Mario S. Yco, MD, FACS

I'm 57 yrs old, and I'm back in the business world again. After being gone. I needed to compete better with the 30 and 40 year old's. My face and my neck looked really old. It's not how I feel! To me getting quite fixes like Juvederm-fillers, Ultherapy-tightening aren’t really a long solution and can cost thousands every 6 to 12 months. I wanted long term solutions that also addressed the folds around my mouth. I googled for someone in Carlsbad area. Dr. Mario Yco's name came up. I was so impressed by the fact he's a board-certified head & neck surgeon and a facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon. He went to one of the best schools for medical: UC School of Medicine. Vast experience. I couldn't think of a better doctor with my face then him. Met him for an office visit. So knew this was for me at this point in my life. Cost was a very fair market price compared to a lot of other Plastic surgeons (without his background in head and neck surgery) from Carlsbad to La Jolla!

Dr. Yco is very easy going to meet, but yet so meticulous, focused and confident in what he does. He knew my concerns and addressed every one. Anyway, I’m 12 days after surgery and I just got the final stitches removed. I feel fantastic. My face and neck look beautiful and natural, giving me a look I had 10 years ago.

His team of professionals that work with him are the best, for Sure. Thank you, Carol, Natasha, Natalie, Allison, Canada. You’ve made the whole process so exiting comfortable.

****Pictures to come*****



Updated on 3 Mar 2019:
Just not happy with the way it all turned out. I went through 2 surgeries (1 a revision) While the jowls are better, I have deep wrinkles around my mouth. This is after 1 year. I remember the Dr. saying I may have to do laser. But, now, I'm informed I should use fillers and/or fat transfer..witch will cost me!

Updated on 3 Mar 2019:
Just not happy with the way it all turned out. I went through 2 surgeries (1 a revision) While the jowls are better, I have deep wrinkles around my mouth. This is after 1 year. I remember the Dr. saying I may have to do laser. But, now, I'm informed I should use fillers and/or fat transfer..witch will cost me!

Updated on 4 Mar 2019:
Just not happy with the way it all turned out. I went through 2 surgeries (1 a revision) While the jowls are better, I have deep wrinkles around my mouth. This is after 1 year. I remember the Dr. saying I may have to do laser. But, now, I'm informed I should use fillers and/or fat transfer..witch will cost me!

Updated on 23 Mar 2019:
Just not happy with the way it all turned out. I went through 2 surgeries (1 a revision, Dr. Yco kindly did for me) While the jowls and neck are much better, I have "deep" wrinkles around my mouth(very pronounced on left side) This is after 1 year.
I was expecting the kind of wrinkles that can be done with laser.
But, now, I'm informed I should use fillers and/or fat transfer....more yearly cost...something I wanted to eliminate

I had my upper and lower eyelid surgery by Dr. Mario Yco and the results are amazing! I did it under local anesthesia and Dr. Yco, staff and the nurses were incredible. After the procedure I knew what to expect and I was back to work in 5 days and had my stitches out in 7. One month post op and I've been taking selfies and compare my face to old photos and the procedure really took 10 years off. I am so happy I did it. Make up artists that apply eye make up and lashes are shocked when I tell them I had the procedure. They can't tell. Pretty incredible because I was so self conscious about it. Love the refreshed version of myself.

I'm a fairly youthful, slender 60 year-old. Hadn't needed anything (my husband and friends said), but I didn't want to be like my mother at age 70ish and say, "I wish I'd done something when I was younger". Noticed that I was getting the traditional family sagging chin and had very crepe-y neck skin from hours of CA sun exposure when young, so decided to check-out the mini facelift. Am an analytical-type, so researched the best I could; interviewed doctors. Am very happy with my decision, as the drooping neck with its crepe-y skin has disappeared. I see a fresher me in the mirror, much more like I feel inside. lt's a subtle and natural-looking change; maybe took a few years off now (10?) and hopefully will hold for quite a few more. I thought Dr. Yco and his staff were all fabulous and very helpful, both before with my questions and afterwards with my concerns. The healing was excellent and not even noticeable (from the front) to my hairdresser at 21 days when I returned home and went for my usual trim; she said it was some of the best surgery results she'd seen. The incision behind the ears takes longer and the numbness was more than I'd expected, but now at 4 months the jaws, ears and sides of cheeks are comfortable again. Cheeks may feel kind of like firm cardboard for years, according to my friend who had a full face-lift 30 years ago (she's older than me, more vain and has never regretted it.) Reminds me, when I tell her that I could have gone on a safari in Africa or a trip to China or some other luxurious thing, that I will appreciate this more each day when I look in the mirror — and, so far, she's right! It's inspired me to start yoga and exercise on a regular basis. May even suggest to my husband that he might go in for a consultation next year when we're back in the area...

The picture below was taken 36 hours after I had the Active FX on my face, neck and chest. The procuedure was not painful at all - sleeping last night was a little uncomfortable. I thought that the procedure was very easy - my doctor numbed the areas first with a strong lidocaine and then administered a shot of demerol. I was very relaxed.

My face has been weeping some since yesterday - I am cleaning with cetaphil and warm water two or three times a day - it is REALLY important not to let the areas dry out so I am applying Aquaphor after I rinse.

For comfort, I am also taking 1600 mg of Ibuprofen (800 mg tabs) to reduce the swelling and it is working really well. My chest feels like I got a mild sunburn and nothing more. A lil itchy here and there but not enough to make me want to scratch it. . .I can tell that the fine lines around my eyes are already gone and the parenthesis around my mouth will be softened.

I had a lower facelift one year ago and this is the final step in peeling back 10 yrs off my age. I would recommend this procedure to anyone who is realistic and not too far gone - if you need a facelift go get one - the lifestyle lift is another easy, low downtime, procedure.

Don't waste money on Thermage - it does not work. . . just ask me, I have done one of everything!!!!

:) Michell

I had my upper/lower eyelids done with a browlift and cut the frownline muscle at one time. The recovery was slow and a bit ugly but totally worth the down time. Occasionally the threadlift is itchy and it has been more than a year ago that I had the surgery.

I no longer need Botox for frowning. I love the results.



Updated on 11 Feb 2011:


Updated on 9 Dec 2011:
I just had my eyelids redone again 10 yrs later by another surgeon. This time, I added a Mullerectomy to open the eyes a bit more. Some doctors do not do this procedure but I am sure glad that mine did.

I want to inform the public that I did do research on my mini lift weighing the pros and cons.I went in several times and wanted the mini lift since last year. Dr Yco is very qualified per credentials he is double board certified Ent plastic surgeon. I thought I was making the right choice. He said I would like my results and being 38years old I thought it was going to look alot younger and felt great about my decision.
I came in early to prep.and was given a small blue pill to relax then given light iv sedation and was awake during the procedure.
I did notice Dr.Yco spent more time on one side than the other. Before 2hours he was done!
I felt a little groggy and had to be driven home. Drains were put in which were supposed to be removed the next day; but I left them in for the weekend. When showed up Monday morning my neck did feel tighter and excited to get my head wrap off and drains. I look in the mirror with no different in jowls or face not even.neck!
He says I am still swollen to wait for final results 10 days go by with no difference. I write the coordinator an email that I am very disappointed! Dr.yco assures me he removed skin..but I see no difference at all! My Jowls are the same my neck.the only thing I have to prove I had surgery is the scars in front and back of my ears!
The time $$$$$ and lost of work for recovery was a complete waste.
I emailed the staff again with NO reply! Ladies I for warning you to view before and aftet pictures im out $5500 with not even 1inch of improvement. I have been a client of Dr.Yco for about 4 years and finally after sacrificing my money to get this procedure I am so disappointed!

Updated on 4 Aug 2014:
I have been looking for an inch of difference in my neck and jowls each time I look in the mirror I only think if the money I spent and the scars left behind. I emailed the doctor again and provided pictures and did not get a reply. when I went in to get my stiches removed I had a consultation with Dr. Mario Yco and he suggested a mid face lift or fat transfer to my face! I immediately knew I made a big mistake, why would he suggest a mini face lift and then tell me I would benefit from a midface lift? I then proceeded to ask why my turkey neck was still visible, he then suggested a neck lift? I was so disappointed to say the least because I am only 38 years old 'Dr. Yco consulted with me many times over the past year regarding my mini lift, that is the procedure he suggested I would benefit from for my problem areas! why now would he suggest other procedures after no results from his mini lift? during my consultation (after my mini lift) I scheduled it for rhinoplasty and also actually considered hiring him again for that procedure, but was very rudely interrupted by his office coordinator who urged him to hurry because her friend had arrived for her BOTOX!
I had scheduled this consultation for many reasons #1.) questionable no results on my mini lift. #2.)options and answers #3.) rhinoplasty options.
This appointment was supposed to be a one on one hour long computer images
I drove almost 1 hour just for the appointment and got half answered questions and again VERY rudely interrupted by his office coordinator to have her "friend" get botox!, as if I was not as important as her friend,
I had just spent $5500 on my face and considering to pay $7000 for a rhino and after NO RESULTS and office staff unprofessionalism I am to say the least UPSET!
my children were waiting in the waiting room and told me that the office coordinator even did a visual sweep through the waiting room because my 18 year old had poured herself a cup of tea, the coordinator checked the coffee/tea station, checking to see if my children had taken tea bags! Not only did I feel unwelcome but as my children! I have to question if this was racial stereotyping or just plain unprofessional. What I have just described is exactly what happened to me days after my mini lift surgery. will post more photos.

Updated on 4 Aug 2014:
I have attached my before and after surgery photos which clearly shows no diffrence at all!

Updated on 11 Sep 2014:
I hate my results! Or should I say NO results! I want to say something but my image speaks for itself! I got ripped off! Dr. Yco sent me an email stating he removed more skin than a usually would on his "minilift" wow can you imagine im only 38 years old and NOT over weight and I was left looking the same cant imagine what his other work looked like with less skin removal. $5,500 in the trash! Is how I feel about this minilift with Dr.Yco. I did visit other doctors and have been told Dr.Yco techniques are not they have seen in their offices, this is a gentle way of saying he didn't do the job! I feel conned and stupid for putting my trust in him.I feel betrayed by him and his staff! Now im dealing with raised scars behind my ears and may need steroid injections? No one can see any diffrence, not even my mom she agrees I was conned. I even went for fat transfer to fill in my jowls he did nothing to improve my appearance but pull on my ears. DONT WAIST

Updated on 13 Sep 2014:
When I questioned Dr. Yco on my sagging neck and jowls after my mini lift he suggested a neck lift and fat transfer! every time I tap on my jowls they are loose and move up and down with excess skin, I am so upset that I put my trust in the surgeon he knew I wanted this procedure for so long he sang a good song in my ear on how I would look so much better and pulled my skin back and showed me the difference, he tricks unsuspecting clients by pulling their skin back and showing them in the mirror how much better they would look then after he takes a chunk of your savings and leads you from one expensive "no results" surgery to the next suggested lucrative surgery. I emailed him demanding a re-due and all he can say is he has evaluated me after my surgery in his so call sequence of follow ups. BEWARE! he only responded after I posted my photos on this website! all he cares about is making $$$ and obviously not his reputation otherwise he would have offered me a Re-due as I requested! I was still even giving him the benefit of doubt that he can fix this "no result" fake mini lift, but he didn't consider fixing this fake mini lift. I put my trust in his staff and I was duked!

Updated on 16 Sep 2014:
My images speak for themselves! Dr.Yco. Left me with skin and sagging jowls. Not to mention my double chin he adamantly insisted he didn't charge for. After I spent over $5,500 in a no result fake mini-lift and then suggest I need a neck lift and mid face lift upon hearing this from Dr.Yco I immediately knew a was duked! This was his way of making $$$.

Updated on 15 Oct 2015:
Embarrassed and constantly covering my ears from view.
Dr. Yco deformed my ear lobs. I need reconstruction surgery to repair the horrible pixie stretch out ear lob he left me with. Above all i have lose skin and still suffering double chin and lose jowls.
Don't waste your money!