How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?

A surgical neck lift costs $8,675 on average, according to thousands of recent reviews from real patients. However, the price can range from just $4,500 to $23,000.

This surgical procedure reduces sagging skin and excess fat while tightening the neck muscles, addressing concerns like jowls, a double chin, and a “turkey neck” appearance. The ideal result is a slimmer, more defined and youthful jawline and neck.  

A neck lift is considered elective cosmetic surgery, so it’s not covered by insurance.

Read on to learn what should be included in your total cost quote, why prices vary, and whether real patients think it's worth the money.

RealSelf Tip: Patients who don’t yet have significant skin laxity may be good candidates for a mini neck lift. This less invasive procedure doesn't usually involve platysmaplasty, which tightens the platysma muscle to remove neck bands and creases. It requires just a small incision under the chin to remove excess skin and fat.

Results from a mini procedure aren’t as dramatic as what you’d see with a full neck lift. They also don’t last as long: about 5–10 years. But a mini neck lift can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars less.

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What does the cost of a neck lift include?

During your initial consultation, you and your prospective surgeon should discuss your concerns and their recommended treatment plan in detail.

This is the perfect time to ask for an all-in neck lift cost quote, which should include:

• The consultation fee, which is typically applied to the cost of your procedure
• The surgeon’s fee
• The facility fee
• The anesthesia fee
• Follow-up care

Ask whether you’ll need to budget for any prescription pain medications, recovery supplies, or post-surgical garments to reduce swelling.

It’s also smart to ask what will happen if you have a complication or a subpar result that requires revision surgery. Some surgeons will waive their surgeon’s fee, but even in that situation you may need to cover all the additional costs. 

Knowing all of this up-front will help you make a more confident decision and avoid expensive surprises.

You can consult with more than one surgeon and compare personalized quotes. They may recommend different treatment plans with very different price tags.

Is the cost of a neck lift worth it?

Neck lift surgery has a 92% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, meaning that a majority think it was worth the investment.

Many of those who say it was “Worth It” cite a more defined neck and jawline that makes them look younger. Surgery can deliver a level of skin-tightening and wrinkle-smoothing results that “nonsurgical neck lifts” or injectables like Botox and fillers can’t rival. Neck lift surgery results also last far longer: up to 15 years.

Those who say their neck lift was “Not Worth It” commonly cite concerns like visible scarring, asymmetry, and poor healing.  

What affects the cost of a neck lift?

These are the biggest factors that will impact the price you pay.

1) The complexity of your procedure

The price you pay for your neck lift will depend on the extent of your procedure. 

A full neck lift (lower rhytidectomy) actually involves a series of procedures. 

• Liposuction to remove excess fat
• A platysmaplasty to tighten the platysma muscles
• A cervicoplasty to remove excess skin

Some surgeons offer what's called a short scar neck lift, which improves neck contour without removing any neck skin. This shorter, simpler procedure usually costs less than one involving a cervicoplasty, though good candidates don't have a lot of loose skin.

2) Whether you combine your neck lift with other procedures 

If your concerns don’t end at the jawline, there are benefits to combining a neck lift with a facelift. Patients with advanced signs of aging may even opt for full facial rejuvenation, including a brow lift, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), chin implant, or lip lift. 

Add-on procedures increase your overall bill. However, there are several aesthetic and financial benefits to combining them in a single operation, rather than having separate procedures.

• You'll only pay the facility and anesthesia fees once. 
• Most surgeons provide some discount on additional procedures.
• Addressing the face and neck together creates a better, more harmonious result.
• You’ll only have one recovery period.

3) Your surgeon's level of training, expertise, and reputation

It's important to seek out an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds (or even thousands) of neck lifts. Choosing a surgeon with this level of advanced training increases your chances of a good cosmetic result and minimizes the chance of complications.

This is a complex cosmetic procedure, and while it's considered safe, it does come with risks, including asymmetry and (rarely) nerve damage. Ask your plastic surgeon how many neck lift procedures they perform each month, their complication rate, and how they handle complications. 

Surgeons who deeply discount their fees may not be fully qualified, while the most expensive surgeon isn’t necessarily the most talented. Pay close attention to your prospective surgeons' qualifications, patient reviews, and photo galleries, along with how well they listen to your concerns.

4) Their practice location

Doctors who practice in high-rent neighborhoods of major cities, such as New York and LA, have to charge more to cover their overhead.

If you're in a high-cost area, consider finding a surgeon in a more affordable neighborhood or city.  It's possible to find highly qualified facial plastic surgeons who can produce beautiful results in more modest surroundings. Even considering travel expenses, the savings can be worth it.

Related: The RealSelf Guide to Traveling Out-of-State for Surgery

5) The type of surgical facility where your neck lift is performed

Plastic surgeons often perform neck lifts at their own surgical centers, which can save you money.

Some plastic surgeons prefer to perform this outpatient procedure in a hospital. This increases the facility fee, but the added expense may be worth the increased safety for high-risk patients with underlying conditions.

6) The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it

Typically, those undergoing neck lift surgery have general anesthesia, which renders the patient unconscious and unresponsive until the surgeon has finished. Most plastic surgeons prefer general anesthesia because it improves patient comfort and facilitates a smoother operation. 

General anesthesia can be administered by either a nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or an anesthesiologist (an MD). A CRNA charges a lower fee, but some prefer the expertise of a doctor.

Increasingly, some doctors are also offering a local anesthetic with twilight sedation. This blocks pain, reduces anxiety, and causes minor memory loss in the patient, but they remain awake and breathing on their own during the entire surgery. This option comes with safety advantages, but it's not necessarily cheaper because the anesthesiologist still has to be present to monitor you throughout your procedure.

Lastly, some plastic surgeons offer neck lift procedures under local anesthesia, combined with an oral sedative to enhance patient comfort. This blocks the pain in the neck area, and while the patient remains conscious, they feel sleepy and relaxed. This option can significantly lower your anesthesia fees, but it may not be entirely comfortable if your procedure is long and complex.

Can you finance neck lift surgery?

Yes, financing options like CareCredit can make this and other facial plastic surgery procedures more affordable. Ask your plastic surgeon which financing options they accept.

Average cost of a neck lift by U.S. state

Browse average neck lift costs by state, according to the 215 most recent RealSelf reviews as of March 2023. (Note: States not included don't have enough recent data to display.)

Neck lift costs in major U.S. metros