Neck Lift vs Platysmaplasty Surgery. Is it possible platysmaplasty can be done without any incision under the chin?

Question

Does neck lift always include platysmaplasty? I had a consultation with a doctor recently. He suggests me a SMAS lower face lift, which includes neck lift. When I asked about the location of incisions, he said the incisions are approximately 3cm long in front of ears and behind the ears. When I searched on the internet, it looks like most doctors will have an incision under chin when doing platysmaplasty surgery. Is it possible platysmaplasty can be done without any incision under the chin?

Corey S. Maas, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  A platysmaplasty is usually approached through a very small (~2 cm) incision that is hidden in one of your natural skin creases on the underside of your chin.  This incision usually heals very nicely and is barely perceptible since it is hidden within a natural skin fold and under your chin.  The incisions for a neck lift, as you mentioned, does require incisions behind your ear but these also are hidden within creases and hairlines as well.  Not all patients need a platysmaplasty - only if they have muscle bands that need to be treated.  We understand the importance of hiding incisions and scars and strive to keep them discreet.  I hope this helps!

David Tauber, MD · Answer

A neck lift is a set
of procedures that can tighten the neck skin and muscle in an effort to remove
excess skin and restore better contour to the neck. The extent of the procedure
is tailored to the needs of each patient but often involves neck liposuction or
direct fat excision, tightening of the underlying neck muscle (cervicoplasty or
platysmaplasty), and skin tightening and excision. There are often three
incisions: 1 around each ear and 1 under the chin. The incisions around the ears
are used to dissect the skin free of the underlying muscle, to access the
lateral part of the muscle (the platysma) for tightening, and to tighten and
remove the excess skin at closure. The sub mental incision (under the chin) is
used to remove excess fat from the neck and to tighten the central part of the platysma.
Without the sub mental incision, the surgeon does not have the ability to
easily remove the fat from central portion of the neck or to tighten the
central part of the platysma. This incision may not be needed for some
patients, however, for others it will compromise the extent and / or longevity
of the lift. A detailed examination will help delineate the best
surgical treatment. Consultation with a plastic surgeon would be the next best
step.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Without seeing pictures or examining you, it is very difficult to give you specific advice.  A neck lift without a platysmaplasty tightens the skin, but does not address the muscles.  In most cases, the platysmaplasty is recommended to achieve the best result.  However, each patient is addressed separately and the best procedure advised to the patient.  A small incision under the chin leads to a significantly defined neck and jaw line in most patients.Good Luck

Andrew Kornstein, MD, FACS · Answer

The answers really depends on what your neck looks like now and what you are willing to accept.Thin necks(no significant deep fat--- deep fat cannot be addressed with lipoplasty) and well contoured necks(no deep muscle issues that create neck fullness) can be addressed without the submental(chin) incision.Said another way, isolated platysmal banding can be readily handled without the need for the chin incision.Best of luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

To perform a platysma plasty  requires an incision placed in the sub mental  chin area blended in the crease. The incision underneath the chin crease  is mandatory in order to perform the platysma-plasty. The fatty deposits are removed above and below the platysma muscle, and then the platysma plasty is performed. When patient's are under 50 years of age, a neck lift can be performed. In most patients over 50 years of age, there will be loose and elastic neck skin which requires a face/ neck lift. For many examples of neck lifts and face/neck lifts with a platysma plasty , please see the link and video below.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

All Plastic surgeons are taught earlier on to shy away from using absolutes such as ALWAYS, NEVER etc. Every single person is different and has different goals which may or may not fit the convenient cookie cutters we may offer them.Does the Neck ALWAYS have to be opened along the chin to get a nice result? NO. Depending on the person, many of us can produce nice results without the scar, trauma and complications associated with a formal central Platysmaplasty.Can ALL people with a sagging or fat neck be treated without opening the neck? No. In some people based on their anatomy and presentation when compared to their wishes a formal platysmaplasty needs to be done.Can a (Central) Platysmaplasty be done without a short chin incision? Back in the early 90's Plastic surgeons at Duke headed by a friend of mine proposed an endoscopic approach to the neck. It worked but was long and tedious and I doubt many of us are still doing it. Sometimes going through the front door (ie chin) is better than climbing in through the chimney. (I apologize for the Christmas analogy but I could not resist)

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

A platymaplasty (alteration of the anterior neck) can be done without an incision under the chin but the results will be compromised and short-lived. This incision is easily hidden in the natural lines under the chin.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

Yes, it takes an incision under the chin to do a platysmaplasty. The country is about evenly divided as to whether platysmaplasty is a good procedure or not. many good surgeons get great results without that operation.

Neck Lift vs Platysmaplasty Surgery. Is it possible platysmaplasty can be done without any incision under the chin?

Answers (8)

More Neck Lift Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (8)

More Neck Lift Questions

How do you repair verticle neck bands 2 years after liposuction necklift?

What is the newest method for performing a neck lift?

Neck lift gone wrong. What can I do to help it? (Photo)

35 and thin with a waddle/turkey neck. What's my best option? (Photo)

Can a bad neck lift be fixed? ((photo)

Update on "Submandibular glands already sagging after neck lift" (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS