Loose skin reappears after neck lift. Is this normal? (Photo)

Question

Recently had anterior neck lift with chin implant. Still numb, only two weeks out, so I anticipated that. But as swelling has decreased loose skin seems to be reappearing. Is that normal?

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Please remain patient during your recovery as you will notice improvement over time. I suggest that you discuss your recovery progress, expectations and best practices with your board certified facial plastic surgeon.
Best wishes,

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello palisades55 Necklifts are designed to remove only deep grooves and wrinkles, not fine ones. You should visit or contact your PS about this concern. #looseskin #post-op

Marc DuPéré, MD · Answer

Thank you for your very important question.  An anterior neck lift (neck liposuction, muscle repair) does not address skin laxity.  This type of neck lift is good when the expected excess skin is minimal and the skin elasticity is still strong.  A chin implant normally helps.  For a more serious and longer-lasting neck lift, a posterior approach is ALSO required where skin is excised and pulled, along with the deeper muscle layer (called SMAS).
  But be patient, you are only 2 weeks out and the skin may still contract over several months.
I hope this helps!
Kind regards, 
Dr. Marc DuPéré, aesthetic plastic surgeon

Arnold Almonte, DO · Answer

I would be interested in seeing your neck skin prior to surgery. In general, limited procedures render limited results. A chin implant helps, but it's possible you might have needed a formal lower facelift as well. With that, the skin along the jawline and cheeks would also be more defined, to go along with your new chin. I would discuss this with your surgeon. Regardless, you are still quite early in the healing period, and you should see improvement with time. Good luck.

Larry Weinstein, MD · Answer

The limited incision anterior neck lift will ultimately give you limited results. Your quick relative recovery and chin improvement should allow you some solace in the new improved profile in the mirror. Wearing neck support for the first 4 weeks after neck surgery helps the skin stick to the new position. Give it time. Good luck...

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with your Doctor for a formal evaluation and after care recommendations. It can take up to 6 months to have your final results with a neck lift. To improve your final results, I recommend a combination approach with thermage/venus legacy and Kybella/Ultherapy. I recommend getting a formal consultation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

following any 'lifting' procedure.  But the improvement should be obvious over what you started with.  Your limited photo shows some irregularities that could simply be a reflection of your swelling and if so, it will smoothen with time.  As for concerns about your results, you should always discuss them with your surgeon.  If you feel you are hitting a wall, then post before and after photos here and you will get many opinions about your results.

J. Charles Finn, MD · Answer

you are very early in your healing, be patient. Remember, surgery is intended to improve, but it does not perfect your appearance. Surgery cannot change the ingredients you bring to the table, and if your skin is collagen-depleted, surgery will not fix that. Once you are healed, have your surgeon compare the pre-op photos with your results to appreciate the improvement you achieved!

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Looks like you had a poor suction of your lower neck. You can salvage this by considering revision liposuction with high definition liposuction with VASER liposuction and Cool Helium Plasma skin tightening.

Val Lambros, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Waaaay too early to say anything about anything. The neck needs to do its healing thing for at least 6 months or until the redness in the scar  goes away.  You see the biggest disasters in necklift/ facelift in people who have had secondary surgery too quickly.   The aanterior approach is mainly for chin/ platysma problems. It doesn't do a lot for excess skin in my experience.

Loose skin reappears after neck lift. Is this normal? (Photo)

Answers (10)

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