A friend of my wife is a respected Plastic Surgeon and she has been after him to "do me" for over a year. He told me about a month ago that he was just starting to do a new laser procedure that he thinks will be minimally invasive and may just be the best procedure for my radiated neck BUT he wanted to get more experience with it before he would make up his mind. Actually I will see him this pm at a party so I will ask him for an update if my brain will remember.

It's called laser tight. Check out www.lasertight.com . I am by no way recommending this but as I said before a well respected local PS has said this MIGHT be suitable for me but he wants to get more experience with it before he will endorse it for me.

Who is your doctor at UCSF? I go up there frequently.

I have discussed a face lift with the plastic surgeon who did my free flap reconstruction. He said that to even out my neck he could do it. I don't think I will "do it." It is not covered by medical insurance, I am 66 and it would have to be be redone in about 15 years, I am tired of surgeries and doctor appointments and would rather not spend the $3500 or so on my face. Besides, I feel that I have put my family through enough already. The almost 6 year old grandson told his mother that he is afraid that my head will fall off where I had my surgery. He should know that just dealing with grown-up life is enough to make you feel like your head is flying off!

I have been to see 3 different reconstructive/cosmetic plastic surgeons recently. Since having my jaw bone removed and reconstructed there is no shape in my chin and I have lost some length in my face. I was wanting to get a chin implant/enhancement.

The answer was a definite NO from all 3 surgeons.

In my situation, it would not be possible because there is not enough skin around that area due to the damage from two neck dissections and radiotherapy, the skin has already been pulled and stretched to the max, not to mention all of the metal plates screwed in around the new jaw bone and the flap I have. That could also cause serious problems.

Because my chin no longer protrudes or has the same shape that it did, the areas below the sides of my mouth down to my jaw line (jowls) were all shrivelled up and wrinkled so I got some Juvederm injectable gel fillers, which I am very happy with. It has put some shape back into the lower part of my face and I will be getting some more into my chin area, which will help improve the shape a little.

I certainly understand that I will never have the same shaped face again, but this has helped.

Karen

When I lost a ton of weight and dropped down to about 165 pounds I was horrified about my face at the age of 37 years old. I went from looking like I was 28 to 45 really quick, maybe older. After gaining about 20 pounds it gave me back years and I feel better. Having some healing issues after radiation I am not sure if I would take the risk of PS. We're all different but it has to be risky even being performed by the best hands in the business.

Karen,

Clark received a similar opinion on filling in a large depression on his face just above his new jaw. The PS stated that radiation damage was too extensive, and the skin too tight. Injecting fat into his face was not a good idea either as it would probably break down into an oily mess and find its way out through a new fistula. Yikes!

I am happy that you are getting good results with the Juvederm.

Anita

This is all quite scary! I just had my first consultation with the PS and it never occurred to me to ask about my chin; I just assumed that this is what they do.

I'm sorry. Can you give me the name of that UCSF plastic surgeon again? I cannot find your reply in these posts. And my email program does not save emails from six months ago.

Thanks so much.

Please tell me the name of that Dr. at UCSF again, I can't find your private reply anymore.