Before Surgery

Dr. Bentkover will carefully evaluate your neck and discuss with you how to best achieve you goals. His objective is to create a natural appearance that is pleasing to you. He will also take some digital photos of you and simulate various types of lifts with our imaging software. If a submental platysmaplasty will achieve your goals, he will be happy to recommend that procedure for you.  If he thinks you need a full necklift or full facelift instead of a minilift, he will tell you so.

Our staff will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and medications. If you smoke, he will ask you to quit for at least two weeks before and after your surgery, since smoking may have an effect on how well you heal. You must stop all anticoagulant medications or herbal preparations such as aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, gingko, garlic or ginseng 2 weeks prior to surgery. You may be required to take antibiotics to prevent infection. You should shampoo your hair the night before surgery.

The Procedure

As with other minilifts, this procedure is frequently performed in conjunction with a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), forehead lift, chin augmentation, and/or liposuction, to create an overall rejuvenation of the face. The submental platysmaplasty is most commonly performed in the Same Day Surgery Unit of Saint Vincent Hospital at the Worcester Medical Center. General anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is required. The submental platysmaplasty is performed through a small incision under your chin that hides very nicely.

Recovery: What to Expect

You will be given explicit pre- and post-operative instructions. By following these instructions you will minimize potential problems. It is necessary to have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. Your face will be wrapped to help the skin under your chin heal smoothly. We recommend that you avoid the sun after surgery.

Complications are rare. These may include bleeding, infection, loss of skin near the ears, facial nerve injury, discoloration of the skin, numbness, asymmetry and excessive scarring. Infection is rare due to the rich blood supply to the face. The risk of bleeding is greater if you take aspirin or blood thinners within 10 days of the surgery. The risk of wound complications is higher in smokers, diabetics, persons with a history of radiation and autoimmune or collagen diseases.

The healing process is gradual, so you may not appreciate the final result for a few months. Most patients who have had this procedure are pleased with their new, more youthful appearance.