If you hear a slight “gobble-gobble” noise every time you look in the mirror, your ego may be telling you something. You might be saying, “Time you spent on an old-fashioned platysmaplasty site!” In simple terms, platymoplasty is a neck lift operation, a cosmetic procedure that tightens the skin of the neck and limits the turkey neck to history.
Yes, men have turkey necks too, although with the invention of the tie they can hide it more easily than women.
Let’s face it: Unless you have god genes or enjoy two hours a day of excruciating neck-lifting exercises, most of us have necks that start to sag, droop, and generally look less pleasing as we age. Some people believe that women with turkey necks and relatively young faces have had facial plastic surgery; the sad reality is that our necks age much faster than the rest of us. And yes, men have turkey necks too, although with the invention of the tie they can hide it more easily than women.
All about having a platysmaplasty
If the swallowing gets stronger each day, it may be time to consider surgery. While a platysmaplasty may sound scary, there’s a reason – it is! A two to three hour operation in which the skin of the neck is tightened and excess flesh is surgically removed, this procedure is performed under general anesthesia, for the most part, and involves at least one night in hospital.
Your surgeon will make small cuts in the hairline, starting behind and in front of the ears, and then tighten or shorten the muscles to make them appear taut. He or she may also involve some of the old fashioned liposuction to make the jaw appear more chiseled. Some people opt for a combined neck and face lift to achieve an overall more youthful appearance, while others also choose a brow or eye lift.
Regardless of what you choose, the recovery period is not short and you may experience some swollen bruises and other unpleasant side effects for the first few weeks, during which time most people refrain from going to work. In fact, it can take up to six months for a full recovery to occur.
However, the vast majority of people who opt for a neck lift operation are happy with the result, although of course they vary depending on the age of the patient, the elasticity of the skin, etc. It rarely has serious complications, although any surgery involving general anesthesia carries its own risks. To minimize overall risks, look for a reputation and use one certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, or its equivalent.
taking it on the chin
One option for a traditional neck lift is a relatively new procedure called, simply, a (chin) sling. Made entirely of Gore-Tex plastic, it is inserted under the skin from lobe to lobe. The beautiful part is that this is a permanent insertion, and the surgeon can tighten it, when necessary, to make the neck appear taut as well, in a procedure that only takes about 20 minutes. So refills are relatively easy…
An article in the Facial Archives of Plastic Surgery gave the sling a thumbs up, saying that 90 percent of patients who had it in their necks for at least three years were happy with it. Of those who were not, two suffered infections and two required fluid to be drained from the area. The vast majority also said they would recommend the procedure to a friend. No matter the days with your mouth open, then!
Alternatives to surgery
If you want to get rid of turkey neck without going under the knife, try these alternatives…
* The homeopathic “Natural Sculpting System” is advertised as a natural alternative to liposuction and promises to get rid of turkey necks in just a few treatments. A specially made gel and lotion are applied to a specially made cloth and then wrapped around the targeted area. Voila, no more gobble gobble, or so the manufacturers say…
* Although most plastic surgeons would say that having a turkey neck is generally due to genetics, some people say that specific exercises can keep that old piece of bird at bay. Try to “guerning” regularly in the mirror, gargle with mouthwash for a minute or more at least twice a day, and/or do exercises that make your neck fully tense, then hold the position for up to ten minutes at a time. the time.
* If you have a lot of wrinkles on your neck, you may want to consider Botox injections, which will relax the muscles and make the wrinkles less noticeable.
* Invest in lotions and potions to spread on your neck that stimulate collagen production.
* Thermage. This med-spa technique consists of heating deep layers of the skin where collagen is found, to stimulate its production and therefore improve skin elasticity. Skin looks tight and pores appear smaller. What is there not to like?
* Smartlipo. This is used to reduce the appearance of a double chin and make the neck look more elegant. Both the neck and jowls take on a new, more contoured look as fat is melted away and collagen tightened with a fine fiber laser tool. Sometimes paired with Thermage for a double attack against the old bird.
If you decide that plastic surgery is your only option, remember that it rarely works miracles and you shouldn’t expect to go under the knife looking like Winston Churchill and wake up looking like Pamela Anderson. Realistic expectations are necessary when it comes to performing any type of cosmetic procedure, so discuss the procedure well in advance with your surgeon and fully understand what you are doing.
If you don’t want surgery and no other alternative seems to make your turkey neck recede, remember that investing in a brightly colored turtleneck or scarf can work wonders. And if all else fails, you can always save money by buying that turkey next Thanksgiving…