Neck Lift in Naples, FL

A smooth, well-defined neck and jawline are among the features we most associate with youth, even if we don’t always notice them until they start to change. Over time, the skin of the neck loosens, the muscles underneath weaken and separate, and fat can collect beneath the chin. The result can be jowls, a softened jawline, vertical neck bands, or a “turkey neck” appearance that makes you look older or more tired than you feel.

A neck lift is designed to address these changes directly. Because the neck frames the lower face, improving its contour can refresh your whole profile, and many patients say it helps them feel comfortable in photos again. Cosmetic surgeons often perform a neck lift at the same time as a facelift surgical procedure to eliminate sagging skin for a more youthful appearance. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Prysi performs neck lift surgery for patients in Naples, Fort Myers, and throughout Southwest Florida, with a focus on natural-looking results that suit each patient’s facial structure.

What is A Neck Lift or Lower Rhytidectomy

A neck lift, also called a lower rhytidectomy, is a form of cosmetic surgery, and the neck lift procedure improves the contour of the neck and jawline. Depending on your needs, this surgical procedure can remove excess skin under the chin and sagging skin around the neck, tighten the underlying platysma muscle to smooth visible neck bands, and reduce excess fat beneath the chin and along the jaw.

A neck lift focuses on the skin beneath the jawline. It does not treat the eyes, brows, cheeks, or other signs of aging, which is why some patients choose to pair it with a full facelift or other cosmetic procedures. It cannot stop the aging process either, so this procedure is not technically a “permanent” solution to eliminating the turkey wattle, though it can substantially remove excess fat and create a more refined appearance.

Who is a Candidate for Neck Cosmetic Procedures

You may be a good candidate for neck lift surgery if you are bothered by a sagging neck, jowls that blur the jawline, fullness under the chin, prominent vertical neck bands, or the turkey wattle look below the chin. Good candidates are generally in good overall health, do not smoke (or are willing to stop before and after surgery), and have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve.

Not every patient needs a full neck lift. Neck liposuction may be enough for most patients whose main concern is fat under the chin and who still have good skin elasticity, since healthy skin can contract smoothly over the new contour. It is often best suited to younger patients and may be performed with local anesthesia. When signs of aging are more advanced, including significant skin laxity, jowling, and muscle banding, the more invasive option is typically needed to address all of these concerns together. Dr. Prysi will help you determine which approach fits your anatomy and goals, and whether you can improve contour without a surgical neck lift.

“I am very pleased with the results of my surgery and with the follow-up services that Dr. Prysi has provided to me. Dr. Prysi is very up-to-date with his techniques and I felt that he went out of his way to explain to me what he would be doing and why. Also, he and his staff made me feel very comfortable in responding to any follow-up questions that I had. ”

“My sister recommended Dr. Prysi. From first contact with his staff through surgery ... the experience was amazing. Made me feel unique and like a work of art.”

“Felt very comfortable with Dr. Prysi & staff. They were very thorough and left me feeling confident with my decision.”

“Dr. Prysi is truly a master of his craft. His skill is simply amazing. You will not find a better plastic surgeon. I am six months post op and the incisions are nearly invisible. I had no complications and I look and feel fantastic! He listens and addresses all my concerns/questions. He is attentive, friendly and pleasant. His staff is friendly, knowledgeable and a pleasure to see every visit. I feel so fortunate to have find such a skilled Surgeon and staff. ”

Preparing for a Neck Lift Consultation

Your neck lift consultation is an opportunity to discuss your concerns and learn which options are right for you. To make the most of it, come prepared to share your complete medical history, including any health conditions, prior surgeries, allergies, and current medications or supplements. It also helps to think about what bothers you most when you look at your neck and jawline, and to bring questions about the procedure, recovery, and cost.

During your visit, Dr. Prysi will examine your skin quality, muscle tone, and fat distribution, and talk with you about your goals. If you are comparing cosmetic surgeons in Naples, many board-certified specialists focus on facial rejuvenation, and Dr. Prysi will explain how his approach to plastic surgery fits your needs. If you move forward with surgery, our team will provide pre-operative instructions, which may include lab work or a medical evaluation, avoiding smoking for 4 weeks before and after surgery, and avoiding certain medications and supplements that can increase bleeding, such as aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs. You’ll also want to arrange for someone to drive you home and help care for you after surgery. Ahead of your surgical procedure, you will receive a neck contouring guide to review.

Your Neck Contouring Procedure

Neck lift surgery procedure is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation and usually takes a few hours. Dr. Prysi tailors the technique to each patient, but the procedure generally involves discreet incisions beneath the chin and/or around the earlobe, extending behind the ear toward the lower scalp; some patients may also be candidates for minimally invasive techniques that use a small incision or shorter incisions with less recovery time.

Through these incisions, Dr. Prysi tightens the neck muscles, removes or repositions excess fat, sometimes with the help of liposuction, and trims away loose or excess skin to improve the neck’s appearance. The remaining skin is then redraped for a smoother, firmer contour. Incisions are closed with sutures and placed within the hairline and the natural creases around the ear and chin so they are well concealed as they heal. A light surgical dressing may be applied to support the area afterward.

Artist. Surgeon. Innovator.

Mark F. Prysi, MD, FACS

Every facial surgery is a piece of art.

Dr. Mark Prysi is a nationally recognized, board-certified Plastic Surgeon, and expert in facelift procedures in Naples, FL. He is an internationally renowned expert in plastic surgery who has been consistently recognized as one of the “Best Plastic Surgeons in Southwest Florida” and one of the “Best Doctors in America.” He is the former Chief of Plastic surgery at Naples Day Surgery and past chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Naples Community Hospital. Dr. Prysi’s innate surgical skills and artistic aesthetic judgment combined with over 25 years of experience makes all the difference.

MEET DR. Prysi

Neck Lift Recovery

Immediately following neck lift surgery, you may have an overnight stay at the hospital, if that was previously discussed as part of your recovery plan. Otherwise, you will need to ensure you have transportation from the hospital. Swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness or numbness in the neck are normal after surgery. Most swelling and bruising improve noticeably over the first week or two, while tightness and numbness can take longer to fully resolve. It is best to keep your head elevated to allow for best healing.

Dr. Prysi asks patients to plan on staying home for about the first seven days. Most patients return to work within about two weeks, depending on the nature of their job. It is best to avoid extended sun exposure while you heal in order to minimize the chance of continued swelling and redness. You’ll be given detailed recovery instructions and will return to our Naples office for follow-up visits so Dr. Prysi can monitor your healing and remove sutures. If you have questions at any point during recovery, our office is available at (239) 449-6489.

In the Media

Our Blog

How to Choose Your Plastic Surgeon

Read More

The Benefits of Getting Plastic Surgery During Holidays

Read More

The Facelift FAQs: Your Most Pressing Questions Answered 

Read More

Am I a Good Candidate for Facelift?

Read More

View more posts

Combining a Neck Lift with Other Treatments

Because a neck lift focuses on the area below the jawline, it’s often combined with other procedures to create balanced, harmonious results across the face. Combining treatments can also mean a single recovery period. Dr. Prysi will recommend a plan based on your anatomy and goals.

Endoscopic Composite Facelift

If you’re also noticing sagging in the cheeks and midface, a neck lift pairs naturally with an endoscopic composite facelift. This face lift approach lifts the deeper tissues of the face through small incisions, and together the two procedures can rejuvenate the face and neck in a coordinated, natural-looking way, with combining it with a neck lift creating a more youthful appearance when lower-face and neck aging are both concerns.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

A heavy or low brow can make you appear tired or stern even after the lower face and neck are refreshed. An endoscopic brow lift uses small, hidden incisions to elevate the brows and smooth forehead lines, helping the upper face match the more youthful contour of your neck. Some patients also consider eyelid surgery to refresh the eyes so the upper face stays in balance with the rejuvenated neck and brow.

Chin Surgery

A weak or recessed chin can make the neck look fuller and the jawline less defined. Chin surgery can bring the chin into better proportion with the rest of the face, and when combined with a neck lift, it can create a stronger, more defined profile.

Alternatives to the Surgical Neck Lift

Neck Liposuction

For some patients, the main concern is fullness under the chin or along the jawline rather than loose skin. In these cases, neck liposuction may offer a less invasive alternative to a lower rhytidectomy that still improves your overall appearance. Using small incisions typically placed beneath the chin or behind the earlobes, Dr. Prysi removes excess fat to sharpen the angle between the jaw and neck and create a more defined profile. The best candidates have good skin elasticity, which allows the skin to contract smoothly over the new contour, and this is often the case for younger patients. Recovery is generally shorter than after a neck lift, and patients usually wear a compression garment for a period afterward to support healing. However, liposuction removes only fat. It cant tighten loose skin or smooth neck bands, and if skin laxity is significant, removing fat alone may make sagging more noticeable. During your consultation, Dr. Prysi will evaluate your skin quality and anatomy to determine whether liposuction alone, a neck lift, or a combination of the two will give you the best result.

Nonsurgical Options to Treat a Double Chin

Not everyone is ready for surgery, and some patients with milder concerns may prefer a nonsurgical neck lift to improve the area with less invasive care. Our med spa offers treatments that can enhance the lower face without surgery. Botox can relax neck muscles and reduce wrinkles. Dermal fillers can restore volume in the neck area. Fractionated laser treatment can improve skin texture, while radiofrequency with microneedling stimulates collagen production and ultrasound technology improves fine lines and wrinkles. These options can help some patients avoid a surgical neck lift, but an invasive neck lift generally provides longer-lasting results than non-surgical options. Dr. Prysi and our aesthetic team can help you compare your options.

Sciton Laser Skin Resurfacing

A neck lift tightens the underlying muscles and removes loose skin, but it doesn’t change the surface of the skin itself. Many patients also notice crepey texture, fine lines, sun damage, or uneven pigmentation on the neck, which are common in the Florida sun. Sciton laser skin resurfacing can complement a neck lift by improving skin tone and texture for a smoother, more even result. Laser resurfacing may also help soften the appearance of healed neck lift incisions, making them blend more naturally with the surrounding skin. Scars can’t be erased completely, but their texture and color can often be improved. Neck skin is thinner and more delicate than facial skin, so treatment settings and timing are chosen carefully. Scar treatments are typically done only after incisions have fully healed. Dr. Prysi will recommend whether and when laser resurfacing fits into your treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Neck Lifts

Why Choose Prysi Cosmetic Surgery for Your Neck Lift Procedure

Choosing a surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when considering a neck lift, which is why you will want one of the top plastic surgeons in the facial surgery space. Dr. Mark Prysi is an American Board-Certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons with more than 25 years of experience in facial rejuvenation. He is the former Chief of Plastic Surgery at Naples Day Surgery and past chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Naples Community Hospital, and he is known for his work in facial procedures, including the endoscopic composite facelift. Dr. Prysi combines surgical precision with an artist’s eye for proportion, and he tailors every neck lift to the patient’s anatomy so results look refreshed and natural rather than tight or overdone. He also takes time to explain your options and answer your questions. Our Naples practice offers surgical and med spa care under one roof, so you can combine treatments or maintain your results with the same trusted team.

What to Know About Neck Lift Costs

Neck lift costs can vary from patient to patient, and between cosmetic surgeons. While it can be an important factor, it’s important to not pick your surgeon based on the cost of the treatment and instead on the level of experience, the offered type of care, and the ability to remove sagging skin, reduce the appearance of your double chin, and provide the necessary steps for optimal neck lift recovery.

Learn More About the Neck Lift Procedure at Prysi Cosmetic

If you’d like a smoother jawline and a more youthful-looking neck, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Prysi at our Naples office. He’ll take the time to understand your goals, walk you through your options, and create a treatment plan tailored to you. Contact us online or call (239) 449-6489 to get started.

Have questions?

Schedule a consultation to discuss any questions you may have and to learn more about the procedure you are interested in. Dr. Prysi can’t wait to meet with you!

Contact us