Neck Lift in Delafield
A smoother neck contour and a more defined jawline
A neck lift, also known as a lower rhytidectomy or platysmaplasty, is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the neck by removing excess skin, tightening the platysma muscle, and addressing fat deposits beneath the chin and along the jawline. The procedure can restore a more defined jawline and smoother neck contour, and is often performed alongside a facelift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
At a Glance
- Approximately 22,592 neck lift procedures were performed in the United States in 2024 according to ASPS procedural statistics[3]
- A neck lift can address excess skin, fat deposits, and platysmal muscle banding in the neck and jawline area[1]
- The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis and initial recovery generally takes approximately two weeks[5]
- Results from a neck lift are generally long-lasting and may persist for 7 to 10 years or more with proper care[6]
Overview
A neck lift addresses visible aging in the lower face and neck, including loose or sagging skin, fat beneath the chin, and prominent platysmal bands. These vertical cords develop as the platysma muscle weakens with age. The operation creates a more defined jawline and a smoother, more youthful neck profile.
The technique depends on the patient’s anatomy and goals. Platysmaplasty tightens the platysma by suturing its separated edges together at the midline. Cervicoplasty removes excess neck skin. Liposuction may be added to remove fat beneath the chin and along the neck.
A neck lift may be performed on its own or combined with a facelift, also called a rhytidectomy, chin augmentation, or liposuction for a more comprehensive result. Dr. Boehm performs chin augmentation, submental liposuction, and the deep plane facelift he names as his signature operation. The procedure is generally outpatient and may be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
A standalone neck lift and a combined deep plane face and neck lift are quoted as separate operations. In the combined operation, the neck is treated as the lower half of a plan developed with the face from the outset. It is a different plan and a different conversation, not the same procedure with more of it.
Results generally last 7 to 10 years or more, although aging continues after surgery. Maintaining a stable weight, protecting the skin from sun damage, and following a healthy lifestyle can help prolong the result.
What to expect
- A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon to discuss your goals, evaluate neck anatomy, review your medical history, and develop a personalized surgical plan.
- Pre-operative preparation including discontinuing blood-thinning medications, stopping smoking at least two to four weeks before surgery, and arranging your post-operative transportation and care.
- Administration of anesthesia, typically general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, depending on the extent of the procedure and the surgeon's approach.
- Incisions are made in front of and behind the ear, often extending into the hairline, with a possible additional incision beneath the chin for submental access.
- Liposuction or direct excision of excess fat in the submental area and along the neck to reduce fullness and improve contour.
- Tightening of the platysma muscle through midline plication or lateral suspension to correct banding and restore a defined neck angle.
- Trimming and redraping of excess skin over the tightened structures, followed by closure of incisions with sutures.
- Application of a compression dressing or chin strap to minimize swelling and support healing tissues.
- Discharge with post-operative instructions including wound care, activity restrictions, medication guidance, and scheduled follow-up appointments.
- Follow-up visits for suture removal, typically within 5 to 10 days, and monitoring of healing progress over several weeks.
How a neck lift works
- The surgeon typically makes incisions beginning in front of the ear, passing around the earlobe, and continuing behind the ear into the hairline. A small incision beneath the chin may also be made for direct access to the platysma muscle and submental fat.
- Excess fat is removed or repositioned through direct excision or liposuction. This work is concentrated particularly in the submental area beneath the chin to improve the neck contour.
- The separated medial edges of the platysma are sutured together at the midline. This medial platysmaplasty corrects visible banding and creates a smoother, firmer neck profile.
- Excess skin is trimmed and redraped over the tightened underlying structures. The remaining skin is secured with sutures to create a smoother, more youthful contour.
- The incisions are closed with sutures, then a compression dressing or bandage is applied to minimize swelling and support the new contours during initial healing.
- These steps describe the standalone neck lift, which Dr. Boehm plans and quotes as its own operation. The same neck work is also carried out as the lower half of his deep plane face and neck lift. In that operation, the face and neck are planned together from the outset rather than treated in sequence.
When it's recommended
- Excess or sagging skin on the neck creating a "turkey neck" appearance
- Visible platysmal bands (vertical muscle cords) on the front of the neck
- Excess fat deposits beneath the chin (submental fullness or double chin)
- Loss of jawline definition due to jowling or skin laxity
- Skin laxity of the neck due to aging, weight loss, or genetic predisposition
- Dissatisfaction with neck appearance despite non-surgical treatments
Is a neck lift right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Concerns it addresses
Recovery & aftercare
- A compression dressing or chin strap is typically worn for the first several days to one week to reduce swelling
- Sutures are generally removed within 5 to 10 days after surgery
- Bruising and swelling are common and typically resolve within 2 to 3 weeks
- Most patients can return to work and light daily activities within 10 to 14 days
- Strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for 3 to 4 weeks
- Numbness or tightness in the neck area may persist for several weeks to months and typically resolves gradually
- Final results become visible as swelling fully subsides, which may take up to 3 months
- Scars continue to mature and fade over 6 to 12 months
Alternatives
- Non-surgical skin tightening treatments such as radiofrequency or ultrasound therapy
- Injectable treatments such as Kybella (deoxycholic acid) for submental fat reduction
- Thread lift procedures for mild skin laxity
- Liposuction alone for people with good skin elasticity and isolated fat deposits
- Botox injections into the platysma for mild banding (Nefertiti lift)
Related treatments
How much does a neck lift cost?
A neck lift at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $15,000. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A neck lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, tightens the underlying platysma muscle, and reduces fat deposits in the neck. Also called a lower rhytidectomy or platysmaplasty, it can address sagging skin, visible muscle bands, and fullness beneath the chin.
- The procedure is performed under anesthesia, so there is typically no pain during surgery. Mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, and swelling are common afterward and can generally be managed with prescribed medication. Most patients describe recovery as more uncomfortable than painful, with symptoms improving significantly during the first two weeks.
- A neck lift is generally considered safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon with experience in the procedure. As with any surgery, it has potential risks. Those are listed separately in the Risks section on this page.
- Most patients return to work and light daily activities within 10 to 14 days. Bruising and swelling typically resolve within 2 to 3 weeks, and strenuous activity is avoided for 3 to 4 weeks. Full results become apparent as swelling subsides over approximately 3 months. Scars continue to fade over 6 to 12 months.
- Results generally last 7 to 10 years or more, although aging continues after surgery. Maintaining a stable weight, protecting the skin from sun damage, and not smoking can help prolong the result. A revision procedure may be considered later if desired.
- Good candidates are generally adults bothered by excess neck skin, fat deposits, or platysmal muscle banding. They are in good overall health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations about the outcome. A consultation with a qualified surgeon can determine whether the procedure fits a person’s anatomy and goals.
- People who currently smoke or use nicotine products may not be good candidates because tobacco use significantly impairs wound healing and increases the risk of complications. Surgery may also need to be deferred for uncontrolled medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, active infections, or bleeding disorders. A thorough medical evaluation is part of the consultation process.
- Both are available and quoted as separate operations. The decision turns on where the laxity sits. When the change is confined to beneath the chin and along the jawline, a neck lift addresses it. When the cheek and midface have descended too, treating the neck alone tends to leave a visible seam between a corrected lower face and an uncorrected upper face. That is assessed in person, on your face, rather than from a photograph. A heavy or descended brow is a separate question again, addressed with a brow lift rather than with either lift below it. Where the concern is hollowing in the cheeks or temples rather than loose skin, facial fat grafting restores volume that no lift replaces.
- Yes. Dr. Boehm performs both procedures. A weak chin can make the neck appear fuller than it is, so adding projection can affect the jawline as much as tightening. Submental liposuction addresses fullness caused by fat rather than loose skin. The applicable combination is determined on examination because these are separate problems in neighboring areas.
- The $15,000 figure on this page is a ballpark cost for a standalone neck lift. A combined deep plane face and neck lift is quoted as its own larger operation. Adding chin augmentation or submental liposuction also changes the cost because each is a separate procedure rather than an inclusion.
Neck Lift risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active infection at the planned surgical site
- Uncontrolled bleeding disorders or coagulopathy
- Current tobacco or nicotine use (significantly impairs wound healing and increases risk of skin flap necrosis)
- Unrealistic expectations about surgical outcomes
- Significant medical conditions that increase surgical risk, such as uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes
- Recent use of blood-thinning medications without appropriate discontinuation
Possible risks
- Hematoma (collection of blood beneath the skin), the most common surgical complication
- Infection at the incision sites
- Temporary or, rarely, permanent nerve injury affecting sensation or motor function
- Skin irregularities, dimpling, or asymmetry
- Scarring, which varies by individual healing response and incision placement
- Skin flap necrosis, particularly in patients who smoke
- Seroma (collection of fluid beneath the skin)
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Hair loss at or near the incision sites
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result requiring revision surgery
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 7 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12