Is this normal? Had corset platysmaplasty 6 weeks ago. Neck still very lumpy. (Photos)

The typical healing that I see in my patients after a neck lift can vary, but most patients tend to follow similar patterns. The best way to know if your healing is on track is to follow up and discuss it with your own surgeon. Every surgeon should know what the average healing is like for their own patients. *****What follows is what I tell my patients***** There should be very little to no swelling in the neck, and the profile view of the neck should show a nice sharp angle. There is usually bruising, but not always.  At one week, the texture of the neck skin feels hard, although the appearance is pleasing.  There may be some lumps or bumps, but they should not be "squishy". The hardness continues for 6-8 weeks. At that point, it starts to soften. Throughout this time, the neck skin will feel numb.  You will feel touch and pressure, but not hot, cold, or sharp.  Be very careful with hair dryers after your surgery, because you can burn yourself without knowing.  The same goes for icing/cold compresses... do not "over-ice" or leave ice directly on the skin. Once the hardness starts to soften,  most patients will start to get feeling back. It can begin will pins and needle, itching, burning, tingling, soreness, or even an intermittent "needle poke" sensation. As feeling comes back, these should go away. Occasionally, the skin can appear blotchy during healing, which should improve over time. There are different types of options to speed up healing such as arnica, ultrasound, and massage to name a few. 

Thank you for your question. I suggest that you consult with your board certified facial plastic surgeon to discuss your recovery expectations and guidelines.
Best wishes,

It’s best to allow more time for healing and follow with your surgeon. It’s appesrs to be healing uneventfully.

Yes, the signs and symptoms you describe can persist for several months following this type of surgery. You should see improvement over the coming months, but I recommend you bring these issues to the attention of your surgeon so they can be monitored appropriately. Good luck!

Hello,
   Thank you for your question. It’s far too early to be critical at this point. A couple of things you consider asking your surgeon about: scar massage and silicone strips. Some light massage at your point may help and silicone strips are the only scientifically proven option for improving the appearance of scars as they mature. Laser resurfacing is also an option further down the road. Did you have a neck lift as well or just the platysmaplasty?
Dr G

Yes, for six weeks this looks pretty normal. Over the next six to eight weeks you should see all these signs of inflammation subside. 

What you are seeing now is a part of the normal healing process. The lumpiness, swelling, numbness, itching and hardness after a face or neck lift like you had typically persists at least 6-8 weeks after the surgery then slowly begin to go away. Give your body time to heal and be patient with your recovery as it can take 6 months to see your final results. Best wishes! 
Dean Vistnes, MD. Vistnes Plastic Surgery San Francisco Bay Area
#drdeanvistnes #realself #necklift