What is it and how is it done?
Ageing of the neck is usually the result of three separate problems coming together: skin that has lost its elasticity and sags, fat that collects under the chin (a double chin), and the edges of the platysma muscle, which show as vertical bands on the front of the neck. These changes blur the jawline, soften the angle between the chin and the neck, and can make a person look more tired or heavier than they are. A neck lift aims to correct these structures, with the plan focused on whichever problem is most prominent.
In people whose skin is still elastic and whose main concern is fat under the chin, usually younger people, liposuction alone may be enough; the fat is removed with fine cannulas through incisions a few millimetres long under the chin and behind the ears. If sagging skin and muscle bands are marked, a neck lift is needed. In this operation, the edges of the platysma muscle are stitched together in the midline through a short incision in the natural crease under the chin, creating a kind of internal corset (platysmaplasty), and excess skin is removed through an incision behind the ear before the skin is redraped. If the cheeks and jawline also sag, a neck lift is usually combined with a facelift; correcting the neck alone can leave it out of harmony with the lower face. In people with a receding chin, chin surgery can give the profile additional support.
After surgery, an elastic garment that wraps around the chin and neck is worn. It helps reduce swelling and lets the skin settle into its new position; it is usually recommended all day for the first 1–2 weeks and then only at night for a while. The exact period is decided at a check-up, depending on the procedure performed.
Fullness in the neck is not always caused by fat under the skin; fat beneath the muscle, the salivary glands or the thyroid gland can produce a similar appearance. At the practice in Nişantaşı, Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı assesses the elasticity of the neck skin, how the fat is distributed, the muscle bands and the structure of the chin, and requests further tests if needed. 3D facial imaging helps in discussing the possible change to the profile. At the consultation, you are told in detail which method is recommended and why, where the scars will be and how recovery will progress; non-surgical options are also considered.
What are the aims?
- To make the jawline clearer and more defined.
- To make the angle between the chin and the neck more defined.
- To reduce fat under the chin (a double chin).
- To make the vertical muscle bands on the neck less visible.
- To tighten loose, sagging neck skin.
Who is it suitable for?
- People whose neck skin has become loose and saggy
- People with prominent vertical muscle bands on the front of the neck
- People with fat under the chin (a double chin) that has not reduced with diet and exercise
- People left with excess neck skin after weight loss
- People in good general health with a stable weight who do not smoke or are able to stop
- People with realistic expectations who want the change to their neck for themselves
When is it postponed or not recommended?
- Cases where fullness in the neck is due to a medical cause such as the thyroid gland; this needs to be assessed first
- People with uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes or a bleeding disorder
- People planning significant weight loss in the near future
- People who cannot stop smoking
- People with very mild concerns that could be improved enough with non-surgical methods
Alternatives
- Liposuction alone
- In people with elastic skin whose problem is mainly fat under the chin, a smaller procedure can define the jawline, but it does not correct sagging skin or muscle bands.
- Botulinum toxin
- Can soften the muscle bands in the neck for a few months; it has no effect on sagging skin or fat.
- Fat-dissolving injections
- May be an option for some people with a small, localised double chin; several sessions may be needed, and they do not tighten loose skin.
- Chin surgery
- In people with a receding chin and good neck skin, bringing the chin forward can improve the profile and the neck angle on its own.
The process step by step
- 1
First contact
You can send photos of your neck taken from the front and side with your head upright, and a short description of your concerns, by WhatsApp or e-mail, or call the practice. This information gives you a general idea of the options and helps plan the examination; the medical assessment and the decision take place at the examination in Nişantaşı.
- 2
Consultation and planning
Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı assesses skin elasticity, fat distribution, the muscle bands and the structure of the chin; whether liposuction, a neck lift or an operation combined with a facelift is appropriate is discussed together.
- 3
Preparing for surgery
Blood tests and an anaesthetic assessment are carried out. Smoking is stopped at least 4 weeks beforehand; blood thinners and herbal supplements are adjusted with your doctor's approval, and blood pressure is brought under control.
- 4
Day of surgery
The operation is performed in an accredited partner hospital. Liposuction alone usually takes around 1 hour and a neck lift 2–3 hours; most patients go home the same day or the next day.
- 5
Garment and first check-ups
The elastic chin and neck garment is worn for the recommended period. The stitches are usually removed on days 5–7.
- 6
Long-term follow-up
Check-ups usually take place at 3 and 6 months; the settling of the jawline and the maturing of the scars are monitored during this time.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
There may be swelling and tightness in the neck and mild discomfort when swallowing. The garment is worn continuously, the head is kept raised and the neck is not bent too much. If swelling in the neck increases rapidly or breathing becomes difficult, call the practice straight away.
Week 1
The stitches are removed. Bruising may spread down to the neck and upper chest and gradually fades.
Week 2
Most people return to desk work and social life. From this point the garment is often worn only at night.
Weeks 4–6
Sport and strenuous physical activity are resumed gradually. Firmness under the skin and reduced sensation are normal at this stage.
Month 3
Most of the swelling has gone and the jawline looks clearer. Firm areas under the skin soften.
Months 6–12
The scars mature and fade, and the final appearance emerges.
Risks and possible complications
Every surgical procedure carries risks. Your personal risk is assessed in detail at the consultation.
- Haematoma (a collection of blood under the skin); rapidly increasing swelling of the neck, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, needs urgent assessment.
- Seroma (a collection of fluid under the skin); it sometimes needs to be drained with a needle.
- Rippling, dimpling or irregularity of the skin after liposuction.
- Injury to the nerve branch that moves the lower lip; there may be temporary asymmetry when smiling, which usually recovers within months.
- Reduced sensation in the neck and around the ears; this usually improves over time.
- Thickened or noticeable scars; the scar behind the ear may be visible with short hair.
- Partial return of the muscle bands or loose skin over time.
- Infection, asymmetry between the two sides and risks related to anaesthesia.
What determines the cost?
The fee for neck lift surgery varies considerably depending on whether liposuction alone, a neck lift with repair of the platysma muscle, or an operation combined with a facelift is planned. The length of the operation, the type of anaesthesia, the length of the hospital stay and the post-operative garment are also among the items that affect the fee.
Because the source of the problem in the neck only becomes clear at the examination, the fee is also set after the examination. Following the assessment by Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı, you receive a written, itemised quote for the planned procedures that states what is included; it is a good idea to ask about the details of the quote before surgery.
If you are coming to Istanbul
The practice is authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health for international health tourism (certificate no. ST-2365); help with accommodation near the clinic and airport transfer can be arranged through authorised partners. If you are travelling from abroad or from another city, plan to stay in Istanbul for 3–5 days for liposuction alone or about 7 days for a neck lift; the first check-up and the removal of stitches take place during this time, and the stay is reassessed at the consultation if a facelift is added. Back home, you stay in touch with the practice by sending photos and messages; if something needs to be examined, a check-up in Istanbul or a visit to a local doctor is arranged. Return visits are usually advised at 3 and 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
Is a neck lift painful?
A neck lift is performed under anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during the procedure. Afterwards there may be tightness in the neck, mild discomfort when swallowing and a feeling of pressure from the garment; these are usually controlled with painkillers. Rapidly increasing swelling of the neck, shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing can be signs of bleeding, so call the practice without delay.
When can I go back to work after a neck lift?
After a neck lift, most people can return to desk work and social life within 1–2 weeks; after liposuction alone this is usually shorter. Bruising fades noticeably over the first two weeks, while heavy physical work and sport usually wait 4–6 weeks. The time varies depending on whether accompanying procedures, such as a facelift, are performed.
How long is the compression garment worn after a neck lift?
The elastic chin and neck garment worn after a neck lift or liposuction for a double chin helps reduce swelling and lets the skin settle into its new position. It is usually recommended all day for the first 1–2 weeks and then only at night for a few more weeks. The exact period is decided at a check-up, according to the procedure and how healing progresses; if the garment is too tight or causes a sore on the skin, let the practice know.
Does a neck lift leave scars?
A neck lift uses a short incision in the natural crease under the chin and an incision running from behind the ear towards the hairline; for liposuction alone, incisions a few millimetres long may be enough. The scars look pink in the first months and usually fade and become finer within a year. They do not disappear completely, but because they lie under the chin and behind the ear, they often go unnoticed.
Is liposuction enough for a double chin, or do I need a neck lift?
Which method suits a double chin depends not on age but on skin elasticity and the state of the muscle bands. In people with elastic skin whose only problem is fat under the chin, usually younger people, liposuction may be enough. If there is sagging skin or there are prominent muscle bands, removing fat alone can make the neck look looser; in that case a neck lift is needed. The decision is made at the examination.
When is the result of a neck lift visible, and how long does it last?
The change to the jawline after a neck lift can be seen in the first weeks; most of the swelling has gone after about 3 months, and the final appearance settles in 6–12 months. Fat cells that have been removed do not come back, but the remaining fat cells can enlarge if you gain weight. Because the skin and tissues continue to age, some loosening over the years is natural; a stable weight and sun protection help the result last.
Can a neck lift and a facelift be done together?
Yes. If the cheeks and jawline also sag, a neck lift is often performed in the same operation as a facelift, which makes it easier to aim for a result in which the lower face and neck match. Chin surgery can be added for people with a receding chin, and eyelid surgery if the eye area looks tired. Whether a combined operation is suitable is decided at the examination.
What does the cost of a neck lift depend on?
The cost of a neck lift depends on whether liposuction alone, a neck lift with muscle repair or an operation combined with a facelift is planned, and on the length of the operation, the type of anaesthesia and the length of the hospital stay. An accurate fee cannot be set without an examination. After the examination with Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı, you receive a written quote that lists each planned procedure separately.
Should I stop smoking and certain medicines before a neck lift?
Cigarettes and nicotine products impair the circulation of the skin and increase wound-healing problems after a neck lift, so you are asked to stop at least 4 weeks before surgery and not to use them during recovery. Blood thinners such as aspirin, some painkillers and herbal supplements can increase the risk of bleeding; which ones to stop, and when, is discussed at the consultation. Prescription medicines should not be stopped without consulting your doctor.
How many days should I stay in Istanbul if I travel for a neck lift?
Patients travelling to Istanbul for a neck lift are advised to plan a stay of about 7 days; for liposuction of a double chin alone, 3–5 days is often enough. During this time the first check-up takes place, the garment is checked and the stitches are removed. Later check-ups usually take place at 3 and 6 months. If the operation is combined with a facelift, the length of stay is reassessed at the consultation.
Last updated: · Responsible for content: Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı · info@ilkeryazici.com