The neck has long been a symbol of beauty. The necklineis associated with strength, beauty, assertiveness, as wellas weight loss/gain. Having excess skin, fat or bands can driveconfidence to an all–time low. Thankfully, we have solutions:
The classic fix for a neck has been a facelift. Technically,isolated neck lifts can lead to “dog ears”; extra pieces of heapedup skin around the earlobe. These dog ears can be cured bycontinuing up along side of the ear to finish the facelift. “Agood facelift is a good necklift,” my Plastic Surgery instructorsused to say.
Plastic surgery is an importantdecision, as is selecting a plastic surgeon.
The American Society of PlasticSurgeons (ASPS), established in 1931,is the largest plastic surgery specialtyorganization in the world.
Whether you’re considering cosmeticor reconstructive plastic surgery,you want the skill of an ASPSMember Surgeon: a doctor withmore than six years of surgical trainingand experience, and at least threeyears specifically in plastic surgery.Their training and experience makethem uniquely qualified to performyour cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.
1) Necks with minimal sagging skin and “bands”: Theseare best treated with isolated botox injections rather than“corset platymaplasty”. This involves placing sutures betweenthe two bands of muscles and tightening these bands together.A neck lift: pulling the neck upwards and outwards combinedwith a facelift can help as well. No liposuction or Smart Lipois needed.
2) Weight gain in men and women can produce a bulgein the “sub mental” or below the middle part of the neck. Inyounger patients with good skin tone, this can be removedvia Smart Lipo (laser lipo + regular lipo). This is done in theoffice under local anesthesia and can take as little as 15 minutes(awake). Smart Lipo is a laser assisted lipo that we startedperforming here in May 2007. It is able to shrink skin and meltfat.
3) Heavier necks in men and women will require a combinationof tactics to achieve the desired result. This exampleshows how neck lipo will not helpwithout a facelift, necklift and possiblylipo (preferably Smart Lipo andRegular Lipo). There is excess skin,fat and possibly bands which may requireplatysmoplasty (discussed earlier).
4) Male necks: Most male neckshave minimal skin excess and mostlyfat deposits. This can be handled bydirect fat excision, SmartLipo, regularLipo or “direct excision “. Theaging population is most often okaywith incisions on the neck, but checkwith me about this incision.
The neck is fascinating , complexand has multiple treatment possibilities.I hope this article creates some stimulating discussionswith your plastic surgeon. Most of these procedures can bedone in the office under local anesthesia with oral sedation.But make sure you go to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
