Submentoplasty with neck contouring

I am 35 years old and have despised my inherited “ski slope” neck line and general neck laxicity. I just sort of had the attitude of “it is what it is,” but after a series of particularly unflattering photos, I decided to do something about it. I met with Dr. Cuzalina as he was the surgeon who performed my breast reduction. I had a rare complication post-op, and he took excellent care of me. After discussion, he told me that neck liposuction, which I initially considered, wouldn’t give me the results I wanted. Because my condition was inherited, the major pocket of fat was below the platsyma muscle and couldn’t be accessed with the liposuction cannula. After a brief crisis of conscience in which I felt that I was being disloyal to my dad, I scheduled my procedure.

The surgery went great, and I saw myself without bandages when I went to take a shower 24 hours post-op. I have a neck! I can’t believe it! It is amazing! The swelling is INTENSE, but not much bruising. The drain is particularly annoying. Not much in the way of pain. It’s just VERY tight!

I am SO swollen and everything is super tight. I had my one week follow-up, and the doc says all is healing well and that the swelling is just normal lymphatic response. I have some symmetrical lower lip weakness that is causing my smile and speech to be abnormal. The doctor assured me that it will come back. It makes me feel like it draws more attention to my face, but that could just be me.