Neck
Lift
Restore a sharp, defined jawline and a clean neck profile — removing excess skin, tightening the platysma muscle, and eliminating turkey neck with minimal, well-hidden scarring.
What Is a Neck Lift?
✓ Medically reviewed by Dr. Andre Y. Levesque, MD · Board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS) · Last reviewed December 1, 2025
A neck lift — medically called a platysmaplasty or cervicoplasty — directly addresses the signs of aging in the neck: excess skin, fat accumulation under the chin, banding of the platysma muscle, and loss of the defined jawline-to-neck angle. These changes are difficult or impossible to treat with non-surgical options alone.
Dr. Andre Y. Levesque performs the neck lift in Austin, TX, typically through small incisions placed behind the ears and, if needed, a small incision beneath the chin (submental). The platysma muscle is tightened (platysmaplasty), excess fat is removed or repositioned, and redundant skin is precisely excised and re-draped. The result is a dramatically cleaner, younger-looking neck profile.
Many patients undergo a neck lift alongside a deep plane facelift or face and neck lift for comprehensive rejuvenation. However, patients whose primary concern is the neck can often benefit from an isolated neck lift — sometimes even under local anesthesia only.
Results typically last 8–12 years. Most patients describe a dramatic improvement in how they look from the side and in photos — one of the most impactful yet underappreciated procedures in facial rejuvenation.
Precision, Artistry, and Minimal Scarring
The neck lift is deceptively technical. The platysma muscle must be tightened at the correct tension — too tight creates an unnatural contour; too little and the result fades quickly. Skin re-draping must be tension-free to avoid visible scars. Dr. Levesque's training in deep plane facial surgery informs even his isolated neck lift technique.
His wide-awake approach under local anesthesia is available to most neck lift candidates, avoiding the risks of general anesthesia and typically resulting in less bruising and a faster recovery.
What to Expect
From your first consultation to your final result, here's how the process works at Levesque Plastic Surgery.
Consultation
Dr. Levesque evaluates your neck anatomy, skin quality, and the extent of platysma banding to determine whether an isolated neck lift, combined face and neck lift, or non-surgical approach is right for you.
Surgery Day
The procedure takes 1.5–2.5 hours in our private Austin surgical suite, typically under local anesthesia. You return home the same day with a light compression garment and care instructions.
Recovery & Results
Most patients are comfortable at home for 7–10 days. Swelling and bruising peak by day 3–5 and resolve significantly within 2 weeks. Final contour settles at 3–4 months.
Neck Lift Before & After
All photos are of Dr. Levesque's own patients, presented with permission. Hover each card to see the after.
Am I a Candidate?
Here's a general guide — Dr. Levesque will assess your candidacy personally at consultation.
Good Candidates Typically Have:
- Excess skin or fat under the chin and along the neck
- Platysmal banding ("turkey neck" or vertical cords)
- Loss of the jawline-to-neck angle (obtuse cervicomental angle)
- Good overall health with stable weight for 6+ months
- Non-smoker or willing to quit ≥4 weeks before surgery
- Realistic expectations for outcome and recovery
Factors That May Affect Candidacy:
- Active smoking — significantly increases complication risk
- Significant jowling or facial sagging (may need full facelift)
- Uncontrolled hypertension or bleeding disorders
- Recent significant weight change or planned major weight loss
What Does a Neck Lift Cost?
The cost of a neck lift at Levesque Plastic Surgery depends on the technique required (isolated neck lift vs. combined with facelift or liposuction), anesthesia type, and surgical time.
Dr. Levesque provides a complete, transparent quote at your consultation — there are no hidden fees. The quote covers surgeon, facility, and anesthesia.
Financing through CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, Cherry, and PatientFi is available to qualified patients. Many patients are surprised to find that a neck lift is more accessible than expected.
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What Patients Say
Dr. Andre Y. Levesque, MD
Dr. Levesque's approach to the neck lift reflects the same philosophy he applies to all facial surgery: work at the structural level, not just the surface. Tightening the platysma muscle and re-draping skin without tension produces results that look clean and natural — not pulled.
His wide-awake technique — performed under local anesthesia in his Austin surgical suite — makes the neck lift more accessible to patients who wish to avoid general anesthesia, with equally excellent results and a typically faster, more comfortable recovery.
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