Neck-lift Complication: What is This Frontal Neck Lump? Why Isn't It Resolving After 2 Cortisone Shots? (photo)

Question

61 days PO lf/nk lift/chin implant w/lipo under chin&neck. Drainage tubes for 2 days. 2 wks PO, a lump formed near top left of trachea. PS said it was "coagulated plasma" & cortisone shot would break it up. A month later, no change and he was perplexed--wasn't sure it was a hardened seroma afterall because of high location. any definitive ideas of what it is and should I get 2nd opinion?

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

I would agree with my colleagues that this is unusual. I did have one patient present to me for a second opinion for a related issue and found that the chin implant had migrated but this is incredibly rare, especially after liposuction as opposed to a necklift. After liposuction there isn't a whole lot of room in which the implant could migrate. I would pursue a second opinion and possibly an imaging study to determine exactly what the lump is and how to proceed. I hope this is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACS

Thomas A. Lamperti, MD · Answer

After reviewing your photos, it is hard to say what the neck lump is due to. Certainly it's hard to say definitively what is going on without an examination. Whether a second opinion is worthwhile depends on what your current surgeon's plan is. Imaging with an ultrasound or other type of x-ray may be useful.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Frontal neck lump after liposuction of the neck is something I have never seen in 35 years of liposuction. Get a second opinion from an experienced surgeon.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I reviewed your history and your photos, and frankly the etiology of this lump is not clear to me. The location appears to be below your submandibular salivary gland by the top of your larynx (voice box).

	A second opinion from a reputable facial plastic surgeon may be helpful since the feel of this bulge can only be appreciated with an exam. If this turns out to be firm tissue, and not fluid that could be aspirated with a needle, you may benefit from a soft-tissue CT or MR of your neck to help determine the etiology.

	Hope this helps, and I wish you all the best with your recovery.

	Dr. Joseph

Todd C. Miller, MD · Answer

It is rare that a lump like this would form two months after surgery. The location is unusual as well. There are not many structures in this area that I can think of that would present like this. I would get a second opinion from an experienced facial plastic surgeon and I would consider a CT scan to try and get a better idea of the nature of the mass.

Neck-lift Complication: What is This Frontal Neck Lump? Why Isn't It Resolving After 2 Cortisone Shots? (photo)

Answers (7)

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Answer: A second opinion may be helpful for determining the cause of your left neck lump, 2 months after cosmetic neck surgery.

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Neck-lift Complication: What is This Frontal Neck Lump? Why Isn't It Resolving After 2 Cortisone Shots? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: A second opinion may be helpful for determining the cause of your left neck lump, 2 months after cosmetic neck surgery.

Answer: A second opinion may be helpful for determining the cause of your left neck lump, 2 months after cosmetic neck surgery.

Answer: Lump after neck lift

Answer: Lump after neck lift

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chin Implant

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