A neck lift tightens loose neck skin, repairs the platysma muscle bands and refines fat under the chin. It suits adults whose main concern is below the jawline. Plan 7–10 days in Istanbul; most people return to desk work in about two weeks.
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A neck lift (lower rhytidectomy) improves the contour of the neck and jawline. Depending on your needs, it removes loose skin, tightens the platysma muscle and reduces fat beneath the chin. Three layers change with age, so a good neck lift first identifies which ones are responsible.
| Procedure time | Typically 2–4 hours, depending on technique |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | Usually general anaesthesia; sedation may be possible for limited procedures |
| Hospital stay | Usually 1 night; limited procedures may be same-day |
| Recommended stay in Istanbul | 7–10 days (10–14 days if combined with a facelift) |
| Walking | Same or next day |
| Back to desk work | Around 10–14 days |
| Exercise | Light walks from week 1; strenuous exercise after 4–6 weeks |
| Compression garment | Chin strap usually worn for 1–3 weeks |
| Stitches | Removed around day 5–10 |
| Final result | Settles over 3–6 months; neck definition refines up to 12 months |
| Results last | Many years; natural ageing continues |
Results from Vivid Clinic patients, shared with consent. Individual results vary. 6 cases shown; each caption states what the photos show and what is not recorded.
Before: Loose neck skin and jowl. After: Defined neck-jaw angle.
Combined procedures: deep plane face and neck lift, platysmaplasty, upper blepharoplasty. The visible change reflects all of them, not one procedure alone.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Before: Loose neck skin. After: Tighter neck contour.
Combined procedures: deep plane face and neck lift, platysmaplasty, upper blepharoplasty. The visible change reflects all of them, not one procedure alone.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Before: Full submental area (double chin). After: Defined jawline.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Before: Loose neck skin. After: Tighter neck.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Before: Loose neck skin (older male). After: Smoother neck.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Before: Vertical neck bands and loose skin. After: Smoother neck.
Vivid Clinic patient, shared with consent. Individual results vary; this is one case, not a promise of your outcome.
Photos are unedited clinic composites; before and after photos may differ in lighting, clothing and pose. Consent is on file at the clinic.
If the fullness comes mainly from a small chin or a low hyoid position, a chin implant or another plan may help more.
Your surgeon examines your neck with your head in different positions. You then get one recommended approach, or a combination.
Through a small incision under the chin, the separated inner edges of the platysma are stitched together. This smooths vertical bands and sharpens the neck angle.
Incisions around and behind the ear allow the platysma to be lifted from the side and excess skin to be removed.
When fullness sits beneath the muscle, specialised steps may be considered. They are chosen only when examination shows a clear need.
Our platysmaplasty guide walks through a real case, and you can read more about the deep plane neck lift in Istanbul. For fat alone with good skin, liposuction may be enough. If jowls are present too, a neck lift is usually combined with a deep plane facelift.
Most neck lifts are done under general anaesthesia at an accredited partner hospital in Istanbul. Each step is planned around the layers your neck needs.
Bands, fat and incision lines marked with you sitting upright.
Usually general anaesthesia at an accredited partner hospital.
A short incision in the natural crease under the chin.
Fat reduced conservatively; deep neck steps only if planned.
The platysma edges are stitched together (platysmaplasty).
Skin redraped via ear incisions if needed; chin strap applied.
Day 1
A VIP airport transfer takes you to your hotel, with a welcome call from your patient coordinator. An interpreter is available.
Day 2
A face-to-face consultation, blood tests, ECG and anaesthetic review, then surgery. You stay one night in hospital with your head elevated.
Days 3–6
A dressing change, drain removal if used and a fitted chin strap before transfer to your hotel. Then short walks and a clinic check-up.
Days 6–10
Stitches under the chin and around the ears are usually removed around days 6–8. Your surgeon confirms healing before you fly.
Photos from the front, both sides and with your chin slightly lowered let a plastic surgeon assess skin, bands and fat. You hear whether a neck lift, platysmaplasty or a combination suits you. Free, no obligation.
Most patients see a cleaner jawline, a sharper jaw-to-neck angle and fewer visible bands. Remaining swelling and firmness take several months to settle.
Results are long-lasting, but skin and muscle continue to age, so a neck lift cannot stop future change. Stable weight, sun protection and not smoking help results last.
Your Vivid Clinic team stays reachable through a 24/7 post-operative support line, with follow-up by video call once you are home.
In short: liposuction removes fat only. A neck lift also treats loose skin and muscle bands, which liposuction alone can leave looking looser.
| Neck lift | Neck liposuction | |
|---|---|---|
| What it treats | Loose skin, platysmal bands and fat under the chin | Fat above the muscle only |
| Tightens loose skin? | Yes, when skin is lifted and trimmed | No |
| Treats muscle bands? | Yes, with platysmaplasty | No |
| Often suits | Adults with laxity, bands or deeper fullness | Younger patients with good skin elasticity |
| Incisions | Under the chin, and around the ears if needed | Tiny incisions |
For jowls, cheek descent and deep folds, see our deep plane facelift in Turkey page. For fat causes and non-surgical options, read our double chin guide. All options are on our face aesthetics page.
Your quote is prepared only after a surgeon has reviewed your photos, because the right plan depends on your anatomy. The consultation is free.
Typically covers:
Your price depends on
This page was medically reviewed by a plastic surgeon on the Vivid Clinic team.
Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon
A neck lift is a real operation with real risks. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists similar complications.
International patient safety information is also available from ISAPS. Travelling from the UK? Read the NHS guidance on cosmetic surgery abroad.
Plan seven to ten days for a neck lift alone. Surgery is usually on day two after your consultation and tests, followed by one night in hospital. Stitches under the chin and around the ears are typically removed around days six to eight. Your surgeon confirms you are fit to fly after a final check. If the neck lift is combined with a facelift, plan ten to fourteen days.
Vertical neck bands come from the platysma muscle, so they are usually treated with platysmaplasty. This is often part of a neck lift rather than a separate operation. If you only have bands and good skin, platysmaplasty alone may be enough. If you also have loose skin, a lateral neck lift is added. Your surgeon will decide after examining your neck in different positions.
If the fullness is fat above the muscle and your skin still snaps back, liposuction may be enough. If you have loose skin, visible bands or fullness beneath the muscle, liposuction alone can leave the neck looking looser. A neck lift is then usually more suitable. Pinching the skin and photos taken with your chin lowered help your surgeon tell the difference.
Your surgeon examines skin quality, bands and fat, and checks whether the fullness sits above or below the platysma. If it is deeper, options such as reducing subplatysmal fat, contouring the digastric muscles or, rarely, partial submandibular gland reduction may be discussed. Their specific risks are explained too. Chin projection is also assessed, as a small chin can make the neck look fuller.
Often, yes. A neck lift tightens the area below the jawline but has limited effect on jowls and cheek descent. If your jowls are clearly visible, combining the neck lift with a facelift usually gives a more balanced result. The jawline is then lifted from above and below. If jowling is mild, a neck lift alone may be enough; your surgeon will show you the difference.
Most people return to desk work and social plans around 10–14 days after surgery, often wearing a scarf or collar while bruising fades. The chin strap is usually worn for 1–3 weeks, as instructed. Light walks are fine from the first week, but avoid bending your neck forward or lifting early on. Strenuous exercise usually resumes after 4–6 weeks, with your surgeon's approval.
Send photos of your neck and jawline from the front, both sides and with your chin slightly lowered, via WhatsApp or our online form. A Vivid Clinic plastic surgeon reviews your skin, bands and fat, and explains whether a neck lift, platysmaplasty or a combination suits you. Your coordinator then prepares a personalised plan for your stay in Istanbul. The consultation is free, with no obligation.
Send photos of your neck and jawline from the front, both sides and with your chin slightly lowered. It is free and there is no obligation.
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