Unfortunately rising costs of the material have limited its usefulness. Otherwise, the muscles are surgically tightened with permanent suture. Some excess skin can be removed behind the ear. Recovery for most patients is quick with little discomfort. Some patients have bruising and swelling but typically much less than seen with a traditional facelift.
Patients commonly feel initial tightness that resolves within a few days.
As with any surgical procedure, bleeding or infection are possible risks. This is likely due to the simplicity of the procedure and the small amount of dissection required. A shortened recovery time, small incisions, and increased safety are a large part of the attraction for the procedure. Patients must understand that only the neck is treated. A facelift is still required if skin laxity above the jaw line is to be corrected.