Neck lift
Recovery time: 2-3 weeks
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About this procedure
Restoring the jaw-and-neck contour lost to sagging skin, a double chin and laxity of the platysma muscle. Combined with submental liposuction and platysma plasty when needed.
Who is it for?
Suitable
- People with age-related sagging and laxity of the neck skin who feel that the jaw-neck angle has been lost
- Patients with sagging under the chin — the excess fat and skin commonly known as a "double chin"
- People with visible vertical bands on the neck (platysmal bands) — laxity of the platysma muscle along the midline
- Patients left with loose neck skin after significant weight loss whose weight has already stabilized
- Candidates whose general health is suitable for surgery and who are non-smokers or ready to quit before the operation
- People with realistic expectations of the outcome — seeking a visible improvement in the neck contour without aiming to change other areas of the face
May not be suitable
- Patients with a bleeding disorder or who cannot stop blood-thinning medications before surgery
- People with uncontrolled chronic illnesses (unregulated diabetes, severe cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension)
- Patients planning major weight loss in the near future — weight stabilization is expected first, otherwise the neck sagging may recur
- Young patients with elastic skin whose complaint consists only of a small amount of under-chin fat — in this case submental liposuction alone, rather than a full neck lift, may be sufficient (assessed separately)
- People with an active skin infection or an unhealed wound in the neck area (treatment is required first)
- Candidates with suspected body dysmorphic disorder or unrealistic expectations from a small change
- Women who are pregnant — the operation is postponed until after childbirth
- People not willing to quit smoking — nicotine impairs the blood supply of the neck skin and increases the risk of wound-healing problems
Suitability is confirmed only at a doctor's examination. Results are individual.
The process step by step
- 1
Initial consultation and assessment of the neck area(30-45 minutes)
The plastic surgeon listens to the patient's complaints and identifies the cause of the neck sagging: excess fat (double chin), loose skin, or weakening of the platysma muscle. Based on this assessment, it is decided whether submental liposuction alone or a full neck lift combined with platysmaplasty is needed.
- 2
Tests and pre-operative preparation(1-2 days)
Blood tests and a general health assessment for anesthesia are carried out. Instructions are given on stopping blood-thinning medications, quitting smoking, and the day of surgery.
- 3
Surgical planning(1 session)
The incision lines (a small incision under the chin and lines behind the ears) are determined. The extent of liposuction, the midline suturing of the platysma muscle (platysmaplasty), and the amount of skin to be removed are finalized together with the patient.
- 4
Anesthesia(15-20 minutes)
A full neck lift is usually performed under general anesthesia. For smaller-scale interventions such as submental liposuction alone, local anesthesia combined with sedation may be sufficient.
- 5
Surgery(2-3 hours)
Excess fat tissue is removed by liposuction through the small incision under the chin, and the loosened platysma muscle is sutured and tightened along the midline. Excess skin is removed through the incisions behind the ears, and the remaining skin is redraped in a natural direction. Fine sutures are placed at the end, and a temporary drain is sometimes inserted.
- 6
Initial recovery and observation(24 hours)
The patient is fitted with an elastic supportive dressing (neck compression garment). The first night is usually spent under observation at the clinic, and if a drain was placed, it is removed within 1-2 days.
Recovery process
Swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness in the neck and under-chin area are most pronounced during this period. A sense of compression in the neck and mild discomfort when swallowing are normal. Sutures are usually removed on day 7-10, and the elastic neck garment is worn continuously according to the regimen set by the doctor.
Restriction: Sharply bending the head forward, heavy lifting, and abrupt neck movements are limited. Keeping the head elevated on several pillows while sleeping is recommended.
Bruising resolves, most of the swelling subsides, and the jawline starts to become defined. Most patients can return to work and daily activities by the end of this period.
Restriction: Sports, sauna, swimming pool, and direct sun exposure are still not advised. The neck garment is usually now worn only at night.
Tightness and numbness in the neck skin gradually decrease, and the contour becomes even clearer. A mild firmness may be felt under the skin — this is a normal stage of the healing process.
Restriction: Heavy exercise and workouts that strain the neck are gradually resumed with the doctor's approval.
Residual swelling fully resolves, the scars behind the ears and under the chin fade, and the final neck contour becomes fully visible during this period. Sensation also usually returns to normal within this time.
Restriction: No special restrictions; daily life is fully normal.
Risks and transparency
Every surgical procedure carries risks. Transparency is the basis of trust for us.
- Swelling and bruising — observed in nearly every patient, gradually resolves
- Temporary numbness and altered sensation around the neck and ears (usually resolves on its own within a few weeks to months)
- Hematoma (blood collecting under the skin) — a risk requiring special attention in neck surgery; in rare cases it may need to be drained with a repeat intervention
- Temporary weakness of the marginal branch of the facial nerve that moves the lower lip — this is rare and in most cases recovers with time; it is explained in detail during the consultation
- Infection or delayed wound healing (the risk increases noticeably in patients who smoke)
- Possibility of asymmetry, skin irregularities, or contour unevenness
- How visible the scars behind the ears remain can vary depending on skin type
- Although the result is long-lasting, natural aging continues, so the neck tissues may change again over the years
- General risks associated with anesthesia (standard possibilities present in any general anesthesia)
What does the price depend on?
- Scope of the intervention — submental liposuction alone, or a full neck lift combined with platysmaplasty
- Whether it is combined with a facelift or other procedures in the same session
- Type of anesthesia (general, or sedation + local) and its duration
- Clinic equipment, observation, and overnight-stay conditions
- Surgeon's experience
- Whether the surgery is primary or revision
Frequently asked questions
How much does a neck lift cost, and what does the price depend on?
The price varies depending on the scope of the intervention — whether it is submental liposuction alone or a full neck lift combined with platysmaplasty — the type of anesthesia, and the clinic. An exact price can only be given after an in-person consultation and examination — you can book a free consultation for this.
Does a double chin always require a neck lift, or is liposuction alone enough?
It depends on the cause of the double chin. If the problem is only fat tissue under the chin and the skin is still elastic, submental liposuction performed through a small incision is often sufficient. But if the skin has loosened or the platysma muscle has weakened, removing the fat alone can make the sagging even more noticeable — in that case a full neck lift is needed. Which option is suitable is determined by examination during the consultation.
What is platysmaplasty and when is it needed?
The platysma is a thin, broad muscle covering the front of the neck. With age this muscle loosens along the midline and creates vertical bands on the neck (platysmal bands). During platysmaplasty, the edges of the muscle are sutured and tightened along the midline — this is one of the key steps in restoring the jaw-neck angle and is usually performed as part of a neck lift in patients with these bands.
Is a neck lift painful?
Since the operation is performed under general anesthesia (or sedation for smaller interventions), no pain is felt during the procedure. In the following days there may be tightness, a feeling of compression, and mild pain in the neck — this is comfortably managed with prescribed pain medication and usually decreases significantly within a week.
From what age can a neck lift be performed?
There is no specific age threshold — the decision is based on the condition of the neck tissues, not on age. Neck sagging usually becomes noticeable after the ages of 40-50, but people also seek treatment at earlier ages due to genetic structure or major weight loss. In young patients with elastic skin, submental liposuction rather than a full neck lift is often sufficient.
Are there visible scars after the operation?
Since the incisions are hidden in the natural crease under the chin and behind the ears, the scars are barely noticeable in everyday view. Lines that look reddish in the first months gradually fade; the final appearance of the scar depends on skin type and aftercare.
When can I return to work after a neck lift?
Returning to office-type work that does not require physical effort is usually possible within 2-3 weeks. Visible bruising and swelling largely resolve during this period. For physically demanding jobs, waiting a few extra weeks with the doctor's approval is recommended.
How many years does the result of a neck lift last?
The removed excess skin and fat do not come back, and the tightened platysma muscle also remains stable for a long time. Nevertheless, since natural aging continues, the neck slowly keeps changing over the years. A stable weight, sun protection, and staying away from smoking help the result last longer.
Can a neck lift be performed together with a facelift?
Yes — because the neck and the lower part of the face form a single aesthetic unit, a neck lift is very often combined with a facelift in the same operation. In patients unhappy only with the neck area, a neck lift can also be performed on its own — which approach is suitable is assessed during the consultation.
Can neck sagging be corrected with non-surgical methods (Botox, device-based procedures)?
In mild cases some alternatives exist: Botox for the platysmal bands (the approach known as the "Nefertiti lift") or skin-tightening device procedures can help to a certain extent. However, when there is noticeable excess skin and muscle laxity, the effect of these methods is limited — in such cases lasting correction is only possible surgically. An honest answer can be given after an examination.
How long does the neck garment (dressing) need to be worn?
It is usually recommended to wear it almost continuously during the first week, and then mainly at night for the following 1-2 weeks. The exact regimen depends on the extent of the surgery and is set individually by the doctor. The garment reduces swelling and helps the tissues settle into their new contour.
My neck has sagged after losing weight — will a neck lift help?
Yes, loose skin remaining on the neck after major weight loss is one of the most common indications for a neck lift. The important condition is that the weight has already stabilized — if there is another significant weight change after the operation, the neck sagging may recur. That is why the operation is usually planned after reaching the target weight and remaining stable for a while.