
Cervicoplasty
A cervicoplasty removes excess skin from the chin and neck area. During a cervicoplasty, excess fat will be removed however the muscles underneath the chin will be left intact.
The Skinny
Cervicoplasty- avg. recovery
- 3 weeks
- permanence
- Is permanent
- Type
- Minor Surgical Procedure
- surgical
- Yes
- cost
- $3500 - $6500
About the Procedure
Last Updated: 02.25.2021A cervicoplasty is a common procedure performed to give patients a more defined profile in the neck area. Aging skin can create folds of overly lax skin and in situations of extreme weight loss, excess skin can hang off of the neck creating the appearance of a double chin. If patients also have apparent neck bands, a cervicoplasty is often combined with a platysmaplasty to tighten the underlying muscles. During a cervicoplasty the patient will lay on their back for the duration of the procedure. The area will be thoroughly infiltrated with a liquid solution combination of lidocaine and epinephrine. This lidocaine in the solution numbs the area while the addition of epinephrine allows for larger doses of numbing to be administered while simultaneously elongating the effects of the anesthesia and reducing bleeding. A z-plasty cut is made on the neck, which will look like a "z" but will be closed as a seamless straight line. Excess skin and fat will be removed. No muscle tightening will be performed.
The goal of a cervicoplasty is to reduce or remove excess skin underneath the chin and neck area.
What to Expect
A cervicoplasty removes excess skin from the chin and neck area but does not affect the neck muscles. Here is a quick guide for what to expect before, during, and after a cervicoplasty.
Recovery Notes
It is common to experience mild to moderate discomfort following a cervicoplasty however this will dissipate over the first few days. Most patients are able to return to work 2-4 weeks after surgery. The bruising and swelling goes away slowly over about 4 weeks. Sutures will likely be removed in 5-10 days.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for a cervicoplasty has excess skin underneath the chin and neck.
Not Recommended For
A cervicoplasty is not recommended for patients who also need to address muscle laxity in the neck or have a significant amount of excess fat in the chin and neck area who would better benefit from a more invasive procedure.
Side Effects
Side effects from a cervicoplasty include swelling, bruising, discomfort, changes in sensation, tightness and scarring.
Pros
- Neck definition
- Remove loose skin
- Younger appearance
Cons
- Scarring
- Does not address muscle laxity