Neck Lift After Nonsurgical Treatments: Fibrosis, Fat Loss, and Surgical Complexity.

Background: Noninvasive neck treatments, including lipolysis injectables, cryolipolysis, and energy-based devices, have become popular alternatives to surgery. While marketed as safe and effective, these procedures may induce fibrosis, tissue destruction, and anatomical changes that complicate secondary surgical interventions.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of prior noninvasive neck treatments on surgical complexity, intraoperative findings, and outcomes in secondary neck lift procedures.

Methods: A retrospective review of 180 neck lift procedures performed in 2023 by a single surgeon was conducted. Patient demographics, prior treatments, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Of 180 patients, 123 (68%) had prior neck treatments, including surgical neck lift and/or noninvasive therapies including chemolipolysis (Kybella), cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting), radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis (FaceTite, Morpheus8, SmartLipo, Ultherapy, Profound), and suture suspension (MyEllevate, PDO threads). Intraoperative findings in patients having undergone non-surgical treatments revealed fibrosis, loss of normal tissue planes, platysma and deep fascia rigidity, and unpredictable fat distribution. A deep cervicoplasty with management of subplatysma structures were required in 94% of the cases. While no major complications occurred, nearly all patients exhibited contour irregularities postoperatively from the destruction of the supraplatysma fat and platysma. In all cases there was an increased operative time.

Conclusions: Noninvasive neck treatments significantly alter tissue architecture, increasing surgical complexity and impacting aesthetic outcomes. Surgeons should anticipate these challenges, modify techniques accordingly, and emphasize thorough preoperative evaluation and patient counseling to anticipate increased risk and optimize results.