How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?

Combatting jowly or saggy skin and double chins is no easy feat, but a neck lift might be the solution you're looking for if what you seek is a more defined profile.

A neck lift can restore a more youthful appearance and have long-lasting results, but it's important to remember that no cosmetic procedure, including neck lifts, will change your essential facial structure or stop the aging process entirely.¹

Let's look at what a neck lift entails and how it can help in achieving the cosmetic outcomes you're after.

What Is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift refers to a set of surgical procedures commonly used to create a more defined jawline, smooth visible signs of aging or reduce fat deposits or sagging skin under the chin, sometimes referred to as "turkey neck."² The general medical term for a neck lift is a lower rhytidectomy or submental lipectomy.

Types of Neck Lifts

Depending on the results you seek, your surgeon may recommend a type of neck lift procedure called a cervicoplasty, which removes excess skin, or a platysmaplasty, which removes or alters neck muscles to achieve the desired look.²

An anterior neck lift allows your surgeon to reshape the tissues of the neck and jawline through an incision in your chin, while an extended neck lift, usually performed in conjunction with a facelift, involves more invasive incisions that allow for more extensive work on the deep tissues of the face and neck while also removing excess skin.²

How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?

The national average cost* for a neck lift in the U.S. is $6,149 but can range between $3,000 and $14,750.³

The total price may vary based on several factors. When you consult with your surgeon, make sure to ask for a summary of all costs to get an accurate estimate of the total expense for the entire procedure. Costs may include:¹

• Your surgeon's fee
• A facility fee
• Anesthesiologist fee
• Prescription medications
• Postsurgical aids to manage swelling and bruising
• Preoperative tests
• Level of difficulty
• Combining procedures
• Postoperative follow-up appointments

Additionally, surgeons located in larger metropolitan areas like Los Angeles or New York typically have higher fees to cover their costs. Some patients seek qualified surgeons located in less expensive locales and find that even with travel costs, the savings are worth the expense. Below are the average costs of a neck lift in each U.S. state or district.³

Average neck lift cost by state/district

Does Health Insurance Cover Neck Lifts?

Neck lifts are rarely deemed medically necessary and therefore unlikely to be covered by health insurance benefits¹ or eligible for health savings account (HSA) reimbursement. Talk to your health insurance provider to be clear on what — if anything — your policy may cover and if cosmetic surgery will affect your future coverage.

Good Candidates for a Neck Lift

You might consider a neck lift procedure if you have:¹

• Slack skin on the lower face or jawline, creating jowls
• Fat deposits under the chin or jawline
• Loose or saggy neck skin or "turkey neck"²
• Vertical muscle banding in the neck²

Several factors affect the appearance of the lower jaw and neck, including heredity, age, stress level and environment. Good candidates for a neck lift procedure are nonsmokers in generally good health who have realistic expectations of what a neck lift can and cannot do for their appearance.¹

How Does a Neck Lift Work?

Your surgeon will recommend the best form of anesthesia for your procedure, either general or intravenous sedation.¹

Depending on the type of neck lift you’re undergoing, your surgeon will make incisions behind each ear, and possibly a third incision underneath the chin. Fat in the jowls or neck may be redistributed or sculpted, neck muscles tightened and excess skin removed and smoothed.²

Incisions are closed with either sutures — that will dissolve or need to be removed in a few days — or skin glue.¹

Preparation for a Neck Lift

You’ll receive a detailed list of instructions from your surgeon in preparation for your surgery, in which you may be asked to:¹

• Undergo lab tests and provide a full medical history
• Stop smoking prior to surgery
• Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements that could increase bleeding
• Adjust or stop taking certain medications temporarily
• Hydrate before and after surgery to support recovery⁴

A neck lift is typically performed on an outpatient basis at a licensed surgical facility or hospital. Because the procedure involves anesthesia, it’s important to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your procedure and stay with you for at least one night post-surgery.¹

Potential Risks and Side Effects of a Neck Lift

Significant complications associated with neck lifts are infrequent, but it’s important to discuss all potential safety concerns and side effects with your surgeon during your consultation. Some possible side effects from neck lift surgery include:⁴

• An adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Infection and bleeding
• Unfavorable scarring
• Hematoma or seroma, an accumulation of blood or fluid that requires removal
• Persistent pain¹
• Deep venous thrombosis with pulmonary sequelae¹
• Temporary or permanent hair loss at the incision lines¹
• Prolonged swelling¹

Tips to Recover After a Neck Lift

Recovery from a neck lift depends on the individual as well as how extensive the surgery is. Many patients will return to daily activities within two weeks.²

You and your caregiver will receive detailed instructions on your postoperative care, including how to care for the surgical site and any tubes that have been put in place to drain excess blood or fluids.¹ You may be given a prescription for oral antibiotics to prevent infection.¹ In addition, your care team will review typical symptoms you might experience, as well as signs of possible complications.⁴

You may be instructed to wear a neck dressing for the first 24 hours after surgery to minimize swelling. Your neck may have bruising, which can last for several days, and feel tight and numb, which may continue for several weeks or months.⁴

You will have to keep your head elevated above your heart and avoid strenuous activities, including movements that involve twisting or bending the neck or that cause undue strain.¹

Be sure to keep your follow-up appointments and contact your provider immediately if you experience any signs of postsurgical complications.

Non-Surgical Neck Lift Options

Patients interested in improving the appearance of their neck without surgery can explore non-surgical options. The benefits of non-surgical cosmetic procedures include shorter recovery times, reduced risk of complications and typically lower costs as procedures are often performed in-office and without the need for general anesthesia. Multiple treatments are often required to achieve the desired outcome and results are usually temporary.²

Here are some non-surgical neck lift procedures:²

• BOTOX® injections soften the appearance of neck bands by relaxing the neck muscles that cause them.
• Dermal fillers can restore skin volume and plump sagging areas.
• Deoxycholic acid (KYBELLA®) is an injectable solution that destroys fat cells around the injection site and can be used on the chin, jawline and neck.
• Fractionated laser treatments improve skin texture with heat and light applied under the skin's surface.
• Ultrasound and radiofrequency with microneedling can be used to stimulate collagen production to improve fine lines and wrinkles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Lift Surgery

Financing a Neck Lift Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for neck lifts and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance, and real estate/investing.