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There are a number of ways to perform the lower face lift and neck lift procedure, depending on the objectives of each person. Liposuction, platysmaplasty and cervicoplasty are available. A lower facelift and neck lift surgery typically includes liposuction for fat removal while the latter procedures focus on excess skin removal and the tightening of neck muscles.
The lower rhytidectomy plastic surgery is also performed in tandem with other facial surgeries, such as an eyelid surgery, brow lift or facelift surgery. Dr. Sheffield is well experienced with plastic surgery procedures and he will examine your facial anatomy. The consultation will also focus on your aesthetic objectives. This allows for a fully customized treatment plan to take place.
NECK LIFT UNDER LOCAL
Contour issues of the neck are frequently age related but not always. Contributing to blunting of the neck line is usually extra subcutaneous fat, skin laxity and muscle (platysmal) bands.
Blunting of the jawline laterally can also be caused by a lower position of of a salivary gland. Traditionally general anesthesia is used in cosmetic surgery with many neck procedures. Removal of fat suction can be selectively used especially for the younger person, however, when skin laxity is an issue skin tightening is necessary. This can be accomplished by the traditional neck lift where incisions are placed just in back of the ear and along the hairline. If bands are present a direct approach can be done. Alternatively, there are thermal skin tightening procedures for wrinkles such as the plasma neck lift Santa Barbara which offer limited incisions.
Over the years Dr. Sheffield has found localalized anesthesia for facial plastic surgery to be more accepting to many patients. Choosing the right cosmetic procedure for each person is the key to the best outcome.
AM I CANDIDATE FOR THE PROCEDURE?
The top candidates are in good physical and psychological health. They also want to be rid of loose neck tissue on their neck and are looking to tighten the lines along the jaw.
THE CONSULTATION
During the consultation, Dr. Sheffield will discuss one’s goals and expectations for the cosmetic surgery procedure. This is how the person is aligned with the treatment that they need.
Medical history (including any past surgical procedures), allergies, present medical conditions, and medications must be discussed. Patients need to be completely honest with this information because of the medical conditions that can increase their risk factors.
If the person is determined to be a viable candidate for lower rhytidectomy, Dr. Sheffield explains the side effects and costs associated with your procedure. Selecting Dr. Sheffield is the best choice for patients in search of a board certified surgeon who is held in the highest esteem by his colleagues.
TYPES OF NECK LIFT SURGERY
Lower rhytidectomy utilizes a number of different procedures and techniques, including:
• Platysmaplasty (muscle sheet realignment): this procedure addresses the looser skin that has accumulated at the front of the person’s neck. Dr. Sheffield makes the necessary incisions under the chin or behind the ears. From there, the neck muscle bands are re-aligned to create a better neck angulation.
Patients who combine the procedure with removal of fat suction should expect a procedure that lasts anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes.
Platysmaplasty relies on the two following techniques:
• Corset Platysmaplasty: Patients who suffer from neck banding or hanging skin rely on this technique.
• Purse String/Hammock Platysmaplasty: this is a technique that male patients tend to rely upon due to the deeper structure of a man’s neck.
Mesh (Alloderm) is used as a “hammock” to keep the neck muscles tight and capture loose skin. When platysma banding occurs, neck muscles are tightened when the surgeon makes hidden incisions below the’s person’s chin. From there, the edges of each side of the muscle are quilted together to formulate a new and improved neckline.
Other techniques include:
• Cervicoplasty: Excess, sagging neck skin is removed from the neck area so that the neck tissue can be re-positioned of the neck tissue to create a more youthful appearance within the contours of the neck.
• Neck Liposuction: By removing fat, a dramatic effect is had. The neck is re-contoured and this procedure also allows for tissue tightening and volume reduction. The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia. Tiny incisions are made underneath the chin and a vacuum device is attached to the surgeon‘s cannula (thin surgical instrument) as a means of suctioning off excess fat.
Smaller fat suction instruments are used in a micro-liposuction to handle the more detailed contouring concerns that take place in certain neck areas.
• Laser Assisted Liposuction: Neck fat is removed with lasers and patients are left with a far more defined jawline silhouette. Patients are injected with a tumescent solution during this procedure. This mixture of epinephrine and local ized anesthesia reduces bleeding and minimizes pain.
The fat becomes swollen and firm, making for a much easier removal. A CO2 laser is utilized to treat the back surface or interior of the neck musculature and skin and musculature. Fat cells are permanently destroyed by the laser’s thermal heat.
• Cervical Lipectomy: A small opening is made underneath the neck and patients looking to remove fatty tissue from the central neck region are assisted. This technique tends to be performed in tandem with platysmaplasty or neck liposuction.
• Submentoplasty: Patients who do not possess the desired amount of laxity for neck skin rely on this procedure. Cervical lipectomy, neck liposuction and platysmaplasty are combined. The T-shaped incision that takes place underneath the chin is well concealed.
