A turkey is great when it’s on your table for thanksgiving dinner. But, developing a turkey neck or a “turkey-wattle” is the exact opposite – it’s downright humiliating! The worst part is that you can’t get rid of it through exercise or diet alone.

But, just because diet and exercise can’t do the trick, it doesn’t mean you have to live with that “overweight and old” look. There are procedures out there that can help you get rid of your turkey wattle. We’re going to look at one of those procedures in this blog.

But, before that, let’s find out what causes a turkey wattle.

Causes of a Turkey Wattle

There are a number of reasons why you might develop a turkey wattle. You may be genetically predisposed to it or it might occur as a result of sudden and drastic weight loss. Sudden weight loss can prevent the skin over your neck from adapting to the change quick enough. This results in the skin becoming saggy, which, in turn, leads to the formation of fatty jowls.

Apart from all of that, even the aging process can cause a turkey wattle due to the loss in skin elasticity,

The Solution: A Neck Lift

One of the best ways to fix a turkey wattle is to go in for a procedure known as a neck lift or lower rhytidectomy surgery. The procedure allows your surgeon to lift and tighten the skin around your neck to create a more young-looking neck contour.

The neck lift also allows for the removal of excess skin, improvement in the appearance of the neck bands, improved definition of one’s facial shape, and improvement of the neck’s shape. Though a neck lift can be carried out as an individual procedure, your surgeon may combine it with a facelift for enhanced results.

The Procedure

The neck lift procedure starts with incisions being made behind the ears or under the chin. After that, the platysma muscle is tightened and sewn in a procedure known as corset Platysmaplasty. This is very similar to how shoelaces are secured.  

After that, all the excess skin and fat is removed carefully. Then, the skin and tissue are repositioned and held in place using sutures. Finally, the incisions are closed and drains are placed to drain out excess fluids. The last step involves bandaging the wounds.

Recovery

Your surgeon will keep you informed on when you can return to your normal routine. You will be provided with post-surgical instructions to help you heal quickly and achieve the desired results. In general, it can take a few months to get back to normal.

Other than that, you will be required to follow instructions concerning post-surgical care. You will also be required to follow up with your doctor after a few weeks. He will assess the progress of your healing over the course of time.

You can expect some mid bruising after the procedure. However, this will disappear in a matter of days. There may be a sensation of tightness and numbness as well, which will be resolved in a few months.

Contact Our Office

If you’re looking to get a more attractive profile with a slim neck and youthful features, board-certified surgeon, Dr. Wayne Lee can help. Contact our office to schedule your initial consultation today!