I am 46 years old and have jowls. Should I get a lower face and neck lift? (Photo)

Question

Appearing and my neck is starting to sag and crepe. I have not done fillers and am now considering a lower face and neck lift. Doctors in your opinion should I wait a few more years? Or should I do it now ? Is 46 too young to consider this procedure?I would really appreciate an expert opinion. Thanks

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

This is really a wonderful question and one that I get asked very frequently.  For most patients, facial cosmetic surgeries can be done in the office under local anesthesia - mini facelift, mid face lift, neck lift, blepharoplasties etc. For example, bilateral upper & lower blepharoplasty, mid face lift, Short Scar facelift and neck lift usually takes me about 90 minutes in the office under local anesthesia. The goal is to have patients looking natural.
Yes, this is not a misprint. These can typically be done in the office under local anesthesia. Usually there are no drains, no outside stitches, and patients can go out in public the same day, although I usually recommend they low for the first couple days. Most of the initial swelling is from the numbing medicine and your body absorbs it within the first 4-6 hours. Obviously the body heals with swelling and inflammation and usually that maxes out at two days and then starts getting better. Most of these patients take no pain medicine and usually feel very comfortable going out in public within a few days.  I usually call my patients the night of surgery and check on them the next day. If everything is fine the next day, I then let them shower and they do not need a dressing over their incisions. They can usually start using make up after a few days.  At the two week check up, I usually have people start working out and then after six weeks they can do whatever they want. 
I routinely tell people to take a few days to a week off work and to hide out but some people are very nervous especially celebrities and I usually tell them to hide out for two weeks. As with any scar on the human body, initially scars are red, hard and raised and it typically takes six months to a year for them to become a soft thin white line. 
Additionally with recovery, there're many things we do to expedite healing such as nerve blocks during surgery, oral supplements, skin care and scar therapy recommendations, lymphatic massage sessions that are included in our pricing.
I strongly feel that it's very important to have an honest conversation with your surgeon about your particular situation, lifestyle, work environment and specifically which procedures you're having done so that you both have the most honest answer about your recovery and are realistic with expectations and results.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

Thomas Funcik, MD · Answer

The timing of a lift is always best decided by the patient.  We can do a successful lift in your 40's, 50's 60' or 70's.  It is fun performing lifts on younger patients.  They recover more quickly, look completely natural, and get to enjoy their results for the rest of their lives. Yes, you might want to perform another lift ten or fifteen years later but, at age 80, you will still look younger than your sister!
Even though you do not have a great deal of laxity or a great deal of fat, you have some banding of your platysma muscles causing the vertical lines on your neck, and your submandibular salivary glands dangle below your jawline. Plus you have lost some of your youthful padding along your jawline.  A youthful jawline is padded, plush and continuous.  Study your younger photos.  So, what I would recommend is, when you decide you are ready, undergo a skillful lower facelift and fat grafting.

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

In technical terms, the combination of lower facelift and neck lift is a good choice to address several aspects that are noticeable in your photographs:- the contour of the jawline- moderate volume excess under the chin- visibility of the platysma bands at restThe age is suitable for the intervention as long as your general health is good. The choice of whether to proceed or not depends more on your preference than on specific surgical indications.

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.I would recommend an in person consultation to determine exactly what you need. Based on your photos, I do think you would be a good candidate for surgery. I think I would lean more toward a Minilift to correct everything. This will tighten the skin of the face and neck, while give you more fullness in the cheek area.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

In my opinion, you do appear to be a good candidate for a facelift, which would tighten the lower face and neck and address the jowls.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

FaceTite can internally tighten the skin in the lower face and neck. After all the skin has been heated and contracted, we shape the neck with liposuction to give definition and remove stubborn pockets of fat. In one quick treatment, we can tighten skin, remove fat, and contour the lower face, jawline, and jowls with only a weekend of downtime. Keep in mind that combination approaches will give you a more significant improvement as opposed to a single procedure. I recommend getting a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

I am 46 years old and have jowls. Should I get a lower face and neck lift? (Photo)

Answers (12)

Answer: Options

Answer: Options

Answer: Possible surgery for jowls

Answer: Possible surgery for jowls

Answer: Mini Facelift & Mini neck lift -- FaceTite RF for internal skin tightening + Neck Liposuction for definition/contouring

Answer: Mini Facelift & Mini neck lift -- FaceTite RF for internal skin tightening + Neck Liposuction for definition/contouring

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Everything you need to know about Lower Facelift

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I am 46 years old and have jowls. Should I get a lower face and neck lift? (Photo)

Answers (12)

Answer: Options

Answer: Options

Answer: Possible surgery for jowls

Answer: Possible surgery for jowls

Answer: Mini Facelift & Mini neck lift -- FaceTite RF for internal skin tightening + Neck Liposuction for definition/contouring

Answer: Mini Facelift & Mini neck lift -- FaceTite RF for internal skin tightening + Neck Liposuction for definition/contouring

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lower Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.