Neck Contouring Before & After Case 1179

This 61 year old existing patient of Dr. Parker’s asked Dr. Parker to improve the contour of her neck, saying she was not bothered by the appearance of her face. After examining the patient, Dr. Parker explained her skin laxity was such that he could more effectively improve the contour of her neck by combining her neck lift with a facelift. Doing this would allow him to lift the skin as well as the deeper tissues (SMAS in the face, platysma in the neck ) in both an upward and backward direction improving her neck contour more effectively than could be accomplished with a neck lift alone. The direction of pull in an isolated neck lift is posteriorly and not upward as in a face and neck lift. For that reason, it is not as effective in an older patient with less skin elasticity in improving the neck contour. The patient said she understood all of this and had Dr. Parker perform a biplaner SMAS facelift and deep plane neck lift. The patient had a normal recovery period--it was not prolonged by the face and neck lift versus an isolated neck lift. She is very happy with her rejuvenated and natural looking face and neck.