Recovery time for a neck lift procedure is about 1 week. During the first week, patients may experience some swelling and bruising. Recovery is faster than with a traditional facelift, as the surgery focuses on only the jawline and the neck. There is rarely any need to place surgical drains. You can expect to return to a desk job within a week after the surgery, so most of the swelling and bruising is gone. You can expect to return to normal activity after about three to four weeks. It is important to note that recovery time varies from patient to patient. After a neck lift, patients are advised to keep their head elevated while sleeping, apply a cold compress when needed, and avoid exercise and other strenuous activity.