As we age, sun damage, the effects of gravity, and the natural aging process can take its toll on the face. Facial skin loses elasticity and tightness, causing skin wrinkling, excess folds and fat. A neck lift is an operation designed to correct these symptoms of aging in the neck and lower facial area. It is sometimes called a “mini face lift” or an “S lift.”

A neck lift is a procedure used to help people who have sagging skin or folds in the neck area. It may be performed as a solitary procedure or as part of a face lift. When done in conjunction with a face lift, extra skin can be reshaped by uplifting and smoothing it over newly-tightened neck muscles. If the procedure is performed alone, the underlying muscle structure is tightened and extra fat in the area is removed. This will give more striking definition to your jawline. If there is too much extra skin that needs to be removed, the surgeon will make tiny incisions around the ears or beneath the chin.

Swelling and bruising after surgery is common, but most patients experience very little pain during the recovery. Most of the swelling usually subsides within two to three weeks. Most patients look relatively normal in as little as one or two weeks.
 

You will need to stay in bed for the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after surgery. For the first week after the procedure, you should plan to stay home and stay mainly in bed. After that, you may be able to move about the house, but should not go outside except to attend visits to your doctor. During the second and third week of your recovery, you may gradually resume normal physical activity, but should not attempt anything strenuous. Easy walks, dinner and movies out are encouraged. After three weeks, you may gradually resume normal physical activity.
 

Neck microliposuction, sometimes called “microsculpture,” is a very effective procedure to restore shape and definition to the neck. During the procedure, fat is removed and skin is tightened. This is an outpatient surgery performed in the doctor’s office using local anesthesia. It takes about 30 minutes and requires 3-4 days of recovery time. The surgery is minimally invasive; tiny pinhole incisions behind the earlobes and under the chin are usually all that is required.
 

A neck lift is sometimes referred to as a “lower face lift.” It is a less-drastic alternative to a full face lift and can provide results that are just as striking. Technically known as a “submental lipectomy,” the neck lift targets sagging skin and excess fat in the neck—a common symptom of aging. If you are satisfied with the appearance of your upper- and mid-facial areas, and you do not have jowls, you may be a good candidate for a neck lift.

A neck lift is not as invasive as a full face lift. Only one incision is required for a neck lift, usually made behind the ear. During the procedure, excess skin is removed from behind the ear, and the rest of the skin around the neck is redraped. If necessary, extra fat is removed. Recovery is usually short and relatively painless; most patients resume normal social activities and return to work after a week or so.

The neck lift has only half the recovery time as a full face lift, and can lend youth and definition to your appearance.