Is it true my minor loose skin on the neck can be fixed with incisions only? (Photos)

It is possible but the incision has to go behind the ear and into the hair, it is not a small incision and sometimes has to go around earlobe as well.A non surgical solution is Thermitight. RegardsDr. J

Thank you for your question.  I evaluate your pictures and the banding of the neck is due to the contraction of the playtime muscle and that is treated under the chin nothing to do with the skin.  The approach is from and incision behind the ear and other under your chin.

I appreciate your question. In a case of rapid weight loss like yours, surgical excision of excess skin is usually necessary to achieve the best possible result. While you can perform this procedure with incisions behind the ears only, it doesn’t tend to produce the most effective result and the improvements may not last as long. I typically add a small incision under the chin that allows me access to the platysma to give the skin the best support for a natural result. Make sure you are working with a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in this procedure to ensure the outcome you achieve meets your expectations. 

FaceTite can internally tighten the skin in the lower face and neck. After all the skin has been heated and contracted, we shape the neck with liposuction to give definition and remove stubborn pockets of fat. In one quick treatment, we can tighten skin, remove fat, and contour the lower face, jawline, and jowls with only a weekend of downtime. Keep in mind that combination approaches will give you a more significant improvement as opposed to a single procedure. I recommend getting a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Dear RecoveringSelf Thank you for your questions and photos! It would be best for the areas of concern to be assessed in person.  Small incision surgery can give good results - but the longevity may not remain.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

Based on your photos, it would be hard to imagine that anterior muscle bands can be successfully treated with posterior skin excision? In your case anterior neck lift with small incision underneath the chin would address muscle deformity and, most likely, will not require any skin excision. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with good reputation in face and neck lifts is recommended. Good luck.

However there are alternatives to what is a relatively large cosmetic surgery. The first option is having botox in the platysma cord. This will soften and in some cases eliminate the cord for up to 6 months at a time. An excellent surgical alternative to a neck lift performed at the time of a facelift is a procedure called a midline platysmaplasty. An incision is make under the chin, the skin is lifted off the platysma cords. The cords are repaired which allows the central skin to redrape more smoothly. The procedure works very well for most with a small neck cord like yours. The procedure could be done under local but typically we do it under light intravenous sedation. Patients who travel to Beverly Hills for this work stay in the area about 1 week but the recovery is much easier that a full face/neck lift.

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you may benefit from a neck lift which should involve both skin and platysma muscle tightening.  If good technique is used, this can be done with minimal scarring and can result in a natural look, not over-done look, with rejuvenation of your neck.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

From your photos what you are calling loose skin appears to be platysmal bands. The skin may have some slight laxity but it is caused by the platysma muscle hanging. A lateral tightening from only a post-auricular incision is not anatomic and will not provide a long lasting result. Please consider a second consult if you are unsure, for other options.

From the photos that you have provided you do appear to have only minor loose neck skin however, the issue is mostly your platysma muscle.  You will require a midline incision in order to plicate the muscles to one another to get rid of the bands that your photos demonstrate.  I do not believe that a small incision behind the ear will provide LONG term correction of this issue as it is likely a suture suspension technique that they are referring to.