How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?

A surgical neck lift (lower rhytidectomy) costs $11,878 on average, according to 147 recent patient reviews. However, the all-in price can range from just $4,500 for a mini neck lift to $30,000 for a far more extensive procedure.

The most recent data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons puts the average cost of a neck lift at $7,885, but as they note, that’s “only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.” All of these additional fees can add thousands of dollars to your total bill.

This surgical procedure rejuvenates the appearance of your neck by:

• reducing sagging skin and excess fat deposits
• tightening the neck muscles
• contouring deep-neck structures, like submandibular (salivary) glands and digastric muscles
• addressing concerns like jowls, muscle banding, a double chin, and a “turkey neck” appearance

The ideal result is a more defined jawline and slimmer, more youthful neck.  

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

Read on to learn what should be included in your total cost quote, why neck lift pricing varies, and whether patients say it's worth the money.

RealSelf Tip: People who don’t 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 even thousands of dollars less.

What does the cost of a neck lift include?

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

They should send you home with an all-in price quote, including the:

• consultation fee, typically applied to the cost of your procedure
• surgeon’s fee
• facility fee
• anesthesia fees
• follow-up care

Ask whether you’ll need to budget for any prescription pain medications, recovery supplies, or post-surgery garments to help 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, while leaving it up to the patient to cover all additional costs. 

Knowing these details up-front will help you make a more confident decision—and avoid an expensive surprise when the bill arrives.

Consulting with more than one surgeon will allow you to compare personalized quotes. It’s not uncommon for providers to recommend different treatment plans, with very different price tags.

Is a neck lift worth the money?

Neck lift surgery has a 91% based on hundreds of patient reviews on RealSelf, so a solid majority of those who shared their experience say it was a worthwhile investment.

Many of those who say it was “Worth It” cite a more defined neck and jawline that makes them look younger. This cosmetic surgery can deliver a level of tissue-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. Some also complain of numbness, which can linger for weeks or even months before subsiding.

An experienced plastic surgeon who regularly performs this procedure can help you decide whether it’s likely to be worth it for you, or if a less invasive, cheaper option could give you the results you want.

Why neck lift surgery costs vary

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

1) The complexity of your procedure

The price you pay will depend largely on type of neck lift you get.

A full neck lift is a multi-step operation that includes: 

• Liposuction to remove excess fat
• A platysmaplasty to tighten the platysma muscles and address muscle banding
• A cervicoplasty to remove excess skin (via incisions around the ears)
• Deep-neck work, such as removing excess fat from below the platysma and reducing bulging or low-hanging salivary glands and digastric muscles, to contour the neck line

RealSelf Tip: 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 it’s not the right choice for everyone: 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. (In fact, most facelifts include a neck lift.)

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. 

As you’d expect, add-on procedures will increase your total 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 experience, credentials, and reputation

It's important to seek out an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds or thousands of neck lift procedures, especially if you’re having deep-neck work done (something not every surgeon offers).

Choosing a surgeon with years of experience and advanced training increases your chances of a good cosmetic result, while minimizing the possibility of complications and a poor outcome.

This is a complex cosmetic procedure. It is widely considered safe, but it does come with risks, including asymmetry and (rarely) nerve damage.

During your consultations, ask each plastic surgeon you consider how many neck lift procedures they perform each month, their complication rate, and how they handle complications. Those who bristle at questions like this or seem evasive may not respond well if you call them with a post-op concern.

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.

Demand for cosmetic procedures in metropolitan areas can also inflate fees.

If you're in an expensive 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 sometimes be worth it.

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

5) The type of surgical facility where it’s performed

Plastic surgeons often perform neck lifts at their own surgical centers, which can save you money. If you have this option, ask if their facility is accredited by one of these organizations.

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. This 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.

A growing number of doctors also offer a local anesthetic with IV or twilight sedation. This blocks pain, reduces anxiety, and causes minor memory loss in the patient, but they breathe on their own during surgery. This option may come 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 providers have been offering facial plastic surgery procedures like this one under local anesthesia, with an oral sedative. This blocks the pain in the neck area, and while the patient remains awake, 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?

Short- and long-term financing options like CareCredit can make this and other facial plastic surgery procedures more affordable.

Ask your plastic surgeon which financing options they accept. Many also offer monthly payment plans, with low or no interest for some period of time.

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