Cervicoplasty is a facial surgery procedure typically performed on individuals above 40 years of age. However, people that have lost a lot of weight or suffer from premature aging consider having neck rejuvenation before their 40´s. Dr. Espinosa believes that it is better to have a few small procedures to look great at a younger age, versus waiting until the patient is much older and needing to have a much larger surgery. The idea is that a little work done early provides a longer-lasting effect on skin appearance. Also, the patient´s recovery from surgery is better and easier.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Espinosa will carefully analyze the type of anesthesia best for your particular procedure. Most neck lift procedures are performed under general anesthesia or light sleep sedation, where you are lightly asleep and entirely unaware of the surgery. Both types of anesthesia are secure, you do not feel anything during surgery and you wake up quickly and comfortably, feeling no pain and experiencing no anxiousness.

Dr. Espinosa believes that “If it doesn’t look natural, it doesn’t look good.” Through a neck lift, the surgeon lifts and tightens facial skin and muscles, preserving the natural elasticity of skin. Today’s techniques for facial plastic surgery prefer “lifting” to “stretching”. Every surgery is designed according to the needs of the patient. Neck lift surgery is performed to achieve a natural appearance and optimal rejuvenation effects.

A neck lift, also called Cervicoplasty, is a procedure designed according to the patient´s characteristics. Dr. Espinosa carefully analyzes the areas of your neck you want to correct or improve. He designs a specific treatment for you, depending on your face, age, sagging skin, and quality of the skin. Thanks to the endoscopic techniques, and through a previous computer imaging study, Dr. Espinosa performs surgical procedures to correct these problems with minimal incisions. For a neck lift, surgeon usually makes two incisions under or behind the ear, and then loosens the skin, redrapes it, and removes the excess skin. If excess fat is present in the neck, it is sculpted by liposuction, through a minimal incision made underneath the chin. Because of the use of the endoscope, these incisions are really short. Some incisions are hidden in the crease behind each ear. When a correction of the muscle is needed, a section of the platysma muscle may be removed and the ends are sutured to bring them together at the front of the neck and throat area. This is a procedure called platysmaplasty. The platysma is a very important facial muscle that extends from the neck to the chest and is responsible for many facial expressions. The endoscope is used to create a tunnel from behind one ear across under the jawbone to behind the other ear. A very special gentle corset-like stitch is placed from behind one ear, then down around the neck and back up behind the other ear. This helps tighten the neck, and creates a more pleasing transition from the under aspect of the chin to the upper neck. This minimally invasive procedure helps the surgeon to restore the neck appearance.

Times in the operating room vary, depending on the kind of procedures to perform. A neck lift usually takes 2 hours. After surgery the patient is gently awakened and taken into the recovery room where vital signs are carefully monitored and controlled.

Neck rejuvenation surgery is usually done on an out-patient basis. After surgery you will be carefully monitored until you completely recovery from anesthesia. Some medications are prescribed to minimize any discomfort. You will be monitored after surgery to observe any adverse side effect to anesthesia. You will stay in our medical center until Dr. Espinosa considers you have completed your recovery phase. You will receive specific home-care instructions and prescriptions for medicine. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and to stay with you at least the first night following the surgery.

After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room to be closely watched for 1-2 hours or until your physician considers you may go home. Any discomfort should be alleviated by your prescribed pain medication. A comfortable bandage will be placed on your face and neck to compress the surgical area. Dr. Espinosa will check your bandages 24 hours following surgery, and will remove them 2 days after surgery, as well as your drains. Your sutures won’t be removed until day 7. Your lower face and neck will get more swollen, and possibly bruised, over the first 3 days after surgery. As time goes by, the swelling and bruises will dissipate. You may feel some tightness or less sensibility due to swelling. This is part of your healing.

Most patients are able to go back to normal activity quickly. However, this will depend on the individual patient. Avoid strenuous activity, including exercise and sex.

This depends on the type of neck lift procedure you had. You may need more than 20 days to rest. Give yourself enough time to recuperate. This time can vary from patient to patient. Avoid strenuous activity for several weeks after surgery. Healing from surgery can take some time. Schedule your surgery, so you have proper time to recover. Odd sensations of tightness, numbness, swelling and bruising are symptoms that subside within the first few weeks. Dr. Espinosa will be in permanent contact with you to be certain you are comfortable and that all your questions are answered.