Boca Beautiful

by Dr. Daniel Man

As we age, the muscles and skin of our neck and lower face begin to sag and lose its definition. Jowls may form as muscles loosen and fat deposits along the jaw line.  Fat is also deposited under the chin, causing the neck to become thick and wide.  The neck muscles weaken and separate; and bands form, which further weaken the shape and structure of the neck, causing a "turkey gobbler" effect.   

It sounds like you might benefit from a procedure called a neck lift.  A neck lift helps to remove excess loose skin and fat under the neck by tightening muscles and re-draping skin.  This procedure can produce excellent results by improving the neck, jaw line, and cord-like structures in the front of the neck; it is also used to help correct a double chin.

A neck lift is performed under local I.V. or general anesthesia and usually takes two to three hours.  While recovering, you may experience some numbness, swelling, or bruising.  Recovery takes time and it's important that you're patient with the process.  Most people can return to work in about a week.

Neck lifts are often performed in conjunction with a facelift, although they can be performed alone.  In addition, endoscopic techniques are often used to remove excess fat and tighten muscles of the neck.  In some cases,  suction techniques may be all that is required to remove excess fat from the neck.  

There are many factors that can contribute to loose and sagging skin in the neck, including aging, genetics, or a major weight loss.

Whatever the reason, people young and old undergo neck lift procedures all the time; and they enjoy long-term, natural-looking improvements.  I recommend that you visit a board-certified plastic surgeon for a consultation to decide which procedure is right for you.

Email your questions or comments to askdrman@yahoo.com