Harry Has Direct Neck Lift With Z-Plasty

Harry home after Direct Neck Lift

Yesterday at 1:30 PM - I checked into Southeast Plastic Surgery on Fleischman Road where Dr Ben Kirbo did a neck lift on my draping turkey gobbler. At first I expected the doctor to say - we were operating 5 inches too low - but no comments were made about my Everhart trademark nose.



Lulu and I have been on an iPhone-assisted diet since Sept 21st and we each lost more than 25 pounds. My neck size went from a 17-1/2 to 15-1/2 inches. As a result there was an ample curtain of skin flapping in the breeze when I rode my motor scooter. Not only did it look bad - my sleep apnea doctor said it might hinder my sleep because of the looseness. Make no mistake - Blue Cross did not cover payment of this operation. But it gave me an "excuse."

A profile of my best side.

I was scheduled to be under the knife by 3 PM - but complications of the previous patient after a 6 hour surgery - the procedure did not start until 6 PM. While I sat in the pre-op with an IV in my right hand - I entertained myself with my iPhone.

A 4 hour wait in the pre-op room.

After the doctor and nurses gushing over how understanding I was in that tense situation - the doctor offered us dinner in our favorite restaurant. Never missing a moment for a deal - Lulu quipped about a couple free Botox sessions. She said that to me and not to Dr Ben. After all those hours - Ben and I were on a first name basis  :-)


With just a short walk into the operating room - I realized that my chair had been only about 8 feet from the operating table in the next room. It took the team of the 4 doctors and nurses an hour to do the deed.


The doctor removed a patch of skin about 2 inches by 6 inches. I requested that he save it so I could make it into a wallet.


Since it was much later than we expected - Lulu had to teach her on-line class from the hospital over the Internet. At the time she was sworn to secrecy - though I am sure she wanted to blurt out the news.


At her class recess Lulu returned to the recovery room to see Harry sitting up - all dressed - and gabbing away to anyone who would listen.


30 Oxycontin pills are all that stand between the pain of a 12 inch incision on a very tender part of the body.


In 10 minutes they were home - it was dark - and no one saw me bandaged like a bad toothache in a 1950's cartoon. A compression bandage kept everything in order. The doctor suggested sleeping in a recliner to prevent swelling - and Lulu set up a for me. The night went swimmingly - literally. I spent time on the Internet - listening to radio - and watching TV. There were even a few nice upright sleep sessions. 


The actual surgery took only one hour under a general anesthetic. It all went well.

This is what was removed.

I had to sleep sitting up last night - aided by Oxycotin.

Again - although this "may" help my sleep apnea - Blue Cross would not go near it. Board certified surgeon or not - it was $3150 out of Lulu's pocket. I must have been looking really bad - because Lulu did the research and lined up everything. I cannot emphasize how professional Southeastern Plastic Surgery is and Lulu was. 



Next day - they removed the bandages and I walked around with a big Zorro sign under my chin. It is a large incision with 30 stitches. I saw it  and I expected much worse. In one week they remove the stitches - in two weeks it should be healed. In two months the scar will be gone.

I had a choice of trying to hide this from everybody - or  go public and do some before and after pictures. So here they are. Please excuse any drug induced mistakes.