My husband, 53, and in good health with little excess body fat, is considering having a small, fatty pouch under his chin done with Vaser Hi Def lipo.
The doctor said he'd use a smaller cannula than the one he'll use on my husband's abs/flanks. Wouldn't my husband need a Neck lift to help the lipoed area reattach smoothly? Should he "pass" on the neck lipo?
A neck lift addresses fat above and below the platysma muscle. The vaser lipo will not be able to address submental fat. This is very common in men. Additionally, adjustments of the muscles by tightening the platysma are performed on a neck lift, which vaser lipo cannot do. A well-performed neck lift would be the better option than neck liposuction. If your husband has excess skin in his neck, then a full face/neck lift will have to be performed.
Web reference: http://www.seattlefacial.com
Web reference: http://drnichter.com/advances-minimal-scar-facelift-surgery-lite-lift/
Without seeing photographs it is difficult to make a determination which procedure is best. VASER liposuction of the neck/jowls will remove all of the fat in the area and there will be significant contraction of the skin afterwards. If there is a significant amount of loose skin in the neck region (i.e. turkey neck), then you will be more of a candidate for a neck lift. Now, Men in general do not want a facelift because of the stigmata. You can achieve excellent contraction of the skin with VASER lipo alone and most men will be happy with that for several years before undergoing a surgical procedure. Also, if there is a moderate amount of loose skin you can sometimes use the iguide suture to enhance the neck area without a neckliftt or facelift, but it depends on the amount of jowling. Just remember that the jowls are actually a part of the face and are best addressed with a facelift and only minimally addressed with a necklift.
At age 53, it is quite possibel that the skin has lost enough elasticity that lipo alone won't give you the result you want. That is where a cheek and neck lift comes into play to remove the fat, tighten the muscles, and remove the extra skin.
Web reference: http://www.randcosmeticsurgery.com
The results following liposuction in the neck region will depend upon the skin quality and quantity as well as the location of the fat. Many men in their fifties have a combination of excess skin, loosening tissues and excess fat.
Vaser liposuction, (and other types of liposuction), can removes some excess fat under the skin. Middle aged individuals will often have another layer of fat under the platysma muscles in the neck. Liposuction in the neck will not remove this deeper fat.
If your husband has very little excess skin and good skin elasticity, he may benefit from liposuction alone. However, if he has excess skin, this can become looser with the liposuction. In this case he may need a neck lift or a face lift, The lifting procedures support the loose underlying tissues, tighten the skin and remove excess fat.
Make sure your husband consults with a plastic surgeon experienced in both liposuction and neck lift surgery so he can provide the best recommendation for your husband's particular case.
The problem with only doing any type of liposuction under the chin in patients in their 50's or more is the skin bunches up or sags and looks worse than before. Get a second opinion from an experienced facelift specialist--you get what you pay for!
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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