Neck Lift Surgery for Loose Skin, Neck Bands & a Sharper Jawline
A neck lift focuses on the aging structures below the jawline: loose neck skin, visible platysmal bands, excess tissue beneath the chin, and loss of the clean angle between the neck and jaw. The procedure can be performed on its own when the face still looks balanced, or coordinated with other facial surgery when aging extends into the jowls and lower face.
Different neck concerns require different corrections.
A neck lift is more than skin tightening.
A neck lift, also called a lower rhytidectomy, is surgery designed to improve visible aging in the neck and jawline. Depending on the anatomy, the operation may involve repositioning or removing excess skin, tightening the platysma muscle, sculpting fat beneath the chin and jaw, and redraping the skin over a more defined underlying contour.
Turkey neck / loose neck skin
Excess skin can hang beneath the jaw after aging, genetics, or weight change. A true skin excess usually requires surgical removal or repositioning for meaningful correction.
Vertical neck bands
Visible platysmal bands can create cords down the front of the neck. Muscle tightening, often called platysmaplasty, may be part of the correction.
Fullness under the chin
Submental fat may contribute to a heavy neck, but the right treatment depends on skin elasticity, muscle laxity, and deeper neck anatomy.
Soft jawline definition
The neck-jaw transition can become less distinct when tissue descends or the neck contour becomes fuller.
Changes after weight loss
Weight loss can improve fullness while revealing loose neck skin that no longer contracts to the new contour.
Neck aging without major facial aging
Some patients like their cheeks and upper face but feel the neck looks older. A neck-focused procedure may be considered without a full facelift.
The same “turkey neck” appearance can come from very different anatomy.
Good neck contour depends on the relationship between skin, superficial and deeper fat, the platysma muscle, the chin and jaw, and the angle where the neck meets the underside of the jaw. The surgical plan should target the structures actually creating the problem.
Skin
Skin can become loose, wrinkled, or redundant. Liposuction alone does not remove substantial excess skin.
Platysma
The thin neck muscle can separate or become more visible as vertical bands. Selected patients benefit from muscle tightening or repositioning.
Fat & deeper structure
Fullness may sit above or below the platysma, and jaw or chin anatomy can influence how sharp the neck angle appears.
Three procedures that are often confused, but do different jobs.
Choosing the right operation is mostly about identifying whether the concern is fat, loose neck skin and muscle, lower-face descent, or a combination.
Neck Lift
Best suited to neck-specific laxity such as loose neck skin, platysmal banding, turkey neck, and loss of neck-jaw definition. It may include fat contouring but is not simply liposuction.
Chin Liposuction
Targets localized fat beneath the chin in patients whose skin and underlying support can reasonably adapt after fat removal. It does not remove significant loose skin or directly repair platysmal bands. Compare chin liposuction.
Facelift
Targets lower-face descent and jowling in addition to the jawline and often the neck. When facial aging is substantial, combining lower-face and neck correction may create better balance than treating the neck alone. Compare facelift surgery.
What these neck-lift terms actually mean.
These phrases are often used online as though they are interchangeable. They are not. A surgeon may combine several techniques in one operation depending on what is happening above, within, and below the platysma.
Platysmaplasty
Platysmaplasty refers specifically to surgical work on the platysma muscle. It may be used when vertical bands, muscle separation, or poor midline support contribute to neck laxity.
- Addresses muscle banding rather than skin alone
- May use an incision beneath the chin depending on the plan
- Can be performed as part of a broader neck lift
Limited-incision or “mini” neck lift
A limited-incision approach uses shorter incisions and generally offers a more limited degree of correction. It may be considered for selected patients with earlier or more localized laxity.
- Not automatically better because the scar is shorter
- Not appropriate for every amount of loose skin
- Technique should follow anatomy, not marketing terminology
Deep neck lift
“Deep neck lift” is commonly used for approaches that address structures beneath the platysma rather than limiting the operation to superficial fat and skin. The exact definition and technique vary between surgeons.
- May involve deeper fat or other subplatysmal structures
- Should not be assumed necessary for every patient
- Your surgeon should explain exactly which structures are being treated
Traditional neck lift
A traditional neck lift can combine skin redraping, removal of excess skin, fat sculpting, and platysma work through incisions placed around the ear and sometimes beneath the chin.
- Designed for more meaningful skin and muscle laxity
- Incision pattern depends on the amount of correction required
- Often provides broader access than a limited-incision approach
How neck lift surgery is planned.
The surgeon evaluates the neck from the front, side, and beneath the chin. Skin quality, fat distribution, platysmal bands, jawline support, chin projection, jowling, scars, prior procedures, medical history, and the amount of change you want all influence the surgical plan.
The operation is customized. A patient whose main problem is loose skin may need a different plan from someone whose neck is full because of fat and muscle anatomy.
Identify the structure causing the contour problem
Skin, fat, platysma, jaw support, or several structures may contribute.
Choose the incision and depth of correction
The incision pattern and surgical layers are selected based on the degree and location of laxity.
Reshape the neck
Fat may be sculpted, the platysma may be tightened, and skin may be redraped with excess removed when appropriate.
Protect the result during healing
Dressings, drains, positioning, activity restrictions, and follow-up are individualized to the operation performed.
Think in phases, not in one “downtime” number.
Swelling, bruising, tightness, numbness, and temporary asymmetry are common early. A dressing may be used around the face and neck, and some patients have a small drain. Recovery instructions vary with the technique and any procedures performed at the same time.
Protect the neck
Keep your head elevated and avoid excessive twisting or bending. Follow the surgeon's instructions for dressings and drains.
Visible recovery continues
Bruising and swelling begin to improve, but social readiness varies widely by the extent of surgery and individual healing.
Activity returns gradually
Driving, exercise, lifting, and work should resume according to surgeon clearance rather than a generic timeline.
Contour keeps refining
Residual swelling can take weeks to months to settle, and incision lines continue maturing over time.
Recovery note: follow your surgeon's specific instructions. Do not improvise swelling treatments, compression, massage, or ice unless you have been told they are appropriate for your operation.
Current Adonis pricing: $10,500–$15,000.
Your final quote depends on the surgical plan, including whether the neck requires skin excision, platysma work, fat contouring, a limited or broader incision pattern, anesthesia and facility needs, prior surgery, and whether another facial procedure is being performed at the same time.
This page uses the current Adonis pricing range rather than generic Los Angeles estimates. Your consultation determines which operation is appropriate and what the final itemized quote includes.
View plastic surgery pricingFinancing may be available.
Qualified patients can review payment-plan options for eligible surgical costs. Approval, credit limits, interest, promotional terms, and repayment schedules are determined by the financing provider.
Explore payment plansWho may be a good candidate?
Neck lift candidates are generally healthy enough for elective surgery, do not smoke or are prepared to follow the surgeon's smoking restrictions, have realistic expectations, and are bothered by neck changes that surgery can reasonably improve.
Age alone does not determine candidacy. Anatomy, skin quality, medical health, healing risk, previous surgery, and the specific problem being treated matter more.
What a neck lift can and cannot do.
A neck lift can improve the contour of loose neck skin, muscle banding, selected fat deposits, and the neck-jaw transition. It does not stop aging and it cannot change every structural feature of the neck.
Final contour develops gradually as swelling resolves. Incision lines also mature over several months.
Neck lift surgery requires a real risk discussion.
Potential risks include anesthesia complications, bleeding or hematoma, infection, fluid accumulation, numbness or altered sensation, prolonged swelling, poor wound healing, visible or unfavorable scarring, skin irregularity or skin loss, asymmetry, persistent pain, suture problems, hair loss near incisions, rare nerve injury causing lower-lip weakness, and the possibility of revision surgery. Your surgeon should review the risks that apply to your individual plan before you consent to surgery.
Questions patients actually ask about turkey neck, platysma, scars, cost, and recovery.
What is a neck lift?
A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is surgery that improves visible aging in the jawline and neck. Depending on anatomy, it can address loose neck skin, fat beneath the chin, platysmal banding, and loss of neck-jaw definition.
What is platysmaplasty?
Platysmaplasty is surgical tightening or repositioning of the platysma muscle. It is commonly used when vertical neck bands or muscle separation contribute to the contour problem.
Can a neck lift get rid of turkey neck?
Loose hanging neck skin is one of the classic reasons patients consider neck lift surgery. The amount of correction depends on skin excess, muscle laxity, fat, and the underlying neck anatomy.
What is the difference between neck lift and chin liposuction?
Chin liposuction primarily removes localized fat. A neck lift can address loose skin and platysma muscle laxity in addition to selected fat. Patients with significant loose skin generally need more than fat removal alone.
What is the difference between a neck lift and a facelift?
A neck lift concentrates on the neck and jawline. A facelift addresses descent of the lower face and jowls and may include the neck. If both lower-face and neck aging are significant, a combined plan may be recommended.
What is a mini neck lift?
“Mini neck lift” generally refers to a limited-incision approach for selected patients with less extensive laxity. Shorter incisions can also mean a more limited correction, so candidacy depends on anatomy rather than the appeal of a smaller scar.
What is a deep neck lift?
The term generally describes approaches that treat structures beneath the platysma. Definitions and techniques vary between surgeons, so ask exactly what tissues would be addressed in your specific operation rather than relying on the label alone.
Where are neck lift scars?
A traditional neck lift incision commonly travels around the ear and into the hairline, with a separate incision beneath the chin sometimes used for muscle repair or submental contouring. Limited-incision approaches use shorter incisions but may offer less correction.
How long is neck lift recovery?
Visible bruising and swelling are most noticeable early, while deeper healing continues for weeks to months. Work, driving, exercise, and social readiness vary with the extent of surgery and should be discussed with your surgeon.
How long do neck lift results last?
A neck lift can create long-lasting structural improvement, but it does not stop aging. Genetics, sun exposure, weight changes, skin quality, and time continue to affect the neck after surgery.
How much does a neck lift cost at Adonis?
The current published Adonis range is $10,500 to $15,000. The final itemized quote depends on your surgical plan, anesthesia and facility requirements, and whether other procedures are combined.
Does insurance cover cosmetic neck lift surgery?
Cosmetic neck lift surgery is generally self-pay. Coverage questions for reconstructive or medically necessary conditions depend on the diagnosis, procedure, plan rules, network status, and insurer authorization.
Do you see neck lift patients from Redondo Beach and Long Beach?
Yes. Adonis Plastic Surgery is in Torrance and serves patients from Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, San Pedro, El Segundo, and throughout the South Bay and Greater Los Angeles.
Where can I read more about turkey neck surgery?
Adonis has a separate educational article about surgical approaches to turkey neck. Read the turkey neck surgery guide.
Find out whether your neck needs fat removal, muscle correction, skin tightening, or a combination.
A board-certified plastic surgeon can evaluate the structures creating the fullness, banding, laxity, or loss of jawline definition and explain which surgical approach fits your anatomy.