A neck lift targets loose skin, vertical bands, and fullness under the chin to restore a cleaner neck–jaw angle.
If you’re happy with your mid-face but dislike a “turkey neck,” bands, or a soft jawline in profile, this procedure sits near the top of the solutions list.
What a Neck Lift Improves
You can expect improvements in:
- Neck bands (platysmal banding): internal tightening (platysmaplasty) reduces those two cords that pop out when you talk or smile.
- Loose skin under the chin and along the neck: redraping removes “waddle” and soft crepe.
- Blunted jaw–neck angle: a sharper transition from jaw to neck for a cleaner profile.
- Fullness under the chin: if there’s fat, your surgeon may remove it above and/or below the platysma.
It won’t address:
- Cheek descent or deep nasolabial folds (that’s facelift territory).
- Skin texture/sun damage (think peels, lasers, or microneedling).
- Bone structure (a weak chin sometimes benefits from an implant or filler).
Neck Lift Options
- Cervicoplasty (skin removal/redraping): focuses on excess skin.
- Platysmaplasty (muscle tightening): sutures the platysma to smooth bands and define the neck.
- “Deep neck” work (select cases): addresses subplatysmal fat, prominent digastric muscles, or bulky submandibular glands for stubborn fullness.
- Add-ons: limited submental lipo, energy-based skin polish later, or a chin implant for projection.
Benefits of Neck Lift Surgery
1) A cleaner profile that photographs well
By tightening the platysma and redraping skin, the jawline reads crisper on camera and IRL. Collars and necklaces sit better, too.
2) Strong improvement for banding
Injectables only soften bands temporarily. Platysmaplasty works at the source and lasts much longer.
3) Focused recovery compared with a full facelift
Downtime is meaningful but generally shorter than a comprehensive facelift when you only target the neck/lower border.
4) Long runway
Results typically hold for years, especially if weight stays stable and you protect your skin from sun damage.
5) Can be tailored
From a small under-chin incision with internal tightening to a more comprehensive lift with short incisions around the ear, your plan matches your anatomy and goals.
Risks of Neck Lift Surgery
Every operation carries risk. A safety-first surgeon reduces those odds with planning and technique—ask how they manage each item below.
Hematoma (blood collection)
- What it looks like: one-sided swelling, tightness, and escalating pain on the first day.
- Prevention: blood pressure control, pausing blood-thinning meds/supplements as advised, head elevation, no heavy bending/coughing strain, early check the next day.
Nerve changes
- What can happen: temporary lower-lip weakness or numbness near the ear; permanent motor nerve injury is uncommon with experienced surgeons.
- Risk reduction: gentle dissection in known danger zones, avoiding excessive traction.
Healing problems/skin loss
- Higher risk in: smokers/nicotine users and poorly controlled diabetics.
- Cut risk: zero nicotine 4–6 weeks pre/post, balanced skin tension, nutrition support, close follow-up.
Contour issues
- Examples: under- or over-resection of fat, residual bulge from deep structures, band recurrence if platysma isn’t addressed.
- Mitigation: thorough pre-op exam (including the “deep neck”), conservative lipo, direct platysma repair when needed; revision is possible if a specific issue remains.
Infection/seroma/sialocele
- Management: sterile technique, compression, early needle drainage if fluid collects, short antibiotics when indicated.
Visible scarring or hairline shift (with behind-ear incisions)
- Management: thoughtful incision placement, meticulous closure, silicone scar care, and sun protection during healing.
Blood clots (DVT/PE)
- Lower risk than body procedures, but early walking and hydration still matter.
Are You a Good Candidate?
- You point to neck bands, loose skin, or fullness under the chin as your main complaint.
- You’re healthy, non-smoker (no nicotine or vaping), and your weight is stable.
- You understand what it can and can’t do (cheek lift requires a facelift).
- You can take 10–14 days of social downtime and follow instructions closely.
If your main issue is mild fullness without skin laxity, you may do better with lipo alone. See neck lift vs. chin lipo for a detailed comparison.
Recovery (What to Expect Week by Week)
Days 0–2
- Light dressings; sometimes a small drain for a day.
- Tightness under the chin and along the sides of the neck.
- Sleep head-elevated; short, frequent walks.
Days 3–7
- Bruising shifts color; swelling softens.
- Sutures often come out by day 5–7 if external.
- Gentle neck rotation only as cleared; keep compression on as instructed.
Week 2
- Most people feel comfortable on Zoom and short outings with a scarf or high collar.
- Light daily tasks return; avoid lifting and cardio until cleared.
Weeks 3–6
- Gradual return to exercise; swelling continues to fade.
- Start or continue silicone scar therapy and sunscreen.
Months 3–6
- Final contour refines; scars fade from pink to skin tone.
- Numb areas normalize.
Scars, Sensation & “Will People Notice?”
Incisions usually hide around the ear and/or under the chin. Early on, scars look pink; over months, they flatten and fade.
Some numbness near the ear and under the chin is common and improves with time. Friends may say you look “rested” or “thinner,” but they often can’t pinpoint why—that’s the goal.
Cost, Bundling & Financing
Pricing depends on the scope (skin only vs. muscle + deep neck), surgeon experience, and OR time.
If you also need a small chin implant or submental lipo, your surgeon can price both ways so you understand the tradeoffs.
- Compare payment options for surgery financing (CareCredit/Cherry/Alphaeon vs. personal loans, promo APR traps, and sample payoff timelines).
- Keep decisions safety-led; never choose a larger operation just because financing makes the payment small.
Benefits vs. Risks
| Benefits | Why it matters |
| Sharper jaw–neck angle | Cleans up profile and side views |
| Smoother neck skin | Collars and necklaces sit better |
| Reduced banding | Longer-lasting fix than injections |
| Tailored scope | From small under-chin work to full redraping |
| Long runway | Years of improvement with good habits |
| Risks | How teams reduce them |
| Hematoma | BP control, med review, head-elevated rest, next-day check |
| Nerve changes (usually temporary) | Gentle technique in danger zones |
| Healing issues/skin loss | Zero nicotine, balanced closure, nutrition |
| Contour irregularity | Proper deep-neck assessment, conservative lipo |
| Infection/seroma | Sterile technique, compression, early aspiration |
| Noticeable scars | Thoughtful incision placement, silicone/sun block |
What to Ask in Consultation
- Do I need platysmaplasty or just skin redraping?
- Is my fullness subplatysmal (deep) or superficial fat?
- How do you manage blood pressure and nausea after surgery?
- Where will my incisions be, and how do you protect the hairline?
- How often do you do deep-neck work, and what’s your revision rate?
- What’s the follow-up schedule the first two weeks?
For a full checklist, read our article about choosing the best cosmetic surgeon.
Ready for a neck plan that fits your anatomy?
Tell us your top three concerns and the season you’re targeting. We’ll design a personalized neck-lift or neck-plus-chin plan, lay out recovery day-by-day, and show payment options that keep safety first.
