Cervicoplasty

What is cervicoplasty?

Cervicoplasty is the surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the neck by managing localized fatty deposits at that level, especially double chins and rearrangement of excess skin, known as turkey neck or the presence of bands.

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR CERVICOPLASTY?

Candidates for this surgery are men or women concerned about their neck’s appearance.

Many patients show their first aging changes with the appearance of neck bands who benefit from this surgery early.

The patients must be healthy, and if they have diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or hypothyroidism, they must be compensated and controlled before surgery. Patients with chronic, autoimmune, heart disease and anticoagulated patients require thorough evaluations before surgery and be fully controlled and compensated before performing this procedure to reduce complications during or after surgery.

Age alone is not a criterion to be a candidate for this surgery; more important than the years is the general condition of the patient and the compensated or controlled state of health.

How do I prepare for cervicoplasty?

To be prepared for this surgery, patients must be in optimal health conditions.

They require a complete evaluation that includes a medical history and identification of personal history, including allergies, previous surgeries and medications currently consumed. Initial evaluation by telehealth is appropriate, but a complete in-person physical examination is required before surgery.

During the medical evaluation, medications susceptible to suspension are identified to reduce bleeding and the formation of bruises, such as medications that alter platelet aggregation, such as Aspirin or Acetyl Salicylic, anticoagulants, multivitamins, and herbal products. Any of these medications should be suspended or consumed only under medical supervision.

On the other hand, before surgery, basic laboratory or pre-surgical examinations are required, including evaluation of the coagulation status, the level of red and white blood cells and platelets, sugar levels, thyroid, kidney function and the liver. Like the heart rate through an electrocardiogram. The tests are ordered during the medical evaluation and vary from patient to patient based on their health condition and personal history.

How is the surgery performed? Where are the scars?

There are several objectives of cervicoplasty, the most important are:

  • Remove localized fat deposits (double chin).
  • Remove or reposition excess or hanging skin at neck level.
  • Attenuate the muscular bands that can form at the neck level.

To achieve these objectives, it is necessary to make incisions in the anterior region of the ears that extend to the posterior part of the ears and the scalp, in addition to a 3 to 4-cm incision under the chin. Through these scars, excess fat is removed either by excision under direct vision or using liposuction cannulas. Likewise, the deep tissues are stressed utilizing the deep structures called facias, eliminating the bands generated by the neck musculature known as platysma. Finally, the excess skin from the neck and face is pulled and removed.

TYPE OF ANESTHESIA AND HOSPITALIZATION

Cervicoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Before surgery, all patients need to be evaluated by an anesthesiologist, who is certified, with all the required licenses and standards, and especially with extensive experience in managing aesthetic plastic surgery patients, providing a high quality and safe service.

Most patients after surgery remain hospitalized after cervicoplasty. The objective of hospital management is to have close control of the patient’s vital signs, especially blood pressure. The most frequent complication of this surgery is the formation of collections of blood or bruises, which can compress vital structures such as the circulatory system that goes to the head and the respiratory system. For this reason, it is essential to have close hospital surveillance in order to reduce the associated factors that increase complications and, if they occur, prompt diagnosis and treatment, sometimes with the need to return to the operating room for drainage of collections and coagulate the blood vessel that initiated the bleeding. The delay of this attention can have implications for the health of the patient and the cosmetic result. For this reason, hospital surveillance by trained personnel, nurses and doctors is essential for this type of surgery. I rarely perform this surgery on an outpatient basis and when this is decided, the patient must be accompanied by qualified personnel who can quickly detect any anomaly.

POSTOPERATIVE CARE AND RECOMMENDATIONS AFTER SURGERY.

On the first day after cervicoplasty and when fully recovered from anesthesia, it is recommended to start feeding with products that the patient likes, especially plenty of fluids, soups, and broths, followed by easily digestible foods that do not require chewing or are difficult to swallow. The second day can be fed with the patient’s usual diet.

It is ideal for keeping the head elevated on pillows or cushions or in a semi-sitting position to keep the head higher than the heart; this favours drainage and reduces inflammation.

Generally, bandages or gauze are left at the sites of the surgical incisions, which will be removed or changed during check-ups.

It is recommended that the patient walk to the bathroom and walk accompanied to be supported in case of dizziness or weakness, especially the first days after the procedure.

Most patients after surgery have drains, which allow the collection of blood or fluids and prevent the formation of pools of either blood (hematomas) or liquid or fluids (seromas). The reservoirs should be emptied every morning, and the volume eliminated daily should be recorded. When the reservoir fills up entirely during the day or loses its vacuum, it can be emptied again when necessary, noting the discarded volume.

When the drain is low, generally less than 30 CC. per day, the drain is removed at the check-up appointment, which can happen in the first two to three days after surgery.

Bathing is possible according to the patient’s habits and frequency, using mild soap or shampoo. Hair or head washing is possible, such as in beauty salons with the head tilted back.

Medicines.

Take the medications regularly and with the ordered frequency, according to the medical prescription or formula. Don’t self-medicate; if you have any questions, contact us immediately; we are always attentive to answer your questions and avoid unwanted events or drug toxicity.

Do not consume non-prescribed drugs, and do not take antibiotics if the surgeon did not prescribe them; this, on the contrary, increases the risk of infections by germs that are difficult to treat.

Read our guide to pain management.

The skin should be moisturized and lubricated, with prescriptions ordered.

The sun must be avoided, and as soon as it is prescribed, sunscreen must be used.

FOLLOW-UP, REVIEW APPOINTMENTS AND ADDITIONAL THERAPIES AFTER THE CERVICOPLASTY.

When you have surgery with us, you will have follow-ups by a group of professionals who are experts in your health care, who are always attentive to give you the best information and be close to you and in contact to provide you with the best support.

In most cases, you remain hospitalized in the clinic to accompany you and keep an eye on you until the day after surgery. There you will be with an expert group of nurses and doctors who will take care of you and prepare you to go to the place you have chosen to be in the postoperative period.

Depending on your evolution, you will require lymphatic drainage therapy and massages to reduce edema, fluid accumulation, drain removal, suture removal and healing, for which you will visit our office or our care network. We define the need for these therapies according to the evolution of each patient.

Generally, we schedule follow-up appointments a week, two weeks, a month, three months, six and twelve months after surgery. Initially, follow-up is more frequent, in person or by telehealth.

RESULTS

The objective of the surgery is to show a rejuvenated, slender, and thin neck; the proper definition of the jawline is a sign of youth, as is the disappearance of bands and excess fat.

In the first two to three weeks, the edema and inflation are significant, as are bruises or ecchymoses. When the inflammation subsides, you will notice your neck getting better, reaching definitive results between the third and sixth months of the intervention. Some scars may take up to a year to mature and be inconspicuous, initially red and raised.

COMBINATION WITH OTHER SURGERIES OR PROCEDURES (COMBOS OR PACKAGES).

Cervicoplasty is a surgery that is combined with other procedures of the face; it is possible to carry out treatments in neighbouring areas, such as the middle third of the face or a facial tension or lift (facelift or rhytidoplasty), bichectomy or resection of malar fat, surgeries in the region around the eyes or eyelids, such as blepharoplasty, surgeries in the upper third of the face or foreheadplasty. There are also complementary treatments such as facial fat grafting, peelings, the application of fillers with hyaluronic acid and the application of botulinum toxin or Botox. Each complementary treatment is decided according to the specific areas to be treated by each patient or the areas of the face that generate changes or signs of aging that the patient wants to improve.

Some patients combine cervicoplasty with body procedures such as breast surgery, liposuction or body contouring.

Each patient requires an individualized evaluation to define the most appropriate surgical plan to meet their needs, the complementary procedures required or the combination with other relevant and safe surgeries according to the individualized health condition.

COSTS OF CERVICOPLASTY

The costs of cervicoplasty are variable. You should book an appointment to get a quotation. The price depends on the characteristics of each patient, the planned time that the surgery will require, the combination of complementary procedures on the face or body, and the use of unique or high-tech equipment.

The cost of surgery includes various items for the services provided and includes:

  • Surgeon fees.
  • Medical-surgical supplies, such as equipment rental or state-of-the-art technology.
  • Fees for anesthesia and pre-anesthetic evaluation.
  • The clinic or operating room rights where the procedure will be performed.
  • Hospitalization the first day after surgery.
  • Fees of the surgical assistant, instrumentalist or surgical instrumentalist.
  • Girdles, stockings or compression elements.

Contact us to find out about your health condition and particular needs, provide you with the advice you require, and estimate the surgery costs.

Review our section on General Considerations/costs for more information and to learn about our payment conditions, surgery postponement policy, and surgery cancellation policy, which includes a full refund of money for cancellations greater than or equal to three weeks.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS Q&A.

  • Pain: Post-procedure pain is easily managed with orally formulated medications; in a few cases, devices such as a pain pump are required.
  • Inflammation: Post-surgery inflammation decreases progressively after 5-7 days, lasting several weeks. Most patients improve from the edema, inflammation and significant stigmas of having undergone surgery two to three weeks after surgery.
  • Stitch removal: Most sutures or stitches are removed between 5 and 7 days after surgery.
  • Return to daily activities and work: Patients can gradually return to their daily activities after two or three weeks.
  • Exercise: Body or cardiovascular conditioning activities are started again on the third week of surgery: walking and progressive physical activity. At six weeks, the start of physical exercise with greater intensity, training, weights, or gym is recommended.
  • How long will the results of my surgery last? Satisfactory results and looking youth last a long time. That doesn’t mean your appearance won’t change. As time passes, you will notice progressive aging changes. This surgery is generally expected to allow you to look ten years younger. Therefore, you will always look better or more youthful than your imaginary twin who did not have this cosmetic surgery.

OTHER TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES FOR THE NECK.

Double chin and double fold in the neck

  • Non-surgical procedures.

The use of external energy such as radiofrequency or Morpheus consists of tiny externally applied needles through which power is transmitted under the skin to contract the skin and improve tension. If you are interested in this treatment, contact us to provide me with more information and clarify your doubts.

On the other hand, there are lipolytic products, such as mesotherapy, which help to generate the destruction of fat cells and localized volume reduction.

  • Surgical procedures.

Neck liposuction is performed using small cannulas and incisions generally located on the back and bottom of the ears and in the chin crease; suction is achieved through this route with direct extraction of fatty tissue.

In the case of excess skin, abundant folds are generated, which cannot be treated by liposuction alone. In these cases, complementary treatments are required to treat skin retraction and reduce folds.

Neck liposuction can be performed alone or combined with other areas of liposuction. It can also be performed with local anesthesia and sedation or under general anesthesia.

Facetite, which involves applying radiofrequency or energy under the skin, is usually associated with liposuction. The Facetite is a cannula that releases its energy directly under the skin in the subcutaneous cell tissue, achieving a more precise and profound effect, favouring skin contraction. The total effect of this device is achieved 3 to 6 months after application.

If you have questions about these alternatives, request your valuation appointment, and we will gladly provide you with more information and give you a quote.

RESULTS