case, I usually will consider doing either simple liposuction or sometimes liposuction and platysmaplasty only (no incisions around the ear).  This works well mostly for younger patients (under 50).  How old are you?  Thanks.

Thanks for your photos. From what I can see your neck skin looks healthy and you don't have platysma bands. If your surgeon can gently pull on your posterior neck skin and this sharpens your neck on it's own, then you probably don't need to open the neck in the midline for the Platysmaplasty. It would simplify the surgery and your recovery time. Good luck

From your photos, it appears you have good quality skin, no platysma bands at rest and a small amount of fat in the neck area, although this could only be truly determined by a direct physical exam.  If no platysma bands are present at rest, improved neck contour can be achieved with liposuction of the neck and lateral suturing of the platysma and the SMAS.  How close to a 90 degree angle your neck would get is also partially dependent on the cartilage structures in your neck.  It appears you could get a very nice improvement without the incision under your neck.  Pricing depends on your location but the price you noted is reasonable.

Neck lift with or without platysmaplasty depends on what is causing the front part of the neck to bulge. If you pull just in front of your ear and the neck stays the same you need some form of platysma work to get a 90 degree angle. If I make a guess based on your photos alone I would say that you do need this done.

A neck lift is a great procedure for patients who have laxity in the neck with no evidence of jowling in the cheeks. From the pictures that you have provided I would likely recommend lipocontouring of the neck to define the jawline and neck. I would also opt to do a midline plastysmaplasty to tighten the neck in the midline. I'm not convinced you need an incision behind the ears for a lateral pull. This is just my opinion and if I saw you in person there may be other factors that persuaded me to do a formal neck lift with incisions behind the ears. The important thing is that you have an experienced facial plastic surgeon who produces reliable results with whatever technique he or she chooses.

Thanks for posting great photos. In your case this demonstrates the mis communication between patient and surgeon. With you hearing differing types of operations you can ONLY be confused! Best to see the chosen surgeon again in a meeting to fully understand the thoughts that surgeon has. Than and only than with you having FULL understanding proceed with your operation. If you do not "get it" than you need a new surgeon! As for fee for neck lift it sounds acceptable. Best of luck. 

It is hard to determine the best option with photos alone. The best options available to you can range from liposuction (minimally invasive) alone to a necklift with or without tightening of the platysma muscle. If you are concerned about the inconsistency in the recommendation from your plastic surgeon, it would be wise to seek a second opinion, if only to gain reassurance. It is possible, that liposuction alone would be effective without having to undergo a formal necklift procedure. However, only an in person evaluation could determine that. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACS