Cervicoplasty Excess Skin Neck Lift Surgery

Before you can schedule any type of plastic surgery, you need to spend some time with Dr. Shokrian in a consultation. Talk about your goals and expectations. Undergo a thorough exam. At your consultation, you and your surgeon discuss your:

• Previous surgeries
• Medical conditions
• Medications and herbal supplements you currently take

Your Manhattan plastic surgeon measures your face and takes photographs for before-and-after shots. After doing an evaluation, your doctor explains your options and recommends a customized treatment plan. You have an opportunity to ask any questions. Only then are you given detailed instructions to prepare for surgery, such as discontinuing aspirin and any other medications that may cause excess bleeding during surgery.

Antibiotics typically are prescribed to help prevent infection. If you’re a smoker, you must quit for at least seven days before the procedure and at least seven days after surgery. Smoking delays healing and greatly increases the risk of complications, such as blood clots or infections.

There are several different types of neck lifts and cosmetic techniques that address your concerns about how your neck looks. The specific focus of cervicoplasty is to address loose hanging skin. You may be concentrating on other flaws instead, however, which may make other approaches to neck treatment more beneficial, such as:

• Platysmaplasty. This procedure tightens and realigns neck muscles to eliminate the appearance of bands running across your neck. This banded appearance is caused when the muscles that run vertically on each side of your neck create an aged look by pulling forward. A platysmaplasty pulls these neck muscles back toward your ears to reduce the appearance of sagging.
• Liposuction. When most people think of liposuction, they think of fat being suctioned from thighs, hips, love handles or the midsection, but liposuction can also be done to remove chin fat and neck fat.

A full face lift takes care of all the age-related changes you see in both your face and the neck. In this procedure, muscles and skin on the face and neck are tightened and repositioned to eliminate the appearance of sagging and wrinkles, giving you a tightly defined jawline. Your Midtown Manhattan cosmetic surgeon may recommend a full face lift rather than cervicoplasty if your skin quality is poor and it may not deliver the results you hope for.

A cervicoplasty surgery is an outpatient procedure, so you go home the same day. Plan to have someone drive you to the procedure and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the surgical center. The steps that usually happen during a cervicoplasty procedure include:

1. Anesthesia is administered. Your neck area is numbed using local anesthesia, and you may be given IV sedation to help you relax. If you’re having other procedures done at the same time, you may need general anesthesia.
2. Vital signs are monitored. The medical team pays attention to your heart rate and other vital signs to make sure you aren’t experiencing any unexpected complications, such as an allergic reaction to anesthesia.
3. Skin is marked. A marking pen is used to mark the neck area being targeted.
4. One or more incisions are made. Your NYC plastic surgeon makes a small incision, usually under your chin and may also make incisions just behind each ear.
5. Excess skin is trimmed. The excess skin that’s giving you the appearance of a turkey neck is trimmed away.

The neck muscles may be moved or folded. Stitches are used to close the skin. A pressure dressing is placed on your neck. Cervicoplasty typically takes one to two hours, but the amount of time needed for your procedure varies, based on any other cosmetic procedures being done at the same time.

Most people who have cervicoplasty experience a rapid recovery. The total time needed to recover varies, depending on how extensive or invasive your procedure is and if you combined it with other procedures. During the first few days, you may not look or feel your best. But as you recover, you can expect to:

• Take at least a week off from work after a cervicoplasty procedure
• Wear a surgical compression bandage around your neck day and night for five to seven days, although you may still need to wear it just at night for another week or so
• Sleep with your head elevated for a week or two
• Take about three weeks for you to recover enough to participate in strenuous exercise

There are typically very few side effects associated with a cervicoplasty procedure, and when your procedure is done by a reputable, experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Shokrian, the risk of side effects or complications is greatly reduced. The side effects you may experience include:

• Swelling
• Numbness
• Bruising
• Discomfort or pain

These side effects usually resolve within a few days and can almost always be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication. All forms of surgery have some risk of an infection or an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. Let your doctor know right away if you experience symptoms such as a fever over 101.8, excessive swelling or discharge from the surgical site.

The cost of a cervicoplasty procedure typically starts at about $3,500, but the boost in your self-confidence is priceless. You may have additional costs to consider as well, such as:

• Surgery center fees
• Anesthesia fees
• Prescription medication costs

Procedures that are done for aesthetic reasons aren’t covered by health insurance, so you have to pay out of pocket. Fortunately, at Millennial Plastic Surgery, options are available if necessary to help you finance the procedure with options, such as a payment plan or financing through a third party.

Following your Manhattan plastic surgeon’s post-surgery instructions is the best way to get and keep the optimal results from any cosmetic procedure. While cosmetic surgery dramatically improves your appearance, the results you enjoy from this type of procedure don’t last forever, since the aging process is ongoing. But you can do a number of things to ensure your results last as long as possible, including:

• Not smoking
• Limiting sun exposure
• Drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine

Healthy lifestyle choices are reflected in your skin, body and overall health. Include nutritious foods in your daily diet, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean meats. Choose a form of physical activity that’s enjoyable for you to do regularly, such as bicycling, walking, swimming or dancing.

If you’re self-conscious because the loose hanging skin under your neck is detracting from your appearance, it’s time to find out about your options. Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Shokrian at Millennial Plastic Surgery, the best plastic surgeon in New York City. In addition to being the go-to in Midtown Manhattan for facial rejuvenation, Dr. Shokrian is well-regarded for his skills and talents on body cosmetic surgery, for everything from a stomach fat surgery to breast enhancement.