SIx weeks post neck and lower facelift and my neck looks terrible - the doctor says it's large salivary glands and there is nothing he can do about that. Any suggestions?
September 8, 2014
Answer: Prominant Salivary glands or Bumps after Neck Lift I think I would start off by asking you to make sure that it is in fact your submandibular glands (salivary glands) that are the problem. Sometimes extra fat that wasn't removed can look and even feel this way. If it is, options are limited from a cosmetic perspective. The problem with these glands is that there are crucial nerves around them. The Hypoglossal nerve, which controls the movement of your tongue, the Lingual nerve which carries taste and touch from your tongue and a nerve called the marginal mandibular nerve which allows you to move the corner of your mouth. If these are damaged there can be unfortunate complications. Here in Ottawa at my practice I remove submandibular glands for non-cosmetic reasons and it is a surgery that requires skill and knowledge. I would not recommend a cosmetic removal to my patients. Other options include using fillers to try to mask the angles and perhaps blunt the shadowing effect. Using Botox is possible, however the risk is potential temporary paralysis of facial muscles. Also, i can affect swallowing if not done perfectly in this area. Sorry for your trouble with this, but I'd recommend seeing a physician in person to really see what the best options are. James P Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSCOttawa, CanadaOtolaryngology - Head and Neck SurgeryFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Helpful
September 8, 2014
Answer: Prominant Salivary glands or Bumps after Neck Lift I think I would start off by asking you to make sure that it is in fact your submandibular glands (salivary glands) that are the problem. Sometimes extra fat that wasn't removed can look and even feel this way. If it is, options are limited from a cosmetic perspective. The problem with these glands is that there are crucial nerves around them. The Hypoglossal nerve, which controls the movement of your tongue, the Lingual nerve which carries taste and touch from your tongue and a nerve called the marginal mandibular nerve which allows you to move the corner of your mouth. If these are damaged there can be unfortunate complications. Here in Ottawa at my practice I remove submandibular glands for non-cosmetic reasons and it is a surgery that requires skill and knowledge. I would not recommend a cosmetic removal to my patients. Other options include using fillers to try to mask the angles and perhaps blunt the shadowing effect. Using Botox is possible, however the risk is potential temporary paralysis of facial muscles. Also, i can affect swallowing if not done perfectly in this area. Sorry for your trouble with this, but I'd recommend seeing a physician in person to really see what the best options are. James P Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSCOttawa, CanadaOtolaryngology - Head and Neck SurgeryFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Helpful
September 3, 2014
Answer: Prominent submandibular glands after neck lift Thank you for your question. This is indeed a very difficult problem to treat. It's difficult to give you advice without examining you or at least seeing some photographs.Nevertheless, I can share with you my thoughts on prominent submandibular glands and neck lift. First of all, depending how saggy the glands are, a platysmaplasty may be all is needed if the gland is only mildly prominent. However, sometimes that is not enough and you will still have some fullness. Other options include suspend the gland (with sutures) or excise (partially or completely). Suture suspension can work if combined with an extended platysmaplasty to improve moderate sagginess. For severe sagginess, only excision will improve fullness. Excision (partial or complete) comes with it's own set of risks and should not be taken lightly, but it is an option.I would encourage you to discuss this further with your surgeon. Good luck!
Helpful
September 3, 2014
Answer: Prominent submandibular glands after neck lift Thank you for your question. This is indeed a very difficult problem to treat. It's difficult to give you advice without examining you or at least seeing some photographs.Nevertheless, I can share with you my thoughts on prominent submandibular glands and neck lift. First of all, depending how saggy the glands are, a platysmaplasty may be all is needed if the gland is only mildly prominent. However, sometimes that is not enough and you will still have some fullness. Other options include suspend the gland (with sutures) or excise (partially or completely). Suture suspension can work if combined with an extended platysmaplasty to improve moderate sagginess. For severe sagginess, only excision will improve fullness. Excision (partial or complete) comes with it's own set of risks and should not be taken lightly, but it is an option.I would encourage you to discuss this further with your surgeon. Good luck!
Helpful
