Age 49 & concerned about jowls & stringy neck - mini, midi or full face lift? (Photos)

In person exam is essential. Based on limited photos- it appears that you may benefit from a facelift/ neck lift with muscle tightening. I suggest that you seek an experienced Board Certified PS

Hi
Thank you for the question. As we age we develop structural laxity in the face and with gravity tissues moves south . This leads to some hollowing below the lower eyelids and deep fold around the mouth called nasolabial fold and jowls which make the face appear more square rather than oval shaped . In addition our neck also become lax .
The terms mini, midi and full facelift are a little difficult as one surgeon's mini facelift may be another surgeons full facelift . What many surgeons describe as a mini facelift involves tightening on the lateral outer aspect of the face only with sutures which often does not give a long lasting result.
The key to not looking stretched and "windswept " is to not put any tension on the skin at all and work on a layer below the skin called the smas so the skin is tension free . The longest lasting and most impactful and natural results are achieved by a deep plane face and neck lift which avoids any tension on skin.
The upper and lower eyelids mainly affect the central face while the face and neck lift procedures improves nasaolabial folds, jowling and neck laxity. For treating the central face upper and lower blepharoplasty can help and in patients who have lost volume from the face modest fat grafting can lead to a harmonious result.
I hope this helps.

The photos that you have provided show that you have mid face descent with very early jowl formation. The neck itself is slim with a nice shape but a small amount of fullness directly under the chin. From the photos it is hard to comment on your eyes. You may wish to defer surgery until the future when the natural changes of facial aging become more apparent. From a surgical position, the only relaible way to address changes to the lower face and neck is with with a full face and lower neck lift. This surgery can be combined with any eyelid and mid face surgery which the patient may also need.