Category Archives: Revision Surgery
How Do You Correct Too Much Fat Removed During Neck Lift
TJR in Savannah, GA asks:
“If you had too much fat removed from submental liposuction and it caused your muscle bands to show and indentations how would you go about correcting this problem? If you are a PS what would you recommend to fix something like this and what sort of reasonable expectations should a person have in terms of having a normal looking neck again? I am scared and upset so any insight would be appreciated.”
Correction of the described problem can be addressed in several different ways. Specifically it is important to really get an anatomical evaluation and overall sense of what the underlying issues are. It is not an uncommon problem/complication to have “too much fat removed in the neck area” as liposuction is a component of facelift surgery commonly. But also residual band laxity is also not too uncommon. Bands are the platysmal muscle bands that can remain lax after surgery.
A number of treatments are available including repeat platysmal band tightening. This will often times resolve the problem by itself. Other supplemental treatments include fat injections as needed if there is significant contour deformity. This procedure is less common than a simple platysmal muscle repeat tightening. Nonetheless this area can be addressed commonly and long term permanent problems is something not seen too often.
Should a Patient with Botched Surgical Results, Be Required to Pay for a Revision Surgery?
msmmi in sf in Pleasanton, CA asks:
”Should a patient with botched plastic eye and brow lift be required to repay the surgeon for a revision?”
Photo Courtesy of RealSelf.com
Each individual plastic surgeon has his/her protocol in their office. Common protocols include not charging for a second procedure. Many offices and plastic surgeons require a facility fee. Less often full price is charged.
When it comes to the need for a revision procedure, which is a little bit different than “botched surgery”, repeat procedures are common. A certain percentage of patients who have a rhinoplasty or facelift surgery for instance, require touch-up or revision procedure. This can be in the range of 10 to 15% of patients sometimes. Due to the fact that this is not too uncommon, this possibility should be discussed prior to the procedure.
In the instance of a “botched” surgical procedure, a good trusted second party is needed to assist with defining the real true problems. A trustworthy second opinion would help to define whether there truly is a permanent complication or whether there is simply something else such as not getting the results that one desires, or a wound or swelling that should get better with time, etc. Going back to the primary surgeon, getting his/her opinion followed by a second opinion will best assess whether there is a true problem that needs fixing.
Commonly good ethical physicians will provide assistance for correcting surgical related complications at minimal or no charge. But there is no requirement to do so. Your best answer is to try to do the best you can with the primary physician/surgeon to see if he/she will provide correction of a true surgical complication at a reduced fee.
