The neck is one of the first areas to reveal signs of aging, and for many patients, it’s also one of the most difficult to address through non-surgical means alone. At Richmond Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Neil Zemmel and Dr. Brandon Nuckles offer neck lift surgery to help restore a smoother, more youthful contour to the neck and jawline — whether as a standalone procedure or in combination with a facelift for more comprehensive rejuvenation.

What Is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure designed to restore a more youthful contour to the neck and jawline by addressing the changes that come with age. Over time, the neck muscles can lose tone and definition, causing the defined angle between the neck and jaw to soften and widen.

Muscle laxity can also lead to visible banding or cords along the neck, while a loss of fatty tissue beneath the skin may make these muscle fibers more prominent. For some patients, excess fat under the chin creates the appearance of a double chin. A neck lift can address all of these concerns, helping patients look as young as they feel.

Am I a Candidate for Neck Lift Surgery?

Patients bothered by sagging skin, muscle laxity, or loss of definition in the neck and jawline may be good candidates for a neck lift. Because the face and neck tend to age together, a facelift is frequently recommended alongside a neck lift for patients who also have aging changes in the face. For those whose aging is more concentrated in the neck, an isolated neck lift may be all that is needed.

Candidates should be in generally good health, with any underlying conditions such as hypertension or diabetes well controlled prior to surgery. Tobacco users must stop at least 6 weeks before and after the procedure. Your plastic surgeon will review your medical history in full to confirm that neck lift surgery is an appropriate option for you.

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Do I Need a Facelift with My Neck Lift?

To determine if you need a facelift in addition to your neck lift procedure, your surgeon will evaluate the location and extent of your aging concerns. As noted above, aging is typically not localized to one area and, instead, tends to gradually occur across both the face and neck. In some cases, patients may have more accelerated aging in one area compared to the other, requiring only one procedure to provide natural-looking results.

For many patients, however, our surgeon will recommend a combination face and neck lift surgery to tighten skin and neck muscles as well as remove excess tissue. By addressing both areas at once, you can obtain a more uniform rejuvenation and avoid the unnatural appearance of your face and neck looking to age at different rates. The best option for your needs will be discussed with you during your consultation.

What Happens in the Neck Lift Consultation?

Your neck lift consultation is an important first step in the surgical process. Here’s what you can expect:

Meet with your surgeon: Your plastic surgeon will sit down with you to discuss your concerns, aesthetic goals, and what you hope to achieve with surgery.
Facial examination: You will undergo a detailed evaluation of your facial anatomy and the specific age-related changes you are most concerned with. This allows your surgeon to develop a surgical plan tailored to your needs.
Medical history review: Your surgeon will also assess your overall health to identify any conditions that could affect your results or safety, such as uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, a history of scarring, or tobacco use. You may be asked to see your primary care physician for a pre-operative clearance. Please be sure to inform our team of any prior surgical complications, all current medications and supplements, and whether you are an active smoker. If you smoke, you will need to stop at least 6 weeks before and after surgery to minimize the risk of complications and support optimal healing.
Review of your surgical plan: Your surgeon will walk you through the recommended operative plan, including the risks involved and the realistic results you can expect to achieve.

The Day of Your Neck Lift Surgery

On the day of surgery, you will meet your surgeon to ask any final questions that you may have. You will meet a board-certified anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist who will provide your anesthesia. Neck lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia, since they are frequently combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures. However, twilight anesthesia can be used for neck lifts in certain cases. Please inform the anesthesia team of any particular difficulties you may have had with prior surgeries, especially anesthesia-related nausea. You will meet our experienced intraoperative nursing staff who will care for you during surgery.

The typical neck lift takes approximately 2 hours; however, surgical times may vary with the addition of other procedures. Patients with isolated neck lifts can usually go home the same day; however, when combined with other procedures, you may be recommended to stay overnight for observation and your comfort.

What Does the Neck Lift Procedure Entail?

A neck lift is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Here is a general overview of what the surgery involves:

Anesthesia and Preparation

Before the incisions are made, a solution containing local anesthetic and medication to minimize bleeding is administered to improve comfort and reduce bleeding during surgery.
Incisions

Surgery begins with a series of well-concealed incisions behind the ear and along the hairline. A small additional incision is typically made in the natural crease beneath the chin. Through these incisions, the skin is gently lifted to expose the underlying neck muscle, known as the platysma — a fan-shaped muscle that runs from behind the ear, along the jawline, down to the collarbone. You can actually see this muscle in action by tightening your neck with an exaggerated frown.
Liposuction

In patients with excess fat beneath the skin, liposuction is performed at this stage to help reshape and refine the neck contour before the deeper work begins.
Muscle Tightening

The most important part of the procedure is repositioning and tightening the platysma. Through the incision under the chin, any thick bands along the muscle edges are released and the muscle is sutured together. The portion of the muscle near the ear is then lifted and secured to the area behind the ear, creating a muscular sling that restores the natural definition between the neck and jawline that is often lost with age.
Skin Redraping and Closure

Once the underlying muscle is tightened, the skin is smoothed over the newly contoured neck and any excess is removed. The incisions are then closed, and a soft drain is placed beneath the skin to collect any fluid that may accumulate in the days following surgery.

What Can I Expect in My Neck Lift Recovery?

Every patient’s recovery is a little different, but here is a general timeline of what you can expect following neck lift surgery:

Immediately after surgery: You will be placed in a loosely applied soft dressing before leaving the surgical facility. You will receive detailed instructions on how to care for your dressings and drain at home.
Days 1–4: Some swelling and bruising is normal and expected. While noticeable, you should still be able to see an immediate improvement in the appearance of your neck. Post-operative drains are typically removed within the first 2 to 4 days. Pain is typically manageable with oral medication, and medication for nausea will also be provided. Keeping your head elevated during this period can help reduce swelling.
Days 5–7: Bruising typically begins to subside around this point. You will be fitted with a compression garment to help reshape the neck and reduce swelling. Most sutures are removed approximately 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Weeks 1–2: Most of the initial swelling and bruising will have resolved by the end of the second week. You may notice some temporary numbness around the incisions or mild weakness in the muscles near the lips and mouth; this is normal and typically resolves within a few weeks.
Weeks 4–12: As residual swelling continues to fade, your results should become increasingly apparent. Most patients see their final results take shape within 3 months of surgery, revealing a more youthful neck contour and improved definition along the jawline.

Neck Lift Complications

Neck lifts performed by a qualified plastic surgeon are rarely associated with complications. The most common complications are hematomas (blood collections deep to the surgical incision) and temporary facial numbness and weakness, described above. Rarely, permanent nerve injury occurs that may require correction with additional surgical procedures.

Scabbing along or adjacent to incisions may occur occasionally, especially in smokers. Such wound healing issues are readily managed with wound care using antibiotic ointment. Wound infections after a neck lift are very rare and are usually managed with antibiotics.

Scars should continue to fade over the first year, becoming less noticeable. To prolong your results and support healthy healing, wearing sun protection and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are strongly recommended.

How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?

Neck lift surgery typically costs between $10,000 and $15,000 on average. This estimate includes associated fees such as anesthesia, the surgical facility, and post-operative visits. However, the total cost can vary based on the details of your customized surgical plan and whether additional procedures are performed at the same time.

Following your consultation, you will be provided a personalized quote outlining all fees related to your procedure. If you have any questions about pricing, our team is always available to assist you. For patients interested in making treatment more affordable, we also offer financing options that allow you to break the total cost into convenient monthly payments.