Have you heard the term “turkey neck?” This unflattering terminology is how many people describe the sagging and loose skin under the jawline and neck. This so-called “turkey waddle” can be eliminated with a surgical procedure called platysmaplasty (a neck lift procedure).
At Premier Plastic Surgery in Pearland, Texas, Dr. Christopher Hankins performs neck lift procedures to expertly remove excess sagging skin and tighten the skin to restore the natural contour of your neckline. This procedure is a component of a facelift or rhytidectomy.
Dr. Hankins’ many years of education, experience, and training provide his patients masterful and artistic results. Dr. Hankins explains that, during the aging process, there is a dehiscence of the platysma from the deep cervical fascia. The result is the formation of platysmal bands (the two folds of skin that go vertically from the chin down the front of the neck) and redundancy of this thin muscular layer.
The submental area (beneath the chin) is a frequent excess fatty tissue accumulation site. If excess fat is present, it is removed by a combination of liposuction and direct excision, exposing the underlying platysmal layer.
The two leaves of the platysma are then approximated in the midline to restore the contour of the neck. A facelift may initially correct the appearance of platysmal bands, but the excess sagging skin can reoccur if the platysma itself is not repaired. If the chin is retrusive or doesn’t adequately protrude forward to give an excellent balance to the lower face, a chin implant can be placed to enhance the result further.