Sydney plastic surgeon Dr Darryl Hodgkinson explains surgery to correct double chins, jowling and ‘turkey necks’.

BEFORE & AFTER facelift and neck lift, upper and lower eyelid surgery and dermabrasion by Dr Darryl Hodgkinson

As we approach the mid-50s, the muscles in our neck, called the platysma muscles, sag and advance forward, causing heavy bands to form in the neck, similar to a dewlap in a horse or sometimes referred to as a ‘chook’ or ‘turkey’ neck. Other additional problems are laxity of skin as well as an accumulation of fat underneath the chin and jaw area.

In my opinion, minor non-surgical or minimal incision procedures can not effectively address the platysma muscle; surgical intervention is needed to eliminate a ‘turkey’ neck and other age-related changes to the neck and jaw area.

Many patients think a neck lift is separate from a facelift but in fact the neck is connected to the jowl area and around the mouth, which has also likely sagged partially or significantly along with the neck and needs to be corrected at the same time.

BEFORE & AFTER facelift and neck lift by Dr Darryl Hodgkinson

Utilising incisions that are hidden within the hair as well as within and behind the ear, and a small incision under the chin, a surgical neck and jowl lift (platysmaplasty) can be performed together. The total operative time is approximately two to two-and-a-half hours and this is performed as an outpatient surgical procedure under a light general anaesthetic or with intravenous sedation.

Re-establishing a defined jaw and neck angle results in a patient looking a lot younger and more toned. Many of my patients are quite concerned about a double chin or turkey neck, more so than the appearance of their eye and brow area. The platysmaplasty procedure has continually evolved over the past 30 years, offering the suitable patient effective results in re-establishing a dynamic, more youthful appearance. The case studies above show two patients presenting with ‘turkey’ necks which were corrected using my modification of the Fogli platysma elevation/neck lift.