How much does it cost to have a laser neck surgery to tighten skin?

July 18th, 2009
Michael Kulick, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hello,

Your question brings up a good topic that is misunderstood by patients – the word LASER. A laser can be used to divide tissue instead of a knife or scissors. I do this but not many doctors use this technology to actually do laser cutting surgery — to dissect the tissue off the neck or face. In my hands, I find there is a distinct advantage to such a procedure and have published a book and papers on this method.

Then there is the use of a laser to tighten the skin. This is not a cutting type of surgery but a burning of the skin, which as it heals, tightens the skin — either face or neck (the latter is tricky).

Then there is the use of a laser under the skin of the neck. This is relatively new and not as controllable as the other two uses of lasers mentioned above.  The heat from the laser can melt the fat and also tighten the neck skin.

Thus, you can see how the use of the word “laser” combined with surgery and neck skin tightening require a good deal of communication between the patient and the doctor.  The most dramatic results in my hands and from what I have seen in terms of removing / reducing “extra” skin in the neck would be in the order I answered your question. The cost would vary depending on which you had performed, where you live, expectations, etc. Right now, the range would be from $3,000 to $8,000.

Hope this helps.

Lifestyle facelift – false Positive reviews

July 15th, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/technology/internet/15lift.html?_r=1

Lifestyle Lift is  to pay $300,000 in penalties and costs to the state of New York for having it’s employees write positive reviews of their facelift procedure as if they were satisfied customers.  The  New York Times published this information in today’s paper.

Evaluation of the combination of radio frequency, infrared energy and mechanical rollers with suction to improve skin surface irregularities (cellulite) in a limited treatment area

July 14th, 2009

Evaluation of the combination of radio frequency, infrared energy and mechanical rollers with suction to improve skin surface irregularities (cellulite) in a limited treatment area
- Click here to download this article as a pdf. If you don’t have adobe acrobat reader, click here to download it for free.

Articles By Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D.
These educational medical articles are written by Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D. — board certified Plastic Surgeon and Medical Doctor in San Francisco, California. These articles have been provided as useful information for people considering plastic surgery.

If you have any questions, want to reprint these articles, or have Dr. Kulick speak at an event please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kulick’s Office at:

450 Sutter Street Suite 2620

San Francisco, CA 94108

Evaluation of the KTP 532 Laser in Aesthetic Facial Surgery

July 14th, 2009

Evaluation of the KTP 532 Laser in Aesthetic Facial Surgery
- Click here to download this article as a pdf. If you don’t have adobe acrobat reader, click here to download it for free.

Articles By Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D.
These educational medical articles are written by Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D. — board certified Plastic Surgeon and Medical Doctor in San Francisco, California. These articles have been provided as useful information for people considering plastic surgery.

If you have any questions, want to reprint these articles, or have Dr. Kulick speak at an event please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kulick’s Office at:

450 Sutter Street Suite 2620

San Francisco, CA 94108

Photorejuvenation: Using Intense Pulsed Light Technology in a Cosmetic Surgery Practice

July 14th, 2009

Photorejuvenation: Using Intense Pulsed Light Technology in a Cosmetic Surgery Practice
- Click here to download this article as a pdf. If you don’t have adobe acrobat reader, click here to download it for free.

Articles By Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D.
These educational medical articles are written by Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D. — board certified Plastic Surgeon and Medical Doctor in San Francisco, California. These articles have been provided as useful information for people considering plastic surgery.

If you have any questions, want to reprint these articles, or have Dr. Kulick speak at an event please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kulick’s Office at:

450 Sutter Street Suite 2620

San Francisco, CA 94108

Analysis of Histologic and Clinical Changes Associated With Polaris WR Treatment of Facial Wrinkles

July 14th, 2009

Analysis of Histologic and Clinical Changes Associated With Polaris WR Treatment of Facial Wrinkles
- Click here to download this article as a pdf. If you don’t have adobe acrobat reader, click here to download it for free.

Articles By Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D.
These educational medical articles are written by Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D. — board certified Plastic Surgeon and Medical Doctor in San Francisco, California. These articles have been provided as useful information for people considering plastic surgery.

If you have any questions, want to reprint these articles, or have Dr. Kulick speak at an event please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kulick’s Office at:

450 Sutter Street Suite 2620

San Francisco, CA 94108

Evaluation of a combined laser-radio frequency device (Polaris WR) for the nonablative treatment of facial wrinkles

July 14th, 2009

Evaluation of a combined laser-radio frequency device (Polaris WR) for the nonablative treatment of facial wrinkles
- Click here to download this article as a pdf. If you don’t have adobe acrobat reader, click here to download adobe reader for free.

Articles By Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D.
These educational medical articles are written by Dr. Michael Kulick, M.D. — board certified Plastic Surgeon and Medical Doctor in San Francisco, California. These articles have been provided as useful information for people considering plastic surgery.

If you have any questions, want to reprint these articles, or have Dr. Kulick speak at an event please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kulick’s Office at:

450 Sutter Street Suite 2620

San Francisco, CA 94108

Choosing to have Plastic Surgery is an Important Decision

July 14th, 2009

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), established in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world.

Whether you’re considering cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery, you want the skill of an ASPS Member Surgeon—a doctor with more than six years of surgical training and experience, with at least three years specifically in plastic surgery. Their training and experience make them uniquely qualified to perform your cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.

IMCAS Meeting in Paris, France – January 2009

July 14th, 2009

Paris, France

Dr Kulick returned from Paris France where he spoke at the international IMCAS meeting. At this meeting, he presented the data from his study evaluating the ability of the SmoothShapes device to reduce skin irregularities such as cellulite on the lateral thigh. The results are very promising. This study is in its final phase and the final data will be available soon.

ASAPS Meeting in Las Vegas Nevada – May 2009

July 14th, 2009

Dr. Kulick will be spoke at the annual ASAPS Meeting in Las Vegas Nevada. He shared his cosmetic expertise with other plastic surgeons, aestheticians and nurses.

The ASAPS / ASERF Meeting was a focused representation of the global specialty to openly share cosmetic surgery challenges, methodology and outcome studies. The goal was to fortify the improvement of patient care and cultivation of patient safety through education –cornerstones of our organization and specialty.  The Aesthetic Society diligently works towards “culture of safety” throughout the scientific and educational course offerings.