Ever feel like your neck is giving away more about your age than you’d like? If the answer is yes, you are absolutely not alone. Neck lift procedures consistently rank in the top 10 of all plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States—and for good reason. The neck is one of the first places to show visible signs of aging, and it’s also one of the most transformative areas to address.
If you’re not quite sure what a neck lift involves, who it’s right for, or what to expect here at the Centre for Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, this blog is for you. Let’s walk through everything you need to know.
What Is a Neck Lift and What Does the Procedure Actually Involve?
A neck lift is actually a “lower facelift” or rhytidectomy. This cosmetic surgical procedure is designed to tighten lax skin, remove excess fat, and reshape the underlying neck muscles, specifically the platysma, to create a smoother, more defined jawline and neck contour.
Here’s the thing that surprises a lot of patients: the incisions are carefully mapped out to stay hidden within the natural contours of your lower face. A primary incision is made beneath the chin (the submental area), and others typically begin just behind the ears, extending gently into the hairline. From there, excess skin and fat are removed, and the muscles are “plicated,” or tightened, to give the appearance of a more defined, youthful jawline and neck.
Neck lifts are also frequently combined with a full facelift, eyelid lift, or laser skin resurfacing for patients wanting more comprehensive rejuvenation. Your surgeon will help you understand what combination makes the most sense for your goals.
Dr. Rechner says, “A facelift is mostly a neck lift and often delivers the most notable change following the procedure. We look at our faces countless times a day, and what we see in the mirror can translate to how we feel about ourselves. A rejuvenated neck makes us appear—and feel—younger and more fit. It also simply feels better not to have extra skin in this area. You can never go wrong with youthful, balanced anatomy.”
Who Is the Best Candidate for a Neck Lift?
Great candidates for a neck lift are healthy, non-smoking individuals who are at a stable weight and still have reasonably good skin tone and elasticity. What does that mean exactly? Even if your skin feels lax, it should have enough natural structure to hold its shape and position after surgery for a satisfying, long-lasting result.
Most patients who come to us at the Centre for Plastic Surgery are concerned about their profile. They feel like their neck looks “saggy” or that their chin area has become overly full—and they notice it’s starting to drag down the overall appearance of their face and profile.
Some patients need more than just a neck lift. If you’re also dealing with visible “jowling” along the lower face, a full facelift (rhytidectomy) may be recommended to address both areas together. The best way to know which approach is right for you is a personalized consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
What Is the Best Age for a Neck Lift?
Here’s something that surprises many patients: age itself isn’t the most important factor—your overall health and skin quality are. That said, most patients seeking this procedure are between 40 and 65 years of age, which is typically when the signs of aging in the neck and jaw become most noticeable.
What matters most is that you’re free of medical conditions that could impair healing or interfere with anesthesia, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure or significant cardiovascular disease.
Skin elasticity is also a key part of the conversation. Here’s a simple self-test: gently pinch the skin on your neck. If it immediately snaps back and smooths out, your elasticity is good. If it remains pinched or slowly relaxes back into place, you may have more significant skin laxity. In that case, your surgeon might recommend pairing your neck lift with laser skin resurfacing to improve your skin’s overall health and quality, and help you hold your results longer.
How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?
We’re going to be straightforward with you here, because pricing transparency is something we genuinely care about at the Centre for Plastic Surgery.
The total cost of your neck lift will depend on the extent of surgery required and will vary from patient to patient. At our practice, the cost includes the physician’s fees, anesthesia, the facility cost, all pre- and post-operative visits, and your surgical garments—no surprise add-ons. The price estimator form on our website is updated regularly, so you can get a realistic idea of what to expect before you ever pick up the phone. And if financing is something you’d like to explore, we’re happy to walk you through those options during your consultation.
What Happens During a Neck Lift Consultation at the Centre for Plastic Surgery?
We’ve designed our consultation process to feel easy, informative, and completely pressure-free because that’s the experience you deserve when making this important decision.
Here’s how it works:
- Your first step is a detailed call with one of our patient care coordinators. They’ll take time to chat with you about your health history, goals, ideal timeline, and anything else that’s on your mind. From there, your consultation with your surgeon will be scheduled.
- During your unhurried consultation, you’ll sit down with your surgeon and cover everything—the surgical plan, risks, recovery, timelines, and what realistic results look like for you. You’ll have the chance to review before-and-after photos, and we’ll take photos of you to begin building a record of your progress.
- After your time with the surgeon, you’ll meet again with your patient care coordinator to go over any remaining questions, walk through your charges, and get set up with a monthly payment plan if needed. If you’re ready to schedule, wonderful. If you need more time, that’s completely okay too.
How Do You Choose the Right Neck Lift Surgeon?
This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in this whole process, so let’s talk through it carefully.
First and foremost, your surgeon should be board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This certification means your surgeon has completed the rigorous training required to meet ABPS standards: graduating from an accredited medical school, completing at least six years of specialized surgical residency training, holding an unrestricted medical license, and passing both written and oral examinations administered by the ABPS. It’s worth noting that not all surgeons who perform plastic surgery procedures in Michigan are board-certified. Always verify before you commit.
Beyond credentials, you want a surgeon you genuinely connect with, someone who takes the time to understand your goals, explains the risks and expected outcomes clearly, and makes you feel confident in the plan you’re building together.
How does our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Benjamin Rechner, MD, connect with his patients?
“By truly listening. First, we connect professionally—discussing your concerns and shaping a plan to address them. Then, almost always, we connect personally through shared interests and experiences. I believe the best results come when my patients feel comfortable enough to be open and honest.”
Ready to Learn More About Neck Lift Surgery in West Michigan?
If any of this resonates with you—whether you’re just starting to research or you’re already thinking about scheduling—we’d love to hear from you. There is absolutely no pressure to commit to anything until you’re ready. We’re always happy to have a conversation about your specific concerns and help you determine if a consultation is the right next step.
Give us a call today. Our team at the Centre for Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids is here to answer your questions, walk you through your options, and make sure you feel completely at ease every step of the way.