Neck Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lexington, Cincinnati, Knoxville, Northern and Louisville, KY
A neck lift is a contouring procedure that can resculpt the appearance of your neck and jawline by reducing loose skin, removing accumulated fat, and tightening weakened muscles. (1)
With time and age, the skin in the neck area can gradually become less elastic and start to hang, and fat can accumulate around the jawline and chin. This can create a disproportionately full appearance or lead to the development of wrinkles, neck banding, a “double chin,” or a “turkey waddle.”
The Plastic Surgeons of Lexington can perform a neck lift to help you correct these changes and restore the natural sculpt of your neck. Each of our surgeons is board-certified and has the knowledge and skill necessary to address the delicate skin in this region. This means that no matter who you work with, you will receive the most premium care available.
If you are ready to explore your neck lift options, please contact us online or call our Lexington office at (859) 276-3883. We proudly serve patients throughout Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Knoxville.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Neck Lifts
A neck lift is a surgical procedure that can recontour the neck and restore a seamless transition between your jawline, submental area, and neck. A key step in the neck lift procedure is another technique called platysmaplasty, which tightens the sagging muscles around the neck.
Many patients overlook the neck when exploring facial or surgical rejuvenation, but this area is subject to the same physical changes as the rest of the body. With a neck lift, your surgeon can remove excess fat, eliminate excess skin, and tighten your platysma muscles—sculpting an appearance that elevates both your personal aesthetic and sense of self-confidence.
Benefits
There are several benefits that you can enjoy after undergoing a neck lift, such as:
- Smoother Skin: A neck lift removes redundant skin to restore a tighter and smoother look and feel to the region.
- Softened Signs of Aging: Your surgeon can perform this procedure to address wrinkles, creases, fine lines, and vertical neck banding for a more youthful look.
- Elevated Self-Confidence: After undergoing a neck lift, many of our former patients report feeling more confident about their appearance.
- Minimal Scarring: Our surgeons place incisions in discreet, minimally visible areas to conceal the appearance of any potential scarring; both in front and behind the ears.
- Lasting Results: With a stable weight, your results can last for several years.
Candidates
You may be a suitable candidate for a neck lift if you have developed visible signs of aging across your lower face and neck, such as loose or sagging skin, vertical neck banding, excess fat, and more. (2) You may also benefit from a neck lift if you are younger and are interested in a preventative measure or form of pre-rejuvenation.
To qualify for this procedure, you should possess good overall health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should also be nonsmoking or willing to quit nicotine. Our surgical team will confirm your candidacy during your personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
There is no singular solution to rejuvenation, which is why we ask that you attend a personal consultation before scheduling your neck lift. During this meeting, one of our board-certified plastic surgeons will explain what a neck lift entails, learn about your medical history, and ask about your concerns. They will also assess the existing condition and anatomy of your neck. Your surgeon will then use this information to create a one-of-a-kind treatment plan exclusively for you.
If you are ready to take the first step, we encourage you to submit our online contact form or call (859) 276-3883 to book your consultation.
Preparation
Once you have scheduled your procedure, your surgeon will provide you with a set of detailed pre-operative instructions. By following each one, you can prepare yourself for a smooth and successful procedure. These may include:
- Ceasing Certain Medications: Unless medically necessary, stop taking anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning medications and supplements.
- Preparing Your Transportation: Arrange a ride home after your procedure, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
- Asking for At-Home Help: Have a trusted friend or relative stay with you for the first 24 hours after your procedure to help you complete certain tasks.
- Avoiding Substance Use: Cease the consumption of nicotine or alcohol several weeks before and after your appointment, as these substances can increase the risk of several complications.
- Arrange Time Off: Prepare to take time away from work and social commitments to give yourself time to rest.
- Organizing Your Space: Arrange your home for your recovery by picking up any medications you may need and by setting out plenty of comfortable blankets and soft cushions.
Procedure
Our surgical team performs each neck lift at our surgical center on an outpatient basis or the patient may elect to stay the night at the hospital. When you arrive, a team member will guide you to a private surgical suite. Here, your surgeon and their team will meet with you to reconfirm your desired corrections. They will then cleanse your skin, and you will receive the appropriate anesthesia. Your surgeon will perform either a traditional neck lift or a limited incision neck lift. If necessary, they may also integrate liposuction techniques into your procedure to address stubborn fat.
Traditional Neck Lift
The traditional neck lift begins with an incision at the front of the ear, extending around toward the nape of your neck. If necessary, they will make another incision beneath your chin. Through these incisions, your surgeon will proceed to remove your excess fat and tighten any weakened neck muscles. They will then redrape your skin and remove any excess to achieve a smoother and more defined look. Your surgeon will then suture each incision and allow you to rest in our recovery suite.
Limited Incision Neck Lift
The limited incision neck lift features a short incision in front of the ears to access the underlying structures. (3) Your surgeon will then reposition and remove any excess fat, tighten the neck muscles, and lift and tighten the neck skin before removing the excess, creating a more slender sculpt. From there, your surgeon will suture each incision shut and let you rest.
Recovery
As you recover from your neck lift, you may experience some tightness and swelling. These effects will subside on their own, and you may manage any discomfort with approved pain management medications. As you rest, it is best to elevate your head to help reduce swelling. You will receive neck bandages that will help minimize swelling.
You may return to light activities and desk work after taking approximately two weeks to rest. However, you will need to avoid more physical activities for several more weeks, or until your surgeon approves. You will attend follow-up appointments, where your surgeon will remove any stitches and monitor each step of your recovery.
Results
You may notice immediate improvements after your procedure, but the full results will become more pronounced as residual swelling subsides. While patient results may vary, you can expect smoother, tighter-looking skin, a more slender and defined neck, and a sharper jawline. Many of our patients report feeling more confident after their procedure.
The results of a neck lift are long-lasting and can persist for several years if you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. Although no procedure can permanently stop the natural effects of aging, you will be able to enjoy a rejuvenated, toned neck for several years.
Cost of Neck Lifts in Lexington, Kentucky
Your surgeon will provide you with the cost of your neck lift during your personal consultation, once they discuss all details and establish your treatment plan. Because of the personalization involved, the pricing will vary between patients. Plastic Surgeons of Lexington also offers financing options to make treatment more accessible.
For further information about our pricing, please request a consultation online or call (859) 276-3883.
FAQ
What concerns can a neck lift treat?
Neck lifts effectively address lax and excess skin, muscle banding, weakened muscles, and stubborn fat below the chin, along the neck, and above the shoulders.
Is there an age requirement for a neck lift?
There is no age requirement for candidacy, but most patients who undergo this procedure are between 40 and 85 years of age. This is because changes to the cervical region, such as the development of wrinkles, folds, and laxity, start to appear around this time. However, if you are younger and experience these changes, you may be eligible.
What type of anesthesia will my surgeon use during my neck lift?
Your surgeon will use general anesthesia during your procedure, which means you will be unconscious as they perform it.
Will my neck lift leave significant scarring?
Each surgical procedure will leave some degree of scarring, but our surgeons take great care when placing each incision to keep them inconspicuous. As you heal, any scarring will continuously fade until it is barely perceptible.
How long will the results of my neck lift last?
When you pair your results with a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle, they can last for several years. However, you must remember that the natural aging process will continue to affect your appearance over time.
References
- Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Rhytidectomy. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564338/
- Paloma Pérez, Hohman MH. Neck Rejuvenation. Nih.gov. Published September 4, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562229/#article-102110.s4
- Somenek MT. Short Scar Male Neck Lift: A Minimally Invasive Option for Neck Contouring. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2025;42(02):193-197. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2695-3785