Can you successfully have a neck lift without a facelift?

No that is not true. If the necklift is properly performed, the result can last for many years. Most patients do like to improve the jowls at the same time, which is why everything is usually done at once. Be sure to see a facial specialist for consultation.

Great question. An isolated neck lift works well in patients whose skin integrity allows for adequate "re-draping" that matches the contour changes created by the neck lift. This is generally applicable to patients in their 30's and 40's, similar to the effects seen in weight loss in the face/neck area in this age group. When a patient develops a certain degree of skin laxity accompanied by jowl/ mid-facial descent, an isolated neck lift doesn't allow for the same results. This generally applies to patients from the mid-50's up and patients who have had very significant weight loss.
A facelift is a more complete procedure and is applicable to the majority of the aging face population. 90% of the patients that I see seeking neck-lifts are better facelift candidates.

In selected patients neck lift may be performed without face lift. Two ways of doing that are anterior neck lift without skin removal and posterior extended neck lift with removal of redundant neck skin. I hope this helps.