Neck Lift Surgery: Procedure, Results, Recovery & Cost

Neck lifting is surgery that tightens loose neck skin, removes or reshapes fat under the chin and jaw, and often tightens the platysma muscle that forms vertical neck bands. It suits people whose neck looks older than their face. Results last years, though the neck keeps aging. Recovery usually takes about two weeks before most people feel presentable.

neck lifting
Illustration: the platysma muscle and the fat under the chin, the two layers a neck lift most often adjusts.

This page is the starting point for our neck lift series. It gives the overview, then links to detailed guides on results, recovery, cost and alternatives.

Quick facts What to expect
Anaesthesia IV sedation or general anaesthesia (ASPS)
Incisions Around and behind the ear, plus a small cut under the chin
Stitches out Around day 7 (StatPearls)
Heavy lifting Avoid for 4 to 6 weeks
Scars mature Up to 6 months (ASPS)
US surgeon fee, 2024 $7,500 to $13,000 (ASPS)

What is neck lifting?

A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, treats loose neck skin, excess fat, muscle bands and jowls to give a smoother jaw and neck line.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US) describes a neck lift as surgery for excess fat and loose skin along the jawline, fat under the chin, loose neck skin, and the vertical bands that give a “turkey wattle” look. It is a good fit when the upper face looks fine but the neck doesn’t match.

Age is the most common factor. In 2024 ASPS data, 60% of neck lifts in the US were done in people aged 55 to 69, 20% in those aged 40 to 54 and 18% in people over 70. About 12% were done in men; our guide to neck lift for men covers how a male neck differs.

Good candidates are healthy, don’t smoke and have realistic expectations. Surgery can’t stop aging, and a plastic surgery neck lift is often combined with a facelift when the cheeks and jowls have also dropped. Our face and neck lift guide explains that combination.

The neck lift procedure

The surgeon works through incisions around the ears and under the chin to remove fat, tighten the platysma muscle and trim extra skin.

According to ASPS, the neck lift procedure follows these steps:

  1. Anaesthesia: IV sedation or general anaesthesia.
  2. Incision: the traditional incision runs from the sideburn, around the ear and into the hair behind it. Using only a short cut around the ear gives more limited results.
  3. Fat: fat under the chin can be removed or reshaped, sometimes with liposuction through a small cut under the chin.
  4. Muscle: the platysma is commonly tightened through the under-chin incision (platysmaplasty).
  5. Skin: loose skin is lifted, trimmed and closed with stitches or glue.

Less extensive options exist. A mini neck lift uses shorter incisions for people with mild changes. StatPearls, a peer-reviewed medical reference, warns that taking too much central fat can leave a hollow “cobra neck” deformity, so balance matters more than removing as much as possible.

In my practice, I check the chin and jaw bones as well as the skin. A weak chin can make the neck look fuller, and that changes the plan.

Before & after

Typical results include a sharper jawline, a clearer angle under the chin and fewer visible bands, with results showing as swelling fades.

Swelling and bruising settle over several weeks to months, and the final shape emerges gradually, according to ASPS. Results can’t be promised, and some people need a second operation. The neck also ages after surgery. A study of 50 facelift patients, reported by ASPS in 2012, found the neck lost about 70% of its improvement in the chin-neck angle by around five and a half years, more than other areas.

When you look at photos or search for a neck lift video, check that the pictures use the same lighting, head position and distance. Our neck lift before and after guide explains how to judge results.

neck lifting
Illustration: the neck in profile with the platysma bands and a typical incision path behind the ear.

Recovery & scars

Expect a dressing and possibly a drain for a day, stitches out at about a week and no heavy lifting for four to six weeks.

StatPearls describes a typical course after face and neck surgery: a pressure dressing and drains for about 24 hours, stitches removed around day 7, head kept raised for one to two weeks, and a support garment for one to two weeks. ASPS adds two points specific to the neck: keep your head straight rather than twisting it, and don’t put ice on the neck, because it can harm the skin’s blood supply.

Scars sit around and behind the ear and under the chin. Incision lines can take up to six months to mature (ASPS). Our neck lift recovery and scars timeline goes week by week.

Risks to discuss

  • Bleeding under the skin (hematoma), reported at 0.2% to 8% after face and neck lifts in StatPearls; men carry about twice the risk.
  • Numbness, prolonged swelling and poor healing.
  • Rare nerve injury that weakens the lower lip (ASPS).
  • Hair loss along incisions and unfavourable scarring.

Cost

ASPS reports a 2024 US surgeon-fee range of $7,500 to $13,000 for a neck lift, before anaesthesia and facility fees.

The 2023 ASPS average surgeon fee was $7,885. That figure leaves out anaesthesia, operating room costs, tests, garments and medicines. Insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic neck surgery. Liposuction under the chin alone had a 2024 range of $3,000 to $5,500. The neck lift cost guide lists what drives the final price.

Non-surgical options

Injections, lasers, ultrasound and threads can improve mild changes, but none removes loose skin or tightens muscle the way surgery does.

ASPS lists non-surgical choices including botulinum toxin for bands, fractional laser, fillers, fat-dissolving injections, radiofrequency microneedling and ultrasound. Each has limits:

  • Fat-dissolving deoxycholic acid injections were FDA-approved in 2015 for fat under the chin only.
  • Thread lifts have high early satisfaction, but swelling and dimpling are common side effects.
  • Plasma pens burn the skin, and Health Canada has warned about scarring and pigment change.

Our non-surgical neck lift comparison covers each option. If you’d rather start at home, see whether neck exercises, creams and devices do anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Answers on neck lift age, how long results last, combining with a facelift, downtime and whether the scars show.

What is the right age for a neck lift?

There’s no set age. Health and the amount of loose skin matter more. In 2024 US data from ASPS, most neck lifts were in people aged 55 to 69, but people in their 40s with early bands or fullness under the chin also have the surgery.

How long does a neck lift last?

Results last years, but the neck continues to age. In a study of 50 patients reported by ASPS, the chin-neck angle lost about 70% of its improvement by around five and a half years. Sun protection and a stable weight help results hold.

Do I need a facelift as well as a neck lift?

Not always. If the cheeks and jowls have also dropped, a neck lift alone can leave the face and neck looking mismatched, so surgeons often combine them. If the problem is mainly the neck, a neck lift on its own may be enough.

How much time off work is needed?

Many people take about two weeks off for desk work. Stitches usually come out around day 7, and heavy lifting is avoided for four to six weeks. Bruising and swelling can last longer, so plan events with some margin.

Will the scars be visible?

Incisions are placed around and behind the ears and under the chin, where hair and natural creases help hide them. ASPS says incision lines can take up to six months to mature. Scars fade but don’t disappear completely.

Guides in this series

Explore each topic in depth, from typical results and recovery to cost, mini procedures and options without surgery.

If you’d like a personal assessment of your neck and jawline, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi.

This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.

References

Show sources
  1. Neck lift. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
  2. Neck lift: Procedure steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
  3. Neck lift: Recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
  4. Neck lift: Results. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
  5. Neck lift: Safety. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
  6. Neck lift: Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
  7. 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2025. plasticsurgery.org
  8. Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Cervicofacial Rhytidectomy. StatPearls. Updated 2026. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  9. Journal report finds patients still look younger five years after facelift surgery. ASPS press release. 2012. plasticsurgery.org
  10. Plasma pens are not authorized in Canada and may pose health risks. Health Canada. Updated 2022. recalls-rappels.canada.ca