How long should a mini-neck lift last, for most people? I have heard that they last only six months.

There are 101 variations on facelift and neck lift. Not all of these are appropriate for every patient. People with heavier tissues will need more extensive surgery, while thin patients with good elasticity can do great with a mini-lift. Either way, a well-done procedure should last more than 6 months.

There's no agreement unfortunately among surgeons about what's a "mini" neck lift and what's not.  The answer to your question will depend on what is done during surgery.  If the procedure involves a simple pulling of skin, 6-12 months is all the patient can expect.  Most board-certieid plastic surgeons do NOT do simple skin pulls, since it's not worth the patient's time and money.  In our practice, we tailor the operation to the patient, instead of doing a small operation for the patient just because they ask for it.  We think it's better to be honest with patients and tell them truthfully if a minimal operation is good for them or not.Any surgery for the neck, as long as it is selected properly and performed properly, should last years.  The clock of course keeps ticking...Ask your surgeon to give you an opinion about what you'd be best with and what your best investment would be.  Don't ask them for a small procedure just because you're frightful.  In truth, you're better off NOT having a procedure than getting the wrong "small" procedure.

My mini lift is really a full lower face and neck lift and takes about 5 hrs but is under local with a little iv sedation so I call it an advanced mini lift since it is safer and with less complications than under general anesthesia. Others may do a 1 hr mini cut with a mini pull with a 6 month result. There are even many things in between so beware.

A properly performed facelift has been shown to last about ten years. With that said, the procedure needs to be properly selected for the patient and their type and severity of aging. Mini procedures tend to produce mini results except in people with minimal aging. The only way to answer your question would be to consult with a plastic surgeon who specializes in facelift surgery and ask which procedure is most appropriate for you and how long it should last. 

Most surgeons use "mini" when referring to facelifts rather than necklifts.  A submentoplasty is the procedure we use for a "necklift" and this involves a small incision under the chin, with tightening of the neck muscles down to the neck angle. It is already a fairly "mini" (minimally invasive) type of procedure. This should last many years--possibly even a decade.Hope that helps.Best,Dr. Donath