What is a Neck Lift?

Loose neck skin, soft tissue laxity, visible neck bands or fullness under the chin can affect the definition between the face, jawline and neck. These changes in the neck, that happen naturally as we age, are a common reason people speak to Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Jeremy Richardson, about neck lift surgery.

Consulting at Queens Parade Specialists in Fitzroy North, Dr Richardson will tailor your surgical plan to your anatomy, skin quality, muscle laxity, the areas of concern and your goals.

This guide explains neck lift surgery, what to expect from consultation to recovery and answers a frequent question, “can a neck lift be done with or without a facelift?”

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A neck lift is a surgical procedure that can help address loose skin, excess fat, visible neck bands and soft tissue changes beneath the chin and through the neck by refining its shape and contour.

A neck lift is not one standard operation. Depending on the tissues involved, surgery may include skin removal, tightening of the platysma muscle, adjustment of deeper tissues or removal of selected fat deposits, muscle or part of the submandibular glands.

Incisions may be positioned around the ears, beneath the chin or in both areas and it may be combined with other procedures when changes affect parts of the face and neck together.

What are cervicoplasty, platysmaplasty and lower rhytidectomy?

Cervicoplasty, platysmaplasty and lower rhytidectomy are terms for different areas or techniques that may be included in neck lift surgery.

Cervicoplasty
Cervicoplasty refers to removing excess or sagging skin from the neck. It usually forms one part of a broader neck lift procedure as skin removal alone does not necessarily address vertical neck bands, deeper tissue changes or lower face laxity.

Platysmaplasty
Tightening, repairing or repositioning the platysma muscle is called platysmaplasty. The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle extending from the collarbone towards the lower face. Changes in this muscle can contribute to vertical neck bands and reduced definition beneath the chin. Platysmaplasty may be combined with cervicoplasty when both muscle laxity and loose skin are present.

Lower rhytidectomy
Surgery on the lower face, jawline and neck in general is referred to as lower rhytidectomy. It can be used in conjunction with, or as part of, a lower facelift and neck lift plan.

The terminology used can vary. What matters is understanding which areas and tissue layers will be treated as part of your procedure. Dr Richardson encourages questions that can support you in making an informed decision.

Can you combine a neck lift with facelift surgery?

Yes. Many patients seek to combine neck lift surgery with facelift surgery (rhytidectomy or meloplasty) as the face and neck are closely connected.

Changes in the lower face may contribute to jowling or reduced jawline definition, while neck changes may include loose skin, platysma bands or fullness beneath the chin.

A neck lift focuses primarily on the neck and area beneath the jaw, whilst a facelift can address tissue descent through the cheeks, jowls and lower face. Combining the procedures allows these connected areas to be considered within the same surgical plan.

But this does not mean everyone considering a neck lift also needs a facelift. The recommendation should be based on the areas contributing to your concerns and specialist assessment.

Can a neck lift be performed without a facelift?

A neck lift can be performed without a facelift in suitable patients. This may be considered when concerns are mainly limited to the neck, such as:

Loose skin beneath the chin or at the front of the neck
Vertical platysma bands
Fullness beneath the chin
Limited jowling or lower-face laxity
A cheek and lower-face position that does not require significant lifting
Prominent submandibular glands

However, where noticeable jowling or lower-face tissue descent is also present, a neck lift alone may not be able to address the full area of concern.

Dr Richardson will assess the face, jawline and neck together before discussing if a neck lift or a combined procedure may be suitable.

Can a neck lift be combined with other selected facial procedures?

A neck lift is often combined with selected facial procedures when different areas are being addressed, including:

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
Brow lift surgery (browplasty)
Facial fat grafting (autologous fat transfer or lipofilling)
Facelift surgery (rhytidectomy or lower rhytidectomy)

Each procedure addresses a different anatomical area and are not automatically included or suitable with a neck lift. Combining procedures also affects the length of surgery, recovery requirements and follow-up care, and suitability will depend on your health, anatomy, priorities and the overall extent of the proposed surgery.

What to expect at a neck lift consultation

A specialist consultation is a review of your medical history, current health and a discussion to establish which tissues and areas are contributing to your concerns. Dr Richardson will examine your face, jawline and neck, including:

Skin laxity, sun damage and elasticity
Platysma muscle position and neck bands
Fat beneath the chin
Submandibular glands
Jowling and lower-face tissue descent
Jaw and chin structure
Existing scars or facial asymmetry

You do not need to arrive knowing which operation you require. The purpose of your consultation is to assess suitability and explain the available options clearly.

Consultation will cover if surgery may involve cervicoplasty, platysmaplasty, lower rhytidectomy or a combination of techniques. Dr Richardson will also explain proposed incision placement, anaesthesia, risks, recovery and follow-up care.

What happens during neck lift surgery?

Neck lift surgery is generally performed under anaesthesia. The specific technique depends on the tissues being treated and if it is a combination procedure.

Incisions are usually placed around the ears, beneath the chin or in both areas. Through these incisions, Dr Richardson can:

Remove or reposition selected fat
Tighten or repair the platysma muscle
Adjust deeper supporting tissues including the submandibular glands
Remove excess skin
Reposition the remaining skin over the deeper tissues

When a facelift is performed at the same time, the procedure will also address tissue descent through the lower face and jowls.

Dr Richardson will explain the surgical steps before you decide whether to proceed.

What is recovery after neck lift surgery like?

Swelling, bruising, tightness and discomfort are common experiences during early neck lift recovery. A support garment will be recommended and temporary drains may be used in some procedures. Dr Jeremy Richardson often uses a Haemostatic Net in the first few days after facelift and neck lift surgery to help decrease the risk of bleeding, control swelling and help contour the soft tissues.

Most patients can plan for approximately two weeks away from work although recovery timelines can vary. A combined facelift and neck lift may require a longer, more involved recovery than an isolated neck procedure.

Gentle cardiovascular exercise can be commenced a week or two after surgery, but heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and excessive neck movement are all restricted during early healing until six weeks after your operation. Scars and swelling continue to settle over several months, with advice provided according to your procedure and post-operative reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a neck lift the same as a facelift?
No. A neck lift primarily addresses the neck and area beneath the jaw and a facelift addresses above the jaw. The procedures may be combined when changes affect both areas though.

Is cervicoplasty the same as platysmaplasty?
These are different. Cervicoplasty refers to removing excess neck skin, and platysmaplasty involves tightening, repairing or repositioning the platysma muscle. Neck lift surgery may include one or both.

Does a neck lift include platysmaplasty?
Platysmaplasty may be included when platysma muscle laxity or visible neck bands are present.

Can a neck lift address jowls?
A neck lift can address the transition between the jawline and neck, but for more noticeable jowling that involves tissue descent through the lower face, facelift surgery may also be discussed.

Neck lift and facelift surgery in Melbourne

Dr Jeremy Richardson, is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Melbourne with MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), DipSurgAnat and FRACS (Plast) qualifications. ). He is Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon (ANZBCPS) and member of the ASPS (Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons), ASAPS (Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons).

Dr Richardson has a special interest in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including facelift, neck lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery and nose surgery.

To discuss if a neck lift alone or combined facial surgery may be suitable for you, contact Queens Parade Specialists in Fitzroy North to book a consultation with Dr Jeremy Richardson.

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Read more about Neck Lift Surgery in Melbourne

References

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). Facelift surgery. https://plasticsurgery.org.au/procedures/surgical-procedures/facelift-surgery/

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Neck lift (platysmaplasty): Surgery, recovery and what to expect. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23364-neck-lift-platysmaplasty

Healthdirect Australia. (2025). Guide to cosmetic surgery. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/guide-to-cosmetic-surgery

This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All surgery carries risk and results may vary. Consult Dr Jeremy Richardson, MED0001204528, MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), DipSurgAnat, FRACS (Plast), Specialist Plastic Surgeon, for personalised advice and tailored treatment.