Neck Band Surgery (Submentoplasty)
Patients who visit Palo Alto Dermatology Institute for neck band surgery often do so because the changes in the appearance of their neck have become too dramatic. The development of these bands is a completely natural part of the aging process but, unfortunately, they can make us look much older than we really are. There are two main reasons for this. First, neck bands create the appearance of sagging in the neck line, which is associated with aging and gravity. Second, they remove contour from the neck line. To address these changes and bring definition to the neck, your Palo Alto Dermatology Institute surgeon may perform neck band surgery otherwise known as a submentoplasty or platysmaplasty procedure. The neck band procedure is an add-on procedure during a neck liposuction, Precision Tx or Sidelaze procedure, and a Vertical Vector Face Lift. The addition of a neck band procedure dramatically improves the neck contour under the chin, and achieves a more youthful appearance.
Although it is commonly performed with neck liposuction, Sidelaze or Precision TX, a face lift or a neck lift, neck band surgery is a very distinct procedure that focuses on repairing the structures of the platysmal muscles under the skin of the midline neck. Typically, neck bands appear from the gradual gravity-induced droop of the platysmal muscles. The lines you notice running from the bottom of the chin to the bottom of the neck are the edges of those muscles.
During the procedure that follows neck liposuction that removes the excess fat of the neck under the chin, your Palo Alto Dermatology Institute surgeon will make a small extension of the neck liposuction incision. Through this small incision hidden in the crease in the underside of the chin, the surgeon will be able to view these muscles under the skin with fiberoptic lighting and perform the tightening. This process sutures the edges of the platysmal bands together and creates a smoother appearance in the neck. Furthermore, if you are also experiencing a loss of neck skin elasticity, a face or neck lift can be performed along with the submentoplasty to tighten the skin. Precision TX, formerly called Sidelaze laser, is a valuable laser technique that tightens the skin without additional incisions as an alternative to facelift surgery.
Neck band surgery is designed to treat the vertical lines that appear in the neck with age. These lines are caused by the edges of the platysma muscles and are not the same thing as neck fat or a double chin. Neck band surgery brings the muscle edges together to create a smoother appearance. Additional techniques may be needed to address loss of skin laxity or a double chin.
When performed by the expert surgeons at Palo Alto Dermatology Institute, neck band surgery is a safe procedure with a minimal occurrence of side effects. However, it is important to allow enough time for recovery, as the neck plays a central role in your day-to-day activities, and it will be important to relax for several days after surgery.
Palo Alto Dermatology Institute patients typically need to take several days off work for neck band surgery similar to neck liposuction alone. As with neck liposuction, a compression bandage is worn for three days as part of the recovery.
Your body will need time to heal from neck band surgery before you can see the full improvement. However, immediately after surgery the neck will look smoother and rejuvenated. Although you may notice dramatic improvement in the first few days, the complete improvement will take several months to show the final result.
With any surgical procedure, bleeding, swelling, nerve injury, and infection are always a possibility. To significantly reduce the chance of infection and bleeding, it is important to follow all after care instructions given by your surgeon.
Disclaimer
Treatment results will vary, talk to a practitioner to see if this treatment or procedure is right for you.
