(713) 321-2424
Consultation
Forward Lift
Some people are too young for a facelift but still feel unhappy with how their lower face and neck look. For patients in their 20s and 30s, the problem is usually not aging; it's genetics. It might be a heavy neck, fullness under the chin, a weak chin, or a profile that never looked as defined as they wanted.
The Forward Lift was designed for these patients. It combines deep neck restructuring to remove fullness and excess soft tissue with a genioplasty for chin augmentation and better definition of the jawline. The combined results sharpen the jawline, improve the angle under the chin, and create better balance in the lower face. The result is a profile that looks stronger and more defined, without making the face look unnatural.
The Forward Lift is a surgical procedure that combines deep neck contouring with chin augmentation by genioplasty. It helps improve a heavy neck, sharpens the jawline, reduces fullness under the chin, and creates a stronger lower-face profile.
This is not a typical neck lift. The goal isn’t to lift loose skin from aging. The goal is to improve the structure of the neck to create sharper contours below the jaw. It is a structural procedure for younger people whose main concern is fullness under the chin and jawline. If the neck is full and the chin is set back, the lower face can look heavy even if the skin still looks young. The Forward Lift addresses both issues at once.
A Combination Where 1+1 = looking like a 10/10
A structural neck lift, also called a deep plane neck lift, doesn’t just tighten the skin of your neck. Dr. Rodman addresses excess tissue that is deep to (under) the platysma muscle, usually deep fat, sagging salivary glands, and a droopy digastric muscle. Young patients who have a heavy neck even at a healthy weight usually have excess deep fat. This is different from the subcutaneous fat that sits right under the skin, outside of the platysma muscle. The fat that is deep to the platysma muscle cannot be removed with liposuction or energy devices. A structural neck lift is the only way to remove deep fat. Along with deep fat, some patients have sagging salivary glands, which Dr. Rodman reduces, and drooping muscles that she tightens during the procedure. Removing this excess tissue changes the structure of the neck. The good news is that once this deep fat is gone, it does not grow back. So you can count on the new shape of your neck and jawline to stay visible for years to come.
Often, patients who have genetics for a heavy neck also have a small chin. A receded chin makes the heaviness in the neck look even worse, because there is no structure to stretch the tissue under the chin or hold it up. A genioplasty does just that. The genioplasty is performed through the mouth (no incisions on the external skin) with an incision between the lower lip and the gums. Dr. Rodman uses a special tool to cut the chin bone, and then pulls it forward to a better position that balances with the rest of the face. The chin in its new position is held in place with a small plate. New bone grows where the bone was cut. After healing, this is your new chin, all natural, all your bone, no implant or foreign body.
Liposuction can only reach the fat that is right under the skin, outside of the platysma muscle. It does not reach the deep fat. The fat right under the skin is the fat that expands and contracts with weight loss and weight gain. Dr. Rodman performs neck and chin liposuction and skin tightening for patients whose heaviness under the chin is due to weight gain. However, most patients come to our office saying they have heaviness under the chin no matter how much they weigh, and often have had it from a young age. In these cases, the fat is most likely deep fat, and this is what benefits most from a structural neck lift. Check out the diagram below for a visual of deep fat vs. superficial fat.
Dr. Rodman also performs chin implants, and that is an option available to every patient. A recessed chin can be augmented by either a chin implant or genioplasty, and patients can choose what will work best for them. Dr. Rodman recommends a genioplasty over a chin implant during a Forward Lift for several reasons.
The sagging muscles of the neck are attached to the back of the chin. When the chin gets moved forward, the sagging muscles and skin get pulled with it. This lengthens and stretches the muscles and skin, improving the angle between the chin and the neck. A chin implant only stretches the skin of the chin; it has no effect on the neck.
One of the muscles in the neck (the digastric) acts like a pulley system. When the front part is stretched (anterior belly), it lifts the hyoid bone higher. A higher hyoid means more neck contour and a sharper angle. A chin implant doesn’t change the position of the hyoid.
A genioplasty preserves the shape of your chin and puts it in a better position. It’s still you, just better. A chin implant may make the chin wider.
New bone grows during genioplasty, and once it has healed, your new chin is all natural, all you. Genioplasty has a significantly lower risk of infection, shifting position, and late complications compared to chin implants.
This first diagram shows an “average” chin and neck. You can see the difference between the superficial fat and the deep fat, the position of the hyoid bone, and the curve of the neck.
The second diagram is an example of a patient who would benefit from the Forward Lift. Often, the traits of a small chin, excess deep fat, low salivary glands, and a low hyoid bone go together in a person. All 4 of these things add up! This combination works against each other, making the neck look heavy, or making a double chin even though the patient is young and a healthy weight.
The Forward Lift addresses all 4 issues that cause a heavy neck. The structural neck lift reduces the enlarged and drooping salivary glands and removes the deep fat. The genioplasty gives the chin projection, creating more definition in the jawline. The genioplasty also stretches and elongates the muscles under the chin and elevates the hyoid.
The Forward Lift is designed for structural lower-face concerns that do not respond well to liposuction, Kybella, skin tightening, or weight loss alone. It can address a genetically heavy neck, fullness beneath the chin, a weak or recessed chin, poor jawline definition, a blunted angle between the chin and neck, a double chin at a stable weight, a profile that looks short, thick, or underprojected, and deeper neck fullness that is not only superficial fat. These patients usually do not look older throughout the whole face. The problem is concentrated in the neck and chin, which makes the lower face look heavier than it should.
The Forward Lift changes the structure of the lower face, not just how it looks on the surface. This is why the difference is easy to see, especially from the side.
Benefits can include:
The best candidates are younger people with a heavy lower face, inherited neck fullness, or a weak chin who want a structural solution.
You may be a good candidate if your neck has looked heavy for years despite being at a healthy weight, you have a double chin even at a stable weight, your chin sits too far back for your neck and jawline, your profile looks weak or thick, or you want stronger structure to your jawline. You should also be healthy enough for surgery and recovery.
The Forward Lift may not be the right fit if you have significant skin laxity, your neck fullness has developed with aging and looks different as you get older, or your main issue is diffuse facial aging, in which case a deep plane facelift may be recommended as well. It may also not be appropriate if you are looking for a no-downtime treatment, excess weight is the main reason for the fullness beneath your chin, and liposuction may be needed as well, you smoke or cannot commit to proper healing, or you expect perfection rather than meaningful change.
Preparation starts with a close evaluation of the neck, chin, jawline, and profile.
The consultation is also where the chin plan is finalized. Some patients are better served with an implant. Others need osseous genioplasty for a more precise change in position.
The Forward Lift is effective because it treats the neck and chin at the same time. If only the neck is improved but the chin is not projected enough, the profile may still look weak. If only the chin is strengthened but the neck is not addressed, the lower face can still appear heavy.
The procedure is performed under anesthesia. Before surgery, the chin, jawline, and neck are marked carefully based on the surgical plan.
This is the first major part of the operation. The neck is addressed at a deeper level, not just tightened from the surface. Depending on the anatomy, this may include tightening the platysma muscles, removing deeper fat beneath the platysma, and reducing prominent submandibular glands when they are contributing to fullness under the jaw.
This step changes the shape of the neck. Surface liposuction cannot reach these deeper areas, and skin tightening alone cannot reshape them. The heaviness needs to be treated directly.
Once the neck contour is improved, the chin is brought into better projection. Some patients are excellent candidates for a chin implant. Others need osseous genioplasty, which allows the chin bone itself to be moved forward into a better position. The choice depends on the amount of projection needed, the balance of the lower face, and the underlying skeletal anatomy.
The skin is then allowed to settle naturally over the new structure, without any forced tension. The aim is to create a clean neckline and a sharper jaw, without making the face look tight or overdone.
Recovery is usually more noticeable than painful. The neck may feel tight, and the area under the chin can stay swollen. The shape improves early, but the final result takes time.
Most patients want 7-10 days before being seen socially. If bruising is heavier or the neck work is more extensive, you may want closer to 2 to 3 weeks.
Walking is encouraged early. Heavy lifting, strenuous workouts, and anything that increases pressure in the face or neck usually need to wait until you are cleared.
Sleep while lying completely flat. Sleeping on your back as flat as you can allows swelling to sink to the sides and drain out the lymphatics that have not been altered with surgery. Take good care of your incisions. Wear compression if your doctor recommends it. Keep healing skin out of the sun. Give your neck time to heal, and remember that early results are not the final outcome.
You will notice improvement early on, but the final results take time to appear.
| Stage | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| First 1–2 weeks | Swelling and bruising, early improvement in chin-neck definition |
| Weeks 3–6 | Better contour, shadows beneath the jawline show, chin projection balances the face |
| Months 2–3 | Cleaner neckline, sharper jawline, stronger profile |
| Months 6+ | Mature result with settled tissue and refined lower-face balance |
Most patients notice the jawline first. Then the profile starts to look the way it always should have.
The Forward Lift lasts a long time because it changes the structure of the lower face, not just how it looks on the surface. Removing excess tissue restructures the neck, and the changed shape will last for decades. Longevity depends on skin laxity, age, facial aging, weight stability, healing quality, and genetics. When the neck is properly reshaped and the chin is in the right position, the results usually last for many years.
There is generally minimal visible scarring with the Forward Lift. There is an incision under the chin, hidden in a crease behind the chin pad. Small incisions behind the earlobe may be needed to further tighten the platysma and lift the hyoid. The incision for the genioplasty is inside the mouth and not visible.
At first, scars may look pink or feel firm, which is normal. They will soften and lighten over time. Taking care of your scars, protecting them from the sun, and being patient all help.
The Forward Lift makes the most sense when the lower-face problem is structural.
| Option | Best For | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Neck liposuction | Superficial fat related to weight gain in a younger patient | Does not tighten muscles, remove deep fat, or improve a weak chin |
| Genioplasty alone | Weak chin with a fairly clean neck | Will not correct deeper neck fullness |
| Deep neck lift alone | Heavy neck with adequate chin projection | May still leave the profile underpowered |
| Forward Lift | Heavy neck plus weak chin in a younger patient, usually 20s and 30s | Complete correction of genetically heavy neck, but does not remove skin. A concurrent facelift may be suggested if aging face is contributing to neck fullness, and excess skin needs to be removed |
| Full Face and Neck Lift | Heavy Neck due to aging, loose skin in lower face and neck, usually late 40s, 50s, 60s | Complete correction of a heavy neck caused by sagging skin and lower face drooping into neck |
The Forward Lift exists for the patient who needs both halves of the fix.
The Forward Lift can be performed alone or combined with other procedures when more than one area contributes to the patient’s concerns. The right plan depends on whether the heaviness comes from inherited neck anatomy, facial aging, skin quality, or a combination of these factors.
For younger patients whose concerns are caused by genetics, the Forward Lift may provide the correction they need without a full facelift. The procedure combines a structural neck lift with genioplasty to remove excess deep fat, reduce prominent or low salivary glands, tighten the platysma, and bring the chin forward. Advancing the chin also pulls the attached skin and muscles forward and helps elevate the hyoid bone, creating a sharper angle between the chin and neck. This approach can produce a cleaner jawline, a more defined neckline, and better balance between the chin and nose while preserving a feminine, natural appearance.
A deep plane facelift may be recommended when aging has contributed to sagging tissues, jowling, or heaviness throughout the lower face. The Forward Lift addresses the deeper contents of the neck and the position of the chin, while a facelift repositions facial tissues that have descended over time. Combining them allows Dr. Rodman to treat both structural anatomy and facial aging during one surgical plan.
Additional procedures may be included when they support the patient’s overall facial balance. Skin resurfacing can improve wrinkles and skin texture that surgery does not correct. A brow lift or blepharoplasty may be considered when heaviness around the brows or eyes is also present. For select patients, a lip lift can improve the proportions of the lower face.
Dr. Rodman evaluates each area separately and recommends additional treatment only when it contributes to a more complete, balanced result.
The Forward Lift needs two types of precision: deep neck contouring and chin positioning.
That means understanding where the heaviness is actually coming from, how much of it sits beneath the platysma, how the neck will look once those deeper structures are reduced, and how much chin projection is needed to support the new shape. It also means choosing the right chin operation for the anatomy in front of you.
This procedure works best when the neck and chin are treated together as one design challenge. The goal is for the results to look strong, balanced, and natural from every angle.
Cost depends on how much deep neck work is required and whether the chin is treated with an implant or osseous genioplasty. Exact pricing is given after consultation.
No. It is not a standard facelift for an aging face. It is a neck-and-chin procedure for younger patients who need lower-face structure more than general facial rejuvenation.
Possibly, yes. This procedure is specifically intended for younger patients whose lower-face structure looks heavy even though the rest of the face still looks young.
That depends on your anatomy and preferences. Dr. Rodman will discuss all options with you at your consultation.
Yes, especially when the fullness is caused by inherited neck anatomy.
No. Patients' superficial fat related to weight gain can also be removed during a Forward Lift. Often, people have a mix of both. Dr. Rodman removes fat as needed on both levels to give the sharp neck and jawline contour patients want.
Most patients want at least 1 week off work, ideally with light duty days 7-14. Patients should plan 7-10 days before being seen socially, sometimes longer, depending on bruising and swelling.
Schedule Your Houston Plastic Surgery Consultation Today
The Face Forward process starts with a consultation. You will meet with Dr. Rodman (either in the office or via video call) to discuss the result or look you want to achieve. Dr. Rodman will review and educate you about your options and schedule you for the procedure of your choice. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled as necessary. Achieve your look and enjoy the new you! Schedule your consultation for plastic surgery in Houston at Face Forward today.
427 W 20th Street Suite 100, Houston TX 77008
Monday - 9am - 5pm
Tuesday - 9am - 5pm
Wednesday - 9am - 5pm
Thursday - 9am - 5pm
Friday - 7:30am - 3:30pm
