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Darren M. Smith, MD, FACS

MyEllevate® in NYC

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The Future of Neck Rejuvenation Tailored to Your Aesthetic Goals

Many patients want better definition in the neck and jawline without the incisions and recovery of a traditional neck lift.

MyEllevate® is a cutting-edge neck rejuvenation procedure that allows Dr. Smith to expertly contour and tighten the neck and jawline through minimally invasive suturing techniques.

MyEllevate® uses advanced suturing technology for precise placement, and can produce natural-looking definition that once required a traditional neck lift. Results vary from patient to patient.

Understanding the Need for Neck Rejuvenation

As we age, the neck area often begins to show classic signs of aging such as sagging skin, loose platysmal bands, and the presence of a double chin. The skin around our neck and décolletage also undergoes changes with time.

It becomes thinner and more prone to sun damage, resulting in sagging skin, wrinkles, and discoloration. Addressing these aging concerns through neck rejuvenation can help restore a more youthful and refined appearance.

Benefits of MyEllevate®

MyEllevate® is a minimally invasive neck lift procedure that provides an alternative to traditional surgical neck lifts. It involves the placement of adjustable sutures beneath the skin using the ICLED® light-guided suture system. These sutures are then anchored to the earlobe area, allowing for repositioning and lifting of sagging neck and jawline tissues.

Some key benefits of MyEllevate® include:

  • Minimally invasive option:MyEllevate® is performed through 2mm port sites rather than the long incisions of a conventional neck lift, so recovery is generally shorter. It is still a surgical procedure and carries risk.
  • Fast recovery: The in-office procedure takes about an hour to perform under local anesthesia. Most patients find they can resume regular activities within a few days.
  • Durable results: MyEllevate® tightens loose skin and redefines the jawline and neck profile. The support the sutures provide is durable, but it does not stop aging, and the neck will continue to change over time.
  • Natural appearance: The procedure is designed to look natural rather than operated on, and it addresses signs of an aging neck through small port sites.
  • Minimally invasive:By employing 2mm port access techniques and the ICLED® system, MyEllevate® lifts and tones sagging neck and jowl tissues with minimal invasiveness.

How MyEllevate® Differs from Other Procedures

Unlike traditional surgical facelifts or neck lifts, MyEllevate® does not require long incisions or the extensive downtime associated with skin removal and tissue redraping. Dr. Smith performs the procedure under local anesthesia in his QUAD A accredited in-office surgical suite.

MyEllevate® utilizes the proprietary ICLED lifting suture system to strengthen and lift the platysma muscles and support tissues beneath the skin. This allows for the redistribution of sagging skin and the definition of the jawline contours. Other important differences include:

ParameterDifference
AnesthesiaLocal anesthetic is used instead of general or IV  sedation like in classic surgery.
ApproachICLED sutures are inserted rather than open surgical dissection of tissues.
RecoveryMost patients recover rapidly within a few days versus weeks for traditional surgical options. Mild swelling and bruising resolve within a few days.
CostMyEllevate® is less costly and invasive than traditional surgical lifting methods.
UseCan be combined with other tailored treatments or performed as a standalone lifting procedure.

MyEllevate recovery and what to expect

The recovery period after a MyEllevate® procedure is short, but you must wear a compression garment and neck immobilization collar for a period after the procedure. Minor swelling, bruising, and discomfort generally subside within about 4 days. Other things to expect include:

  • Some mild bruising, dimpling, or tightness of the tissues may be felt for up to 2 weeks as the sutures and tissues settle into their new position.
  • You can usually return to normal activities, including work, within a few days, and resume with light exercise within 1-2 weeks. This is much faster than traditional neck lift surgery, which can require weeks to heal fully.
  • Some soreness, tightness, or mild swelling may be felt in the first couple of days. Over-the-counter pain medications should be sufficient to manage any discomfort.
  • Bruising generally resolves within a few days.
  • By the 2-week mark, the neck will feel tight and show the beginnings of its rejuvenated appearance.
  • Final results continue to improve over 1 to 3 months as healing continues. 
  • Most patients feel comfortable resuming normal social activities within a short time.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for MyEllevate®?

The best candidates for MyEllevate® are individuals who have mild to moderate signs of neck and jawline aging. They should exhibit good overall physical health without serious medical issues.

Additional qualities of ideal MyEllevate® patients include:

  • Non-smokers, as smoking can impede healing.
  • Those with muscle (platysma) laxity causing vertical neck banding.
  • Those desiring neck rejuvenation without extensive open surgery.

At your consultation, Dr. Smith evaluates your medical history, lifestyle factors, and skin characteristics to determine whether MyEllevate® is appropriate for you. He will also set expectations: the procedure does not replace a facelift or neck lift, though it can provide meaningful contour improvement in properly selected patients.

For executives with busy lifestyles, MyEllevate® is appealing due to its minimally invasive nature and rapid recovery timeline that allows a return to work in just a few days as opposed to the weeks off of work required by more traditional procedures.

Overall, MyEllevate® is a good fit for those with mild to moderate signs of neck aging who would like to address them with a minimally invasive procedure. It is a particularly useful option for those with vertical neck bands, which are difficult to address without an open procedure.

Complementary Procedures

For more comprehensive neck and jawline contouring, MyEllevate® can be combined effectively with certain complementary minimally invasive procedures.

TreatmentDescription
Submental LiposuctionHelps further define the jawline through fat reduction underneath the chin and neck area. It can be performed alone or with MyEllevate®.
Energy-Based Skin Tightening Technologies like radiofrequency (FaceTite) deliver therapeutic heating to simultaneously melt fat and tighten loose skin over the treated region. This achieves enhanced skin contraction.
Combination TreatmentsCombining VASER liposuction of the neck with a skin-tightening technology such as FaceTite works in concert with MyEllevate® to refine the neck and jawline contour. This approach removes fat and tightens skin while MyEllevate® supports the platysma muscle. Dr. Smith uses VASER in virtually every liposuction case, including the neck, since he finds it substantially reduces blood loss and the deep tissue tightening it produces adds a contouring advantage.

When combined strategically, these complementary minimally invasive techniques augment the contour-enhancing effects of MyEllevate®. They work synergistically to eliminate unflattering fat deposits, tighten loose skin, and support lax muscle to redefine the structure of the lower face and neckline.

Why Choose Dr. Darren M. Smith

Dr. Darren M. Smith is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is one of New York City's most sought-after surgeons for neck and jawline work.

Expertise

Having completed fellowship training in both aesthetic surgery and craniofacial surgery, Dr. Smith brings a detailed working knowledge of facial anatomy to this procedure. The aim is a natural result that suits your features rather than an overdone one.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Dr. Smith operates in a QUAD A accredited in-office outpatient surgical suite in the Ritz Tower at 111 East 57th Street. ICLED guidance lets him work through very small port sites, so the marks they leave are small and fade over time, though they do not disappear entirely.

Speedy Recovery

Minimally invasive approaches like MyEllevate® generally mean a shorter recovery than traditional face and neck rejuvenation techniques, though you should still plan for several days of swelling and bruising.

Personalized Care

Beginning with a detailed consultation, Dr. Smith and his team will learn about you and your goals and design a treatment plan built around what you want to change.

Schedule a Consultation for MyEllevate®

If you’ve been considering a minimally invasive option to address signs of aging on your neck and lower face, it’s time to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Smith for a custom procedure plan.

Dr. Smith and his staff give you the attention and information you need to decide on a treatment path. You are entrusting your care to one of the most highly skilled plastic surgeons in the field.

Contact our office to arrange a consultation with Dr. Darren M. Smith and find out whether MyEllevate® suits your neck and jawline.

Results are durable, though they do not stop the aging process.

MyEllevate® in the Heart of New York City

Dr. Smith’s practice is located at the Ritz Tower, 111 East 57th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10022, in Midtown Manhattan. The office welcomes patients from across the five boroughs, the tri-state area, and well beyond.

Choosing where you have surgery matters as much as choosing who performs it. New Yorkers come to Dr. Smith because his work reflects the city itself: refined, exacting, and never one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or traveling in for a consultation, you’ll find a practice that treats every patient with precision and discretion that have made Manhattan a destination for plastic surgery patients from around the world.

YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

Care begins
with listening.

Discuss your priorities, ask questions and explore treatment options with our team.

Our practice is located at the Ritz Tower, 111 East 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan. We welcome patients from the five boroughs and the surrounding tri-state area. If you are traveling for care, explore our guide for out-of-town patients.

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CONTACT US212.633.0627