Scar Tissue/adhesion Formation After Neck Lift?

Question

After 2 neurologists, an MRI, CT & ultrasound it appears that I have a compression neuropathy (due to adhesions/scar tissue growth) post neck lift surgery. The plastic surgeon that performed the surgery is not forthcoming. I have a noose-like sensation that started only in the platysmal area on the rt side and is creeping to left. My surgeon insists he did not use permanent or suspension sutures. I am an MD and am appalled at the lack of help. Any advise as the discomfort is now unbearable.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello edrio The scars from your necklift may be noticeable for some time after your surgery, but they can easily be hidden with some make-up tips and tricks that you can learn from our experienced BioSpa staff.Your necklift scars will lessen in appearance and mature over the course of a year from your surgery.  It is after this time that the true restorative effects of your necklift result will be apparent. #scar #tissue

Jeffrey Epstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Very unusual, and quite frankly, this is the first time I have ever heard of this.  Likely a tough problem to improve, likely I’d try some steroid injections first. Good luck.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

The only treatment I know of for this is time and ultrasound treatments often help. No steroid injections.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

As an MD yourself, you should have a better understanding of that pathophysiology of such problems. Which nerve is suspected of being injured? And what are your symptoms? We all know where the nerves are and if there is no suturing done around the nerve, how can there be a compression neuropathy? There are always other possibilities.

Scar Tissue/adhesion Formation After Neck Lift?

Answers (6)