Surgeon recommended deep plane lower facelift and submental neck lipo. Would this be considered a true neck lift? (photos)

​A combination of non-surgical options like Kybella, PDO NovaThreads, Ultherapy and Thermage would do well in combination for skin tightening for the neck. VASER Liposuction (with ThermiRF, Renuvion and InMode FaceTite) is a great alternative for contouring and tightening the chin and neck and can be combined with a neck lift at the same time, if you're a candidate. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to develop a long-term treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer.​

Based on these photos, you seem to be a good candidate for lower face/neck lift. Tightening of platysma muscle through submental incision (underneath the chin) by means of platysmoplasty and shaping of both deep and superficial fat compartments in that area, should be significant part of this surgery. SMAS based face and neck lift would be my choice, including pre and post-auricular incisions/scars. Good luck.

Thank you for the question. There are numerous techniques and approaches in face and neck lift surgery, and a lot depends on the surgeon's preference, as most achieve equal results provided that they are well executed. You should discuss the plan with your surgeon, and ask to see before and after photos specific to the proposed technique. I wish you the best of luck. Vasileios Vasilakis, MD. Double board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Houston. TX.

A deep plane technique to one surgeon may mean different things to another. First an extensive deep plane would’ve helped the lines lateral to the oral commissures. Second a deep plane also extends in the neck under the platysma almost up to the midline and can be pulled back to the mastoid. Thick ropey scars behind the ears indicates a heavy skin pull. It should’ve pulled the medial platysmal bands apart. It didn’t look like much lipo was needed but since the midline has more of a platysmal problem, a platysmaplasty would’ve been helpful. However an extensive deep plane technique does not necessarily need a midline incision to achieve neck lift results.

A deep plane lower face and neck lift with neck liposuction would be a complete neck lift combined with a lower face lift. To clarify you can ask your surgeon if the incisions behind the ears will go back along the hairline toward the back of the neck. A deep plane lift is a powerful lift which will lift and tighten the lower face and neck and result in redundant skin which must be removed to achieve best results. This does entail a longer incision behind the ears but is essential for best results in the neck. The neck liposuction is also important to remove the extra fat in the neck which will not only improve the neck line but will also assist in tightening the neck skin. Sounds like you are on the right track. Just make sure you get all your questions answered before the procedure.

It's very important that you understand the goals of a lower face and neck lift procedure. From the limited photographs presented, You have significant skin laxity in the neck, fat deposits located both above and below the platysma muscle in the neck, and platysma muscle cords. This would require incisions in front and behind the ears in addition to 1 inch incision underneath the chin to accomplish rejuvenation of your neck.