Surgical options for sternocleidomastoid removal with platysmaplasty? (photos)

Question

I am a 44 year old woman with relatively decent elasticity of face and neck. However my platysmals and sternocleidomastoid muscles are out of control and it is obliterating my self esteem. Are there SURGICAL options to correct both? I've pumped thousands of dollars of Botox to try to minimize it and unfortunately it just doesn't touch it. Not interested in micro needling or laser options, only surgical correction. I'm not sure how to find the most qualified physician for this.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Tightening of the platysma and removal/redraping of skin will be accomplished with a well performed facelift.  The appearance of the sterrnocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is often enhanced by these maneuvers.  However, the SCM should be left alone surgically to avoid distortion as seen in  patients who have had neck dissections.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you have so thin subcuteneous tissue (fat underneath the skin) that every single muscle band is visible. One of the options is to transect all platysma muscle and  tighten it posteriorly. I would not  suggest any treatment for SCM muscle since it is very functional muscle of the neck/head. In person consultation with a plastic surgeon, board certified, with extensive experience in face/neck lifts, is recommended. Good luck.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hi there! As an ENT, the only time we remove the SCM muscle is during radical neck procedures to treat cancer. The SCM muscle helps to turn the head and protect the underlying blood vessels like the carotid. I would advise against anything which removes the muscles and I'm unaware of thinning or reducing them in size. The platysmal bands can be addressed with a platysmaplasty, but I would leave the SCM muscles alone. Hope this helps!

Surgical options for sternocleidomastoid removal with platysmaplasty? (photos)

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Surgical options for sternocleidomastoid removal with platysmaplasty? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.