Face Pulled Down After Neck Lift

As neck lift is a nonspecific term, it is not clear what technique was used on your case.  Either way, it is intuitive that a youthful face will look more lifted rather than descended.  

It is unclear why your face maybe pulled down. With any neck and or face lift the tissues should be lifted up. There should be minimal tension on the skin. You should keep your followup appointments with your surgeon and ask him to address your concerns

I am not sure why you describe these issues. Only you and your plastic surgeon can figure them out. However, here are a few possible causes; 1- the tension on the earlobes may pull them down a bit. 2- the necklift had some facelift components, and the horizontal pull of you face makes it look windblown - "the Nike Swoop". 3- Perception always plays some role in facial rejuvenation. Perhaps compare your photos from before the surgery with current ones.... more

A neck lift specifically will not pull the face downward. On the other hand it may feel a bit tight as you are healing.  In that case usually patients feel stiff bending their neck downward.

I'm not really sure what is going on with you.  There should be no tensions on the earlobe nor on the neckline with a necklift. (There are different types of necklifts) I agree with Dr. Rand that you should return to see your surgeon.  Something doesn't sound quite right.

I am concerned by what you say because the effect of a neck lift, cheek and neck lift, or a facelift should be to bring the tissues up, not down!  I worry that this will get worse as you heal rather than better.  Please keep in close touch with your doctor. 

The neck lift alone should not pull the face downward. If the surgery itself was only in the neck area, it is impossible to pull facial muscles, fat, and skin in a downward fashion because of the fascial attachments of the face with the underlying skeletal structure.

 You will have to wait 3-6 months for the swelling to go down. If at that time it has not resolved to your satisfaction ask your doctor what can be done to dix it. At the same time get a second opinion from an experienced plastic surgeon ass well. Do nothing now!

It is diffucult to judge your concerns from the distance as a necklift should not change the appearance of the face. Please talk to your surgeon about your concerns.