neck lift

[jojoromano]

Hi I just had a revision procedure that included neck lift to correct my platysma muscles. I originally had liposuction and a thread lift done to rejuvenate my lower part of my face. I didn't want anything invasive so opted for the thread lift with lipo under the chin and lightly underneath my jawline. After the healing was done it was obvious that the procedure did not obtain good results and exposed my platysma bands and had much indentations where the thread lift was placed under my jaw. As a result my PS recommended neck lift to correct it. Anyway so far I'm two weeks into the healing process and I'm very concerned about my lower lip being paralyzed. When I smile my lower lip does not go down like my other side and has created a crooked smile. I was told this sometimes happens when the nerve gets stretched and its temporary and should come back to normal after a few weeks. My question to anyone out there is, is this true and has anyone suffered permanent paralysis?

[seroma]

I had a neck lift w platysmal plication and suffered every complication one can including the lower lip
paralysis. The lip movement did return. I ended up with a changed smile however because a spot on the side of my smile did not return
I took forever to figure out what was different. It is barely noticeable
But still its enough to mek me wish I had chosen a more experienced PS. He had only performed this a few dozen times and they lied and made me think he did these all the time!
It took me 2
  years to heal and I need a revision already. PS is very scary make sure you have a great Dr to anyone thinking of doing this!

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

The problem is probably dysfunction of the marginal mandibular nerve which loops over the lateral neck below the jaw line and beneath the plastysma muscle.  Paralysis of the lip as a result of trauma to this nerve is often temporary, but may take several months for full function to return.  

[jojoromano]

Hey seroma, I  just got back from seeing the PS. He tried to drain the side of my neck but no fluid came out. He said I still have a lot of swelling. He also told me he was going to have his neurologist call me so she can take a look at it. He told me that 99% of the time these injuries do fully recover. That is reassuring, but when it's your smile that isn't working right you tend to freak out about it! How long did it take before your smile came back? Just keeping you updated. My smile has maybe gotten a tad bit better but not much :(

[jojoromano]

Thanks for all the encouragement!!!! It's been 17 teen days now since my neck lift surgery which included taking out the thread lift. I'm still not able to smile but feeling a little better emotionally! :) I still have crying spells but as long as I don't look in the mirror they are less often. I see my PS tomorrow and will be asking more questions. One of my questions will be was it possible when he took out the threads it could have cut the nerve under my jaw where they were placed. The reason being is because that is where I had the fluid build up at and also where the threads were taken out. That is of course also the side my depressor anguli oris is not functioning on. I am also going to ask him about having a emg test done to determine the integrity of my nerve and it's prognosis for full recovery. Yeah you are right I am thankful I don't live in Japan so sad what happened in that part of the world. Wow, you are a very courageous person to have had more plastic surgery after everything you've been through. I don't know if I will ever forget the emotional trauma this has put on my physiological mind. But you are right worrying about it won't help but wish I could tell that to my brain and it actually listen!! lol Take care, I will keep you posted :)

[seroma]

Hang in there!! It almost always comes back! Especially if u had a seroma too
That causes a lot of trama to the tissue. Gosh I was doing warm compresses forever! They really helped me feel better. Salt is your enemy! Avoid it cause it will make u swell up. I alternated warm and cold compresses. I had to have a second surgery shortly after the first one because I had a weird reaction to the deep sutures that r supposed disolve over time. My throat swelled up like a friggin bullfrog! I had a good jawline and no double chin and it gave me a double chin! It's all healed now and while some things r better other places are worse. Over all I am left somewhat satisfied and if I had to do it all over, I would but with a more experienced PS. I will say my surgeon was understanding and caring and really worked with me to omprove things as best he could. The lip thing did come back! No one would even know what I am talking about unless I really point it out. So don't worry. I went through a lot and ended up looking just fine and even with some improvement. Keep draining that seroma. They have a tendency to make your face spongy kind of for a long time. Swelling and then it goes away and then swells again. that's why staying away from salt helps. Your smile will come bacl. I thought the same thing about my smile and it was a long healing! Jeas louise hey at least we r not in Japan! Hang in there and keep practicing your vowels to get the muscles moving. God my mouth was so crooked! I had another surgery like 20 year ago for cheekbones and half my face was paralyzed for 2 months! It came backl too! It is pretty common from the trauma.
Please let us know in about 8 weeks how it is comeing along (or sooner) just let us know how it is going. Be patient. You'll be fine I'm sure. Don't worry it won't help! :)

[jojoromano]

I agree PS is very scary and most people don't know the risk involved till something bad happens to them. I'm so glad you made it through a difficult healing process gives me hope. I have a seroma too and had it drained about 4 days ago. My neck is very swollen on the side my lip is paralyzed on, but since he drained it the swelling seems to be a tad bit better. I'm only 43 yrs old and my neck was never my issue but every since I met my PS it has turned into a nightmare. I am definitely worse off and my looks are not improved and now I have facial paralysis. Only time well tell what my poor neck really will look like. I can only imagine it will be worse off considering the trauma it's been put through unnecessarily.

[jojoromano]

Thank you Dr. Rosenberg for your insight. I sure hope mine will resolve soon and I don't fall victim to a permanent case. Not knowing for sure and waiting is very stressful. I guess patience is a virtue in my case. Hope your weekend is a pleasant one~

[jojoromano]

That is very comforting to know that your lip returned somewhat to normal. I have been through a lot from all this and I've been feeling so a lone in my misery. I have learned a big lesson in trying to fool mother nature and that is,~ we all get older and learning to except it is much better then trying to hide it~ God made us the way were are and when we try to intervene and look for ways to stop the natural aging process we may not like the outcome!! I believe most PS are good people and try to make people look and feel young again. I just wish I had better luck and every day I pray my smile comes back. If I had anything going for myself it was my smile. Now every time I look in the mirror I cry~