What is a neck lift?
A neck lift, also known as a lower rhytidectomy, is an operation that improves the shape of the neck and jawline. With age, weight change and sun exposure, the skin of the neck loses its elasticity, fat collects under the chin and the thin neck muscle, the platysma, can separate into visible vertical bands. Together these create the loose fold often called a turkey neck.
A neck lift deals with each of these layers. Depending on what you need, it can combine three elements:
- Cervicoplasty: removing and tightening excess skin
- Platysmaplasty: tightening or reshaping the neck muscle to smooth bands
- Liposuction or fat removal: reducing fullness under the chin and along the jaw
A neck lift is often performed alongside a facelift, but it can also be done on its own if the face itself has aged well.
Who is a neck lift suitable for?
You may be a good candidate if you are bothered by:
- Loose or hanging skin under the chin and on the neck
- A double chin that has not responded to diet and exercise
- Vertical cords or bands running down the front of the neck
- A blurred jawline or early jowls
You should be in good general health, fit for anaesthesia and free of conditions that slow wound healing, such as poorly controlled diabetes. Smokers are asked to stop well before surgery because smoking reduces blood flow to the skin. Realistic expectations matter too: a neck lift refreshes the neck but cannot stop the natural ageing process.
Younger patients with good skin tone and only fat under the chin may need liposuction alone rather than a full neck lift. Your surgeon will tell you which option fits.
Types of neck lift
The main difference between techniques is where the incisions are placed and how much skin is removed.
Incisions behind the ears
Similar to a facelift approach, cuts are made behind the ears, sometimes extending in front of them. This allows the surgeon to lift and remove a larger amount of loose skin and is suited to moderate or marked laxity.
Small incision under the chin
A short cut in the natural crease under the chin gives access to the platysma muscle and fat. The skin is freed from the muscle so it can settle and contract without being cut away. This suits patients with good skin elasticity.
Direct excision under the chin
For some older patients with a large amount of hanging skin, the excess is removed directly from under the chin, often using a zig-zag line to soften the scar. No cuts are needed around the ears, which keeps the operation simpler.
How the operation is done
A neck lift usually takes 2 to 3 hours, and longer when combined with a facelift.
Tests and planning
You arrive at the hospital the day before or on the morning of surgery for blood tests and an ECG. The surgeon examines your neck, takes measurements and photographs, and agrees the plan with you.
Anaesthesia
Most neck lifts are done under general anaesthesia. Smaller procedures may be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation.
Fat removal and muscle tightening
Through the chosen incisions, the surgeon removes excess fat and stitches the edges of the platysma muscle together to create a firmer, smoother neck.
Skin redraping and closure
The skin is lifted back into place, the excess is trimmed and the incisions are closed with fine stitches. A small drain may be left for a day, and a supportive dressing is applied.
Recovery timeline
- First 48 hours
You will feel tightness, swelling and some discomfort. Keep your head raised, including when you sleep, and take the prescribed medication. Drains, if used, are usually removed before you leave hospital.
- Week 1
Bruising and swelling peak and then start to settle. You wear a compression garment around the chin and neck, and stitches are removed after about 5 to 7 days.
- Weeks 2–4
Most people feel comfortable enough to return to desk work and social life. Some numbness and firmness under the skin is normal and gradually improves.
- Months 2–6
Residual swelling fades and the new contour becomes clearer. Scars soften and lighten over the following months.
Aftercare
- Wear the compression garment as instructed, usually for 1 to 2 weeks
- Keep your head straight and avoid bending or twisting the neck sharply
- Sleep on your back with your head raised for the first couple of weeks
- Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and similar medicines unless your surgeon approves them
- Avoid smoking and alcohol while you heal
- Protect the scars from the sun with high-factor sunscreen
Risks and side effects
All surgery carries risks, and your surgeon will go through them with you before you consent. With a neck lift they include:
- Haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin)
- Infection
- Thick or noticeable scarring
- Temporary or, rarely, lasting injury to a nerve, which can affect sensation or the movement of the lower lip
- Poor healing or loss of a small area of skin, more likely in smokers
- Blood clots
- Reactions to anaesthesia
- Irregular contour or a result you are not satisfied with, which may need a revision
Results
You will see a difference straight away, but swelling hides the final shape at first. Most of the improvement shows by around three months, with the result settling fully by about six months. You can expect a sharper angle between the chin and neck, a better defined jawline and smoother skin. The effect is long-lasting, although your skin continues to age naturally.
Neck lift in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
You send us photographs of your neck from the front and side, plus your medical history. The surgeon reviews them, and we send you a treatment plan and quote. Stop smoking and blood-thinning medicines as advised and book your flights once your date is confirmed.
In Istanbul
A driver collects you from the airport. A translator stays with you for tests, consultation and discharge, and a companion can stay with you at no extra cost. You stay in hospital for 4 nights and have a follow-up check before you leave.
Back home
Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp, checks on your swelling and scars, and passes any questions to the surgical team.
What the Neck Lift package includes
- VIP transfers from and to Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Fully equipped room in the hospital
- Translation services at the hospital and during follow-up
- Pre-operative testing
- Consultation with your doctors
- Post-operative care and follow-ups for a year
- General anaesthesia
- Special compression garments
- One companion included in the price
- Three meals a day for you and your companion
- Full hospital stay for 4 nights, 5 days
- Aftercare package with a full set of medications to take home
Neck Lift FAQ
Can I have a neck lift without a facelift?
Yes. If the jowls and mid-face are in good shape and your concerns are mainly below the jawline, a neck lift alone may be enough. If the cheeks and jowls have also dropped, your surgeon may suggest combining the two for a balanced result.
Will the scars be visible?
The incisions are placed in hidden areas, usually a short cut under the chin and, when needed, behind the ears along the hairline. They are red at first and usually fade to fine pale lines over 6 to 12 months.
How long do neck lift results last?
The tightening is long-lasting, and many patients still see a clear difference ten years or more later. Your skin keeps ageing naturally, so a stable weight, sun protection and not smoking help the result last longer.
Is a neck lift painful?
Most people describe tightness and soreness rather than sharp pain. It is usually well controlled with the prescribed painkillers and eases noticeably after the first few days.
How long should I stay in Istanbul?
Plan for 5 days in Istanbul. Your package includes a full hospital stay of 4 nights, so you recover in a private room with nurses on hand day and night. The surgeon checks your wounds and removes any stitches or drains before you fly.
When can I go back to work?
Many patients return to desk work after 10 to 14 days, once the most visible bruising has faded. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should wait for about 4 to 6 weeks.
Am I too old for a neck lift?
There is no strict upper age limit. What matters more is your general health, how well you can heal and whether you are fit for anaesthesia. The medical team assesses this from your history and tests.
What if I am not happy with the result?
Swelling can hide the final shape for several months, so surgeons usually wait before judging the outcome. If a correction is still needed after full healing, a revision may be possible after a review with your surgeon.
