Neck Lift Introduction
The neck is one of the most telling areas when it comes to aging, often showing signs of skin laxity, muscle banding, and fat accumulation even before the face. A well-defined neck and jawline can dramatically improve your overall appearance and restore a more youthful contour. At Maryland Plastic Surgery, our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Adam Summers and Dr. Christopher Spittler, offer expertly performed neck lift procedures that rejuvenate the neck area while preserving a natural look. Whether you’re bothered by sagging skin, deep creases, or a lack of definition, our team will help you achieve a smoother, firmer, and more elegant neckline.
A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to restore a youthful contour to the neck by tightening loose skin, removing excess fat, and addressing muscle banding. Over time, the skin and muscles of the neck begin to weaken, resulting in drooping, wrinkling, and a loss of definition along the jawline.
This procedure focuses on the area beneath the chin, jawline, and upper portion of the neck. It can be performed as a standalone treatment or in combination with a facelift, liposuction, or other rejuvenation procedures to enhance the harmony of your overall appearance. The result is a natural, refreshed look—not an overdone or overly pulled appearance.
Various types of neck lifts depend on the patient’s individual needs and medical history. At Maryland Plastic Surgery, your dedicated surgeon will help you choose the best option for you.
This approach is ideal for patients with advanced skin laxity and muscle banding. It involves incisions made behind the ears and possibly under the chin, allowing the surgeon to tighten the platysma muscles, remove excess skin, and reposition tissues for a firmer neck contour. It offers the most comprehensive and long-lasting results.
Also referred to as a limited incision neck lift, this technique is best suited for individuals with early signs of aging. It uses shorter incisions, often only around the ears, and targets mild to moderate skin laxity. Recovery is generally quicker, and scarring is minimal.
For patients with good skin tone but excess fat beneath the chin or jawline, a neck lift combined with liposuction may be the best solution. This combination refines contours and enhances jaw definition while minimizing the invasiveness of the procedure.
The RE•Lift™ set of facelift procedures are long lasting, minimally invasive treatments that achieve natural results in just one hour with minimal downtime.
The key to these procedures is lifting of the fat and muscle without pulling on the skin.
Enjoy natural results without a “windswept”, pulled or stretched look. Customize your results by choosing from the following combination of procedures: Brows, Eyes, Cheeks, Jowls, and Neck.
At Maryland Plastic Surgery & PURE MedSpa, Dr. Adam Summers and Dr. Christopher Spittler bring decades of experience and artistry to every cosmetic surgery they perform. Known for their precision and natural-looking results, both surgeons take a personalized approach—starting with an in-depth consultation to understand your goals and areas of concern. Whether you’re looking to lift sagging jowls, smooth deep lines, or restore youthful contours, Dr. Summers and Dr. Spittler are committed to helping you look like the best version of yourself. Their reputation for excellence and their dedication to patient satisfaction means you’ll be in the best hands—every step of the way.
A neck lift offers dramatic rejuvenation to one of the most commonly overlooked areas of the face. It can help turn back the clock and restore youthful balance to the lower face.
Benefits of a neck lift include:
Reduction of sagging or loose skin on the neck
Improved definition of the jawline and chin
Smoother, tighter skin with fewer wrinkles and creases
Elimination of visible vertical neck bands
More youthful neck profile and facial balance
Long-lasting results with natural aging progression
Minimal visible scarring with carefully placed incisions
Candidates for a neck lift are typically individuals who are beginning to notice the signs of aging in the neck and jawline area but are otherwise healthy and motivated to improve their appearance.
You may be a good candidate for a neck lift if you:
Have sagging skin, vertical banding, or jowls in the neck area
Feel that your neck makes you look older or heavier than you are
Maintain a stable weight and are in overall good health
Have realistic expectations about surgical outcomes
Are a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking prior to surgery
Are not ready for or do not need a full facelift
During your consultation, Dr. Summers or Dr. Spittler will perform a full evaluation and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan based on your goals.
LET’S GET YOU STARTED
On the day of your surgery at Maryland Plastic Surgery & PURE MedSpa, you’ll be welcomed into our state-of-the-art surgical suite by Dr. Summers, Dr. Spittler, and our experienced clinical team. Before your procedure begins, we’ll review your surgical plan with you once more — giving you a final opportunity to ask questions or share any last-minute thoughts. Our goal is to ensure you feel completely comfortable, confident, and cared for every step of the way.
A board-certified anesthesiologist will then administer the appropriate anesthesia, which will have been carefully selected and discussed during your consultation to ensure a pain-free, relaxed experience throughout your procedure.
Once your ideal results have been achieved, your surgeon will carefully close the incisions using advanced suturing techniques designed to support healing and minimize visible scarring. In some cases, a small drain may be placed to prevent fluid buildup and support a smoother recovery process.
Your neck lift will be performed in our private, accredited surgical suite located in Millersville, MD. The procedure usually takes between two to three hours, depending on the complexity and whether additional treatments are performed at the same time.
After you arrive, your surgeon will review the surgical plan and mark the treatment areas. You’ll be given either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, based on your needs and preferences. Incisions are made discreetly behind the ears and possibly beneath the chin. Through these access points, the surgeon will tighten the underlying platysma muscles, remove excess fat and skin, and sculpt the neck into a more youthful shape. The incisions are then carefully closed with fine sutures, and dressings are applied.
You’ll be monitored in recovery for a short time before being released to go home with detailed post-operative care instructions.
Recovery after a neck lift is generally well-tolerated. Swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness are common in the first week, but these symptoms begin to subside within 10 to 14 days.
Patients are typically advised to:
Keep the head elevated, even while sleeping
Avoid bending, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity for at least two weeks
Wear a compression garment as directed to reduce swelling and support healing
Refrain from smoking or alcohol, which can hinder recovery
Return for follow-up visits to monitor progress
Most patients feel ready to return to work and social activities after 10 to 14 days, though residual swelling may persist for a few weeks. Final results continue to improve over the next several months.
FAIR & TRANSPARENT PRICING
The cost of a neck lift at Maryland Plastic Surgery typically ranges from $8,500 to $12,000 depending on the complexity of the procedure, the technique used, and whether it’s combined with other facial surgeries.
During your private consultation, Dr. Summers will perform a detailed evaluation, listen carefully to your goals, and design a customized treatment plan that best addresses your needs. Once your surgical plan is finalized, our Patient Coordinator will provide you with a personalized cost breakdown and discuss available financing options.
For your convenience, we proudly partner with trusted financing providers such as PatientFi, Alphaeon Credit, and CareCredit, making it easier to move forward with your procedure on terms that fit your budget. Whether you choose to pay upfront or through a flexible monthly plan, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
For general pricing estimates on our full range of services, we invite you to visit our Pricing Page.
A neck lift is a surgical procedure that addresses not only fat, but also loose skin and weakened muscles in the neck. It is ideal for patients with skin laxity or visible vertical banding. Neck liposuction, on the other hand, only removes fat and is best for younger patients with good skin elasticity. Often, the two procedures are combined to achieve optimal contouring and tightening.
Results from a neck lift are long-lasting, typically maintaining improvement for 10 to 15 years. The procedure does not stop the natural aging process, but patients will continue to look more youthful than if they had not undergone surgery. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and good skincare habits can help prolong the results.
The incisions for a neck lift are strategically placed behind the ears and sometimes beneath the chin to keep them discreet. Once healed, these incisions fade significantly and are usually not noticeable to others. Proper wound care, sun protection, and optional scar treatments can help optimize the final appearance.
Most patients report mild to moderate discomfort after surgery, which is well-managed with prescription pain medications or over-the-counter options. A sense of tightness is common and typically improves within the first week. Swelling and bruising are also expected but begin to resolve within 10 to 14 days.
Yes. Many patients choose to combine a neck lift with a facelift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, or non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers or laser resurfacing. Combining procedures allows for more comprehensive rejuvenation and reduces the need for multiple recovery periods.
Most patients are able to return to work or resume normal social activities within 10 to 14 days after surgery. You may wish to wait a bit longer if you’re concerned about visible bruising or swelling. Makeup can be worn after incisions have healed to help conceal any discoloration.
Age is not the primary factor in determining candidacy. Some individuals develop hereditary sagging or premature aging in the neck area as early as their 30s or 40s. If you’re experiencing neck laxity that impacts your confidence, a consultation with one of our surgeons can determine whether a neck lift is appropriate.
A neck lift focuses exclusively on the jawline and neck area, while a facelift includes the midface and lower face as well. If your concerns are limited to sagging in the neck and under the chin, a neck lift may be sufficient. If you also have jowls, nasolabial folds, or cheek volume loss, a facelift may be a better choice. Your surgeon will help you decide during your consultation.
Like any surgical procedure, a neck lift carries some risk, including bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, and nerve injury. These risks are minimized when the surgery is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility. Dr. Summers and Dr. Spittler use meticulous technique and comprehensive pre- and post-operative protocols to ensure your safety and satisfaction.
Non-surgical options such as radiofrequency skin tightening or injectable fat dissolvers can provide modest improvements but are best suited for those with very mild concerns. These treatments do not address muscle laxity or excess skin. For more advanced aging, a surgical neck lift provides the most effective and long-lasting results.
Financing is available to ensure your dream results fit comfortably within your budget.
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