Plastic Surgery Guide for Endoscopic Surgery Lift Hospitals in New York City 2025

Introduction

Endoscopic surgery has emerged as a revolutionary technique in the field of plastic surgery, especially in New York City, a global hub for advanced medical treatments. This guide aims to provide comprehensive information about endoscopic surgery lift procedures offered in the city's hospitals. From understanding what a facelift is to exploring different types of endoscopic lift surgeries, potential candidates, benefits, risks, and recovery processes, we will cover all aspects to help you make an informed decision about your plastic surgery journey.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a facial plastic surgery procedure that can significantly transform a person's appearance and quality of life. Traditional facelift approaches often simply pull the facial skin back and tighten it, which can sometimes result in a distorted and windswept look. The results from these older methods may only last about a year, after which the skin starts to loosen back to its original state.

However, in New York City, surgeons like Dr. Thomas Romo III have developed unique facelift techniques. Dr. Romo's endoscopic composite facelift, honed over many years of experience, offers numerous advantages. It provides more natural - looking and long - lasting results, involves smaller incisions, and allows for a more rapid recovery after surgery.

Concerns a Facelift Can Treat

Tighten and Rejuvenate Sagging Facial Skin: As we age, the skin loses its elasticity, leading to sagging. A facelift can help reverse this process and restore a more youthful appearance.
Fix Separation between Lower Eyelids and Cheeks: Over time, the area between the lower eyelids and cheeks may develop a separation. A facelift can address this issue.
Eliminate Deep Creases: Deep creases along the nose that extend to the corners of the mouth, also known as nasolabial folds or laugh lines, can be significantly reduced with a facelift.
Address Facial Fat Changes: Facial fat may fall or disappear over time. A facelift can reposition and redistribute this fat to restore a more youthful contour.
Eliminate Jowls: Jowls created from loss of skin tone in the lower face can be removed through a facelift procedure.
Address Loose Skin and Excess Fat under the Chin and Jaw: This area often shows signs of aging, and a facelift can help tighten the skin and remove excess fat.

Types of Facelift Procedures and the Role of Endoscopy

Full Facelift

A full facelift can be performed independently or in tandem with facial fat grafting for a more relaxed, inviting appearance. It helps restore balance and harmony along the jawline and in the lower cheeks. Incisions are made in the area in front of and around the ears to gain access to the muscle, fat, and skin on the lower two - thirds of the face. The repositioning that occurs during surgery improves contours along the jawline, the chin, and the cheeks. An endoscopic approach can be used in a full facelift to make smaller incisions and provide better visualization of the underlying tissues, reducing scarring and promoting faster recovery.

Mid - Facelift

As we age, the midface (the cheek soft tissue pad) drops, producing deep nasolabial grooves and sunken cheeks. A mid - facelift addresses these issues. Dr. Andrew Jacono in New York performs an endoscopic midface lift, or vertical face lift, through small incisions in the scalp the size of a drinking straw. This less invasive facelift technique combines repositioning of the orbital and buccal fat pads over the cheeks, hollows under the eyes, and smile line areas. It restores a youthful, heart - shaped face and minimizes incisions compared to traditional mid - facelift techniques.

Lower Facelift

The lower facelift focuses on the area from the jaw to the cheek. It can tighten loose skin, reduce jowls, and improve the definition of the jawline. Endoscopic assistance can be used to place incisions more strategically, potentially reducing visible scarring and improving the precision of the procedure.

SMAS Lift

An SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) facelift involves lifting and repositioning the deeper layers of the face, specifically the SMAS layer, to address sagging and restore a more youthful appearance. An endoscopic approach can help the surgeon better visualize and manipulate the SMAS layer through smaller incisions, leading to more accurate results and less tissue damage.

Deep Plane Facelift

A deep plane facelift tightens the underlying facial layers, resulting in organic - looking changes. During surgery, the facial tissues are separated from the muscle and fascia layers, which are repositioned to promote youthfulness and natural beauty. Endoscopic technology can enhance the surgeon's ability to perform this complex procedure by providing clear visualization of the deep facial structures through minimal incisions.

Endoscopic Forehead Lift

Of all the cosmetic procedures that use endoscopy, the forehead lift is one that plastic surgeons more commonly perform. Instead of the usual ear - to - ear incision, three or more “puncture - type” incisions are made just at the hairline. The endoscope helps guide the surgeon to remove the muscles that produce frown lines and reposition the eyebrows at a higher level. This approach reduces scarring and speeds up the recovery process compared to traditional forehead lift methods.

How Endoscopy Works in Plastic Surgery

Endoscopy is a surgical technique that involves the use of an endoscope, a special viewing instrument. An endoscope consists of two basic parts: a tubular probe fitted with a tiny camera and bright light, which is inserted through a small incision; and a viewing screen, which magnifies the transmitted images of the body’s internal structures. During surgery, the surgeon watches the screen while moving the tube of the endoscope through the surgical area. It's important to note that the endoscope functions as a viewing device only. To perform the surgery, a separate surgical instrument — such as a scalpel, scissors, or forceps — must be inserted through a different point of entry and manipulated within the tissue.

Advantages of Endoscopic Surgery in Plastic Surgery

Smaller Scars: In a typical endoscopic procedure, only a few small incisions, each less than one inch long, are needed to insert the endoscope probe and other instruments. This means the scars are likely to be hidden, much smaller, and less noticeable compared to traditional open - surgery incisions.
Reduced Nerve Damage Risk: Because the incisions are shorter with endoscopy, the risk of sensory loss from nerve damage is decreased.
Less Bleeding, Bruising, and Swelling: The endoscopic approach often results in significantly reduced bleeding, bruising, and swelling compared to open surgery. This can lead to a more comfortable recovery period for the patient.
Faster Recovery: Patients may recover more quickly and return to work earlier than if they had undergone open surgery. Many endoscopic procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation.
Avoid Overnight Hospital Stay: In some cases, endoscopic surgery may allow patients to avoid an overnight hospital stay, providing greater convenience and potentially reducing costs.

Uses of Endoscopy in Different Plastic Surgery Procedures

Procedure	How Endoscopy is Used
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)	Endoscopy is sometimes used for selected patients who have lost abdominal muscle tone. Guided by the endoscope, the muscles that run vertically down the length of the abdomen may be tightened through several short incisions. It is generally not used in patients who have a significant amount of loose abdominal skin.
Breast Augmentation	Inserted through a small incision in the underarm or the navel, an endoscope can assist the surgeon in positioning breast implants within the chest wall. It may also assist in the correction of capsular contracture (scar tissue that sometimes forms around an implant, causing it to feel firm) and in the evaluation of existing implants.
Facelift	Certain selected individuals may benefit from an endoscopically assisted procedure. When an endoscope is used, the customary incision along or in the hairline is usually eliminated. Instead, small incisions may be strategically placed in areas where the most correction is needed. For example, if the muscles and skin of the mid - face need to be smoothed and tightened, incisions may be hidden in the lower eyelid and in the upper gum line. To tighten the loose muscles of the neck, incisions may be concealed beneath the chin and behind the ears. The endoscope may also assist in the positioning of cheek and chin implants.
Forehead Lift	Instead of the usual ear - to - ear incision, three or more “puncture - type” incisions are made just at the hairline. The endoscope helps guide the surgeon to remove the muscles that produce frown lines and reposition the eyebrows at a higher level.
Reconstructive Flap Surgery	Endoscopy can assist in repairing body parts that are damaged from injury or illness. Often, healthy tissue is “borrowed” from one part of the body to help repair another. Using an endoscope, the tissue or flaps can be removed from the donor site with only two or three small incisions.
Placement of Tissue Expanders	Used frequently in reconstructive surgery, tissue expanders are silicone “balloons” that are temporarily implanted to help stretch areas of healthy skin. The newly expanded skin is then used to cover body areas where skin has been lost due to injury (such as a burn) or disease. Using an endoscope, the surgeon can help ensure that a tissue expander is precisely positioned beneath the surface to bring the greatest benefit to the patient.
Sinus Surgery	An endoscope can assist the surgeon in pinpointing and correcting sinus - drainage problems. It can also help locate nasal polyps (growths) or other problems within the sinus cavity and assist in full rhino - septal surgery.
Carpal Tunnel Release	After the endoscope is inserted through a small incision in the wrist area, the surgeon locates the median nerve, which runs down the center of the wrist. A separate incision may be made in the palm to insert scissors or a scalpel to cut the ligament that is putting pressure on the nerve.

Candidates for Endoscopic Surgery Lift Procedures

Patients who may be suitable candidates for endoscopic surgery lift procedures include those who:

Are facing one or more aesthetic concerns in the face, such as loose or sagging skin, visible signs of aging, lax facial muscles, deep creases, excess fat deposits, or a poorly defined jawline.
Do not have large amounts of loose, hanging skin. However, patients with loose facial or abdominal skin may benefit from a combination of classic and endoscopic techniques.
Are in good physical and emotional health and free from any untreated medical concerns that might interfere with surgery or recovery.
Are non - smoking or willing to quit for several weeks before and after surgery, as smoking can compromise the healing process.
Have a realistic attitude toward the results of the surgery and understand that it cannot completely stop the aging process.

Selecting a Well - Trained Surgeon in New York City

Since endoscopy is a relatively new technique in plastic surgery, it's extremely important to select a board - certified plastic surgeon who has adequate training and experience. Here are some key points to consider:

Board Certification: Ensure that the surgeon is board - certified in plastic surgery. This indicates that they have met the rigorous standards set by the relevant professional organizations.
Training and Experience: Find out if the surgeon has received specialized training in endoscopic plastic surgery and has a significant amount of experience performing these types of procedures. Ask about their success rates and patient satisfaction.
Hospital Privileges: If you're planning to have outpatient surgery, make sure that the surgeon has privileges to perform your particular endoscopic procedure at an accredited hospital. This assures you that the surgeon has been evaluated by the hospital's quality - assurance review committee and is generally considered to have the needed training. Also, check if the surgeon's hospital privileges cover both the endoscopic and the open version of the procedure you plan to have, as they may need to switch to a traditional open procedure if a complication occurs during surgery.
Reputation and Reviews: Look for reviews and testimonials from previous patients. You can also check if the surgeon has any awards, recognitions, or published research in the field of endoscopic plastic surgery.

The Facelift Procedure

Here's an overview of what you can expect during a facelift procedure, whether it's an endoscopic or traditional one:

Anesthesia: You will be given an anesthetic so you will not feel any pain during the procedure. The type of anesthesia used (general or local with sedation) will depend on the complexity of the surgery and your personal preferences. Your surgeon will discuss the best option for you.
Incisions: The surgeon will make incisions in strategic locations. In endoscopic facelifts, these incisions are usually smaller and more discreet. For example, in a traditional facelift, incisions may be made around the ears and in the hairline, while in an endoscopic facelift, incisions may be placed in areas like the lower eyelid, upper gum line, or small puncture - type incisions near the hairline.
Tightening and Repositioning: The surgeon will then tighten the facial muscles, reposition the tissue, and remove excess skin that is compromising your natural facial shape. In endoscopic procedures, the endoscope helps the surgeon visualize the underlying structures more clearly and perform these steps with greater precision.
Closing the Incisions: Once the surgeon is finished making the necessary changes, they will close the incisions using stitches, dissolvable sutures, and/or skin glue.

The entire facelift procedure can take 2 - 3 hours, depending on the complexity. When performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as a neck lift, the surgery time will vary.

Recovery from Endoscopic Surgery Lift

Recovery from endoscopic surgery lift procedures generally progresses over about two weeks, but this can vary depending on individual factors such as age, overall health, and the specific procedure performed.

First Week: Rest and pain management are top priorities during the first week. By day 3 or 4 after surgery, swelling and bruising typically peak. You may need to take prescription pain medication during the initial days, but within the first 7 days, you may transition to managing comfort with over - the - counter medication. It's normal to feel worse than you look during the first few days.
Days 7 - 14: Bruising and swelling, along with other sensations like tingling and numbness, are the primary side effects experienced during this period. By the end of the second week, most patients are ready to return to work and most other normal activities. However, swelling and bruising may still be present, and incisions may appear slightly pink. You can start light exercise at this stage, but it's important to avoid strenuous activities.
Weeks Two to Four: There will be continued improvement in sensation and contouring. Energy levels may largely return to normal. Sutures are usually removed sometime between weeks one and three after a facelift. By the end of the fourth week of recovery, much of the improvement that has been achieved is apparent.

Benefits of Facelift and Endoscopic Procedures

Improved Appearance: Facelift procedures can significantly improve the appearance of the face by tightening sagging skin, reducing wrinkles, and enhancing facial contours. Endoscopic techniques can achieve these results with less scarring and a faster recovery time.
Boost in Self - Confidence: Looking younger and more