Meet Dr. Thomas Buonassisi, Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

As one of Canada’s top cosmetic facial surgeons, Dr. Thomas Buonassisi leads the team at 8 West Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Clinic and carries extensive experience, having performed facial cosmetic surgery for over 20 years. Dr. Buonassisi has travelled the world to train with renowned experts in the field, working closely with top surgeons in the United States and Australia.

What makes Dr. Buonassisi one of the most respected and well-known facial cosmetic surgeons?

  • Board Certification in Facial Plastic Surgery
  • American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
  • Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • Over 20 Years Experience
  • Thousands of Facial Cosmetic Surgeries Performed
  • RealSelf Verified Surgeon
  • Voted 2018, 2019, 2020 Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Vancouver

Being an expert in his field, Dr. Thomas Buonassisi has performed thousands of facial cosmetic procedures and has honed his surgical skills into an artform.

 

Benefits of Neck Lift Surgery

The neck and chin area are very sensitive aesthetic areas for a lot of people, as they can often be at odds with how we feel about our age and weight. The excess skin and fat that often results from aging, weight-loss, and sometimes just purely because of genetics, can be stubborn and unsightly for ourselves. Neck Lift surgery hosts a number of benefits with results such as:

  • Definition of the neck angle
  • Definition of the jawline and chin
  • Reduction of a double chin
  • Reduced neck fullness
  • Reduction of large folds of excess skin and fat

How is Neck Lift Surgery Performed? 

Dr. Thomas Buonassisi has two different techniques he will perform with Neck Lift surgery, depending on the anatomy of your neck muscle, how the skin and fat has formed, and your aesthetic goals. The two Neck Lift techniques are:
 
Platysmaplasty is a less invasive technique, and focuses on reducing the mento-cervical angle, which is the angle created when you trace from your chin, to your neck, then to your collar.
 
Z Plasty Neck Lift is more invasive, as it involves more than just defining the neck angle. Z-Plasty also includes removing any excess skin and fat for an added level of definition for those who require it.
 
Both techniques are quite different in how they are performed, but both are often combined with a Face Lift. A Face Lift may also provide a subtle lift of the neck, and may be suggested instead if this will provide a sufficient lift for your goals. During your pre-consultation process, Dr. Thomas Buonassisi will review your photos and make suggestions based on a number of factors and suggest the best surgery options for you.

 

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Neck Lift Surgery?

Depending on which technique is performed, recovery times will vary.
 
As the Z Plasty Neck Lift is more invasive, because we are removing skin and fat, you will be required to wear a compression garment for several weeks after surgery. Swelling will reduce enough to see the complete results of your Neck Lift between 3-4 weeks post-surgery.
 
With Platysmaplasty, the recovery is shorter, with the dressings being able to be removed 24 hours post-surgery. Swelling usually lasts much longer, with the full results being visible 7-10 days after surgery.
 
A set of comprehensive pre and post-surgery instructions will be explained verbally, and reiterated in writing for you. Our patient care managers are also available to answer any questions you may have, at any time.
 

Who is a Candidate for Neck Lift Surgery?

Those looking at Neck Lift surgery typically are noticing advanced sagging in their chin and neck, either due to age, weight-loss or genetics. Light sagging, and looking to define the angle of your chin and neck usually means that Platysmaplasty is your ideal treatment.
 
If you are experiencing sagging, folds and wrinkling, as well as a loss of separation between the neck and the chin/jaw, this typically requires a Z Plasty Neck Lift.
 
During your complimentary pre-consultation with our patient care managers, they will perform a photo review with Dr. Buonassisi on your behalf to determine your candidacy. They will outline Dr. Buonassisi’s recommendations, and provide you with the next steps based on this information.
 

The Types of Neck Lift Techniques

For people who want Neck Lift surgery, it is tempting to want to focus strictly on how your neck, chin and jawline will look after surgery. Your motivation should be to find a surgeon who has extensive experience with facial plastic surgery and facial anatomy. Many Neck Lifts are done in conjunction with Facelifts, or Mini Lifts, and patient candidacy and the technique required depends on a number of factors. Dr. Buonassisi has extensive experience performing Neck Lift surgery, as well as combining these with a Facelift or Mini Lift, and will suggest the best option for your unique facial anatomy.

An incision will be placed just underneath the chin, so it can be easily hidden. The skin of the neck is then elevated to expose the underlying fat, which is removed either directly or with liposuction. Once this is completed the lax underlying platysma muscle is tightly bound with sutures. This allows for significant structural support for the neck and a defined neck angle.

The large fold of excess skin is completely removed using a special plastic surgery technique called a Vertical Z Incision. When pulled together, the edges of the skin form a near straight incision that fades over time. This results in reduced fat, excess skin and a lifted appearance for the neck.

The skin is elevated through a small submental (under the chin) incision, to then cut the platysma horizontally at the point we want the mento-cervical angle to be. Once that is done, the platysma is sutured in the midline quite tightly with permanent stitches, then the skin is closed.

What’s Covered in Your Pre-Assessment Call

Step 1: Request Your Complimentary Pre-Assessment Session with the 8 West Clinic Team

A pre-assessment session is a complimentary service that we recommend to anyone considering Neck Lift surgery. In your pre-assessment with a patient care manager, they will conduct a photo review with yourself and Dr. Buonassisi on your behalf to confirm that you are a candidate for the procedure. They will also discuss the surgery cost, timeline, and process, as well as any other options that Dr. Buonassisi may suggest to achieve your desired results.

 

Meet Dr. Buonassisi in person (or online if you are an out-of-town patient) for expectations setting. The surgical consultation is by far the most important part of the cosmetic surgery process because this is the communication tool that helps explain what can be achieved in surgery.

You may ask Dr. Buonassisi to share real patient Before and After photos to help illustrate what can be achieved with the particular surgery you are discussing. This is also your opportunity to ask him any questions.

 

Step 3: Schedule Your Surgery and Receive Ongoing Care in Follow Up Visits

Our team of medical professionals and patient care managers are here to make your experience a smooth, informative and positive one. We manage all the details of your surgery and schedule a series of follow-up appointments to ensure you are healing well and are happy with your results! We are here to help answer all of your questions about recovery.

 

Learn More with a Pre-Assessment Call

The decision to proceed with Neck Lift surgery should be made with the utmost level of care and attention. While it can be exciting to think about how you may look with a Neck Lift, it is important to be informed about both the risks and benefits of surgery.

A pre-assessment discussion is a complimentary service with our award-winning, knowledgeable and friendly patient care team, which we recommend to anyone considering any surgery. This service includes a review of your photos to help determine if Neck Lift surgery is right for you, plus a discussion of costs and possible surgery dates on top of any other questions you may have before you decide if you are ready to meet Dr. Thomas Buonassisi in person. 

REQUEST A COMPLIMENTARY PRE-ASSESSMENT CALL