Neck Lift: Still Have Thick Tissue Under Chin

Photo Courtesy of Ralself.com

vwbusmama in California asks:

“I am 8 weeks post op after having a neck lift with platysmaplasty. I had a lot of fluid build up in the center of my neck after surgery and the doctor shot steroids into it twice. I still have a lot of thick tissue under my jawline. It is especially apparent when I look upwards. I have been massaging it but it doesn’t seem to get better. I’m concerned because everything I read from the doctors seems to suggest that healing is complete after 2-4 weeks. Can this thickening be permanent?”

Underneath the chin is probably the most challenging area to resolve problems with neck lift or facelift type surgery. Essentially in most instances liposculpture is required, as well as some form of tightening, tightening to the platysmal bands and deeper fascial muscle tissue. Many times incisions in the submental area are required to address this somewhat delicate area. In many instances the area can be quite satisfactory in the early postoperative period, but there are a high percentage of instances where fullness and firmness in this area is present a month and even two months postoperative. I think of three months as a reasonable time period postoperative to assess the result in this area, although sometimes even longer time frames such as six months or a year are required. Treatment modalities to this area include on occasion steroid injections, as well as bandage application for firm pressure on the area to assist with the healing. But nonetheless, two months is not unusual to still have fullness in this area. Revision true procedures to this region range from 1% to 10% in frequency, but the decision for additional procedure should be addressed no sooner than the six month mark. Nonetheless at two months further patience is required.

- Dr Santos-Facial Beauty.com