Often, the neck is the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to rejuvenating your overall appearance.
Without addressing sagging skin or wrinkles on the neck, other anti-aging procedures on your face or chest may not be sufficient enough to achieve the best possible results.
With personalized planning, extensive experience, and meticulous execution, Houston Neck Lift Plastic Surgeons Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks ensure patients maximize their outcome and investment in the Heights Plastic Surgery experience.
Lower Rhytidectomy also known as: Neck lift \ low-er \ rit-i-DEK-tuh-mee \
Plastic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the neck to address wrinkles, sagging, and enhance jawline contouring
Procedure options: short-scar facelift, platysmaplasty, cervioplasty
Addresses Sagging Skin, Drooping Skin, Fatty Jowls, Double Chin, Neck Bands or Cords
Procedure Time 1-3 hours
Eligibility Female & Male, 18+, Non-Smoker
Possible Side Effects Redness, Swelling, Drainage, Tightness, Bruising
Our highly personalized approach to neck lifts means we can achieve a healthy, well-rested look that perfectly complements each patient’s unique facial structure.
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A neck lift, also called a lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that refines the contour of the neck and jawline by removing excess skin and excess fat, tightening the platysma muscle, and redraping remaining skin for a smooth, natural-looking result.
At Heights Plastic Surgery in Houston, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks tailor the neck lift procedure to each patient’s anatomy, using limited incision techniques, cervicoplasty, platysmaplasty, and, when useful, targeted neck liposuction. The goal is neck rejuvenation that restores balance between the face and neck without the “pulled tight” look.
The neck often shows visible signs of aging sooner than the face due to skin laxity, changes in the underlying neck muscles, and fat accumulation under the chin.
A neck lift addresses sagging skin, drooping jowls along the jawline, neck bands created by platysma separation, and fullness that reads as a double chin. It also improves creases related to sun damage from prolonged sun exposure and helps harmonize facial features so the lower face and neck look refreshed and proportional.
When considering a neck lift Houston patients want to achieve a defined contour, a crisper angle between the chin and neck, and a more youthful appearance that still looks like them.
Because the operation corrects deeper structures—not just surface skin—it offers long-lasting improvement in areas that rarely respond to skincare alone. Incisions are placed to minimize visible scarring and are typically hidden behind the ear and, if needed, under the chin. Most patients describe a boost in self-confidence once swelling fades and final results settle.
Ideal Neck Lift candidates are healthy adults who notice loose skin, neck bands, or a soft jawline that no longer matches how they feel.
Many patients seek surgery after weight loss, as part of a comprehensive rejuvenation plan with a facelift or mini facelift, or as a focused lift surgery when the face still looks good but the neck does not. A consultation with a qualified surgeon includes an exam of the platysma muscle, fat distribution, and skin quality, along with a discussion of neck lift results, realistic expectations, and medical factors that could affect healing. Smoking cessation, stable weight, and good general health support a smooth recovery process.
Preparation starts with an initial consultation to review medical history, current medications, and prior cosmetic procedures.
Your Neck Lift surgeon will outline pre-operative guidelines that may include pausing blood thinners and certain supplements, arranging a ride home, and planning time off work. Patients receive instructions on skin care, hydration, and nutrition to support healing. Simple steps at home such as setting up extra pillows to keep the head elevated, prepping soft foods, and organizing incision care supplies make the first few weeks easier and help maintain patient safety.
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Neck lift surgery is typically an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia, though select cases may use local anesthesia with sedation.
After carefully planned markings, small incisions are placed around the ear and sometimes beneath the chin. When excess fat is present, the surgeon may remove it through neck liposuction. The platysma muscle is tightened to correct neck bands and reinforce support, then remaining skin is redraped to refine the neck area without tension. Incisions are closed with fine sutures, and a light compression bandage is placed to limit swelling and protect the incision site. The operation usually takes two to three hours, depending on whether other procedures such as a brow lift, mini facelift, or fat contouring are done the same day.
You’ll see improvement right away, though early swelling can blur some of the new definition.
Over the next few weeks the neck relaxes, contours refine, and the deeper work settles. Most final Neck Lift results show around three to four months as residual swelling fades and the skin conforms to its renewed support. With steady sun protection and a stable weight, results can hold beautifully for years. The comment we hear most: you look rested, not “done,” with a cleaner jawline and a neck that finally matches how you feel.
Neck lift recovery is straightforward for most patients.
Expect mild swelling, bruising, and a sense of tightness for the first few days. Keeping the head elevated, even during sleep, reduces pressure and speeds the recovery process. Light walking is encouraged early, but strenuous activity and heavy lifting should wait until cleared by your surgeon. A compression bandage is typically worn as directed to control swelling and support deeper structures. Most people resume normal activities and return to work within ten to fourteen days, once bruising fades and comfort returns. Numbness along the incision line is common and improves as the nerves settle. Sun avoidance and daily sunscreen are essential to protect healing skin and minimize visible scarring.
Incision care is simple and guided by your team.
Gentle cleansing, prescribed ointments, and later transition to silicone scar care help incisions mature into fine, easily concealed lines. Avoiding nicotine, alcohol excess, and unnecessary blood thinners supports clean healing. Patients are advised to limit wide neck rotation early on and to follow a gradual return to exercise. Ongoing skin health maintenance using topical antioxidants, sunscreen, and physician-grade skincare helps maintain results. Studio Essex, the medspa within Heights Plastic Surgery, offers complementary options such as targeted radiofrequency tightening, neuromodulators for platysma bands when appropriate, and pigment care for sun damage, all of which can extend the longevity of a surgical result.
Neck lift cost in Houston varies based on the complexity of the neck lift surgery, anesthesia requirements, and whether additional procedures are performed for more comprehensive rejuvenation.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, typical fees range from $5,000 to $12,000 and include the surgeon’s fee, facility charges, anesthesia, and follow-up care. During your neck lift consultation, your surgeon will provide a precise quote based on your plan and discuss financing options for patients seeking flexible payment arrangements. Clear pricing and a detailed plan help you understand every step—from the neck lift procedure through neck lift recovery—so there are no surprises.
If you're interested in a neck lift, you'll first meet with a physician for a one-on-one consultation. We take the time to get to know you—your goals, medical history, skin type and tone, face shape, severity of sagging, and more.
When it comes to your neck lift Houston plastic surgeons Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks collaborate on every patient case to best advise you on the best approach for rejuvenating your jawline and neck. We build a highly personalized treatment plan that may include a combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures to achieve the best possible results.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, our mission is to give you all of the information you need to decide what will work best for your desires, timeline, and budget. After we make recommendations, we give you the space and time to make your own decision about your neck lift surgery.
We will schedule your neck lift—an outpatient procedure performed in our private, on-site surgery center—for a day and time that works best for you. You'll want to factor in about 1 to 2 weeks of downtime from everyday activities and work after your procedure.
We will provide you with all the ways you can best prepare for the procedure well in advance of your neck lift . When you arrive, we will escort you to our state-of-the-art surgical suite, review our process in detail once more, and administer local anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
Your highly skilled Houston Neck Lift surgeon will be in the operating room from start to finish, executing every detail of your agreed-upon surgical plan. Make sure you have a plan for getting home after your procedure, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
Following your neck lift Houston plastic surgeons at Heights Plastic Surgery will also book you for follow-up visits to meet with your surgeon to monitor the area. This important step ensures you are healing properly, safely, and efficiently.
Heights Plastic Surgery, led by board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks, is proud to offer state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures to residents of Houston and beyond. Our ultimate goal is to offer you a welcoming environment, a phenomenal patient experience, and cutting-edge technology that you won’t find anywhere else in Texas.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, we elevate your experience by bringing highly focused specialists together under one roof. Your aesthetic goals are guided by a team of board-certified plastic surgeons who have collectively published over 60 peer-reviewed medical papers and lectured around the world.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Cara Downey (who has been featured in Vogue) blends deep clinical knowledge with a vital female perspective to deliver elegant, beautifully natural-looking outcomes. Dr. Jamal Bullocks is a board-certified plastic surgeon and reconstructive surgery expert who pairs extensive research with international leadership, bringing absolute precision to every procedure. Dr. Megan Swonke is a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon and an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, whose unique background allows her to focus deeply on balance and harmony for the face and neck.
Our private, in-house surgery center offers the highest levels of safety, comfort, and privacy, and our comprehensive skin and wellness care ensures your aesthetic journey is entirely seamless. When you choose Heights Plastic Surgery, you are giving yourself the highest caliber of collaborative care from trusted experts who elevate beauty and empower confidence.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, good candidates for a neck lift experience the following concerns:
Ideal candidates for a neck lift are in good general health and have realistic expectations of their potential results. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for a neck lift is to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks.
At Heights Plastic Surgery in Houston neck lift procedures range from $5,000 to $12,000. Our team will be sure to review all of the costs associated with the procedure well in advance of your surgery. We also offer a financing option for patients who would prefer to take an alternative payment route!
Oftentimes, a neck lift alone is not enough to produce natural results. However, there are certain exceptions where patients do not need any complementary procedures to achieve their aesthetic goals. This is why a personalized consultation and strong communication with your plastic surgeon is so essential—a neck lift will only be as successful as your relationship with your provider.
Without taking the time to put together a comprehensive understanding of how a patient arrived to their current concerns—whether that be weight loss, lifestyle factors, or present or previous medical conditions—a neck lift surgeon may only delay the need for additional procedures down the road. Heights Plastic Surgery creates an open, nonjudgemental environment to discuss all of these factors with your provider to help build the most successful, long-lasting treatment plan.
Afterwards, Studio Essex—the medical spa within Heights Plastic Surgery—offers supplemental treatments that can help further enhance and prolong the results of your neck lift in Houston. We have a variety of technologies and techniques, from injectables like Botox & Filler, to laser skin tightening, to help your neck lift results last as long as possible.
Patients often experience mild swelling and bruising for the first seven to 10 days following their short-scar facelift procedure. During this time, we will fit you with a compression garment to help reduce swelling and promote your healing process. Houston Neck Lift Plastic Surgeons Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks may also provide you with prescription medication that can help manage your pain. Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks and their team will ask that you keep your head elevated when lying down for the first two weeks following your surgery. Patients can typically return to work and regular daily activities about one to two weeks following their procedure.
It’s important that you avoid direct sunlight and the use of heavy makeup for three to four weeks following your neck lift. After about a month, you may start to take full-body showers again. Although already minimal, any scars will reduce to thin, easily hidden white lines after about six weeks, at which time you may resume more vigorous physical activities and workout routines. While you will be able to see some results of your neck lift immediately following surgery, ultimate results will appear once all incisions have healed and the swelling subsides. This usually occurs roughly three to four months later.
Heights Plastic Surgery often performs corrective treatments for patients who were not happy with results from past procedures. For patients who have previous experience with plastic surgery, we set ourselves apart by our unparalleled level of patient education and personalized preparation well before any procedures take place.
Heights Plastic Surgery Membership Plans
When skin maintenance and aesthetics-inspired wellness protocols become part of your regular routine, your body stays nourished, collagen production stays active, and you feel refreshed, day in and day out. Our Heights Plastic Surgery membership offerings remove the guesswork of your next visit, making it easy to stay true to your plan while enjoying preferred pricing on treatments.
The Diamond Club membership includes one clinical treatment each month (such as a Hydrafacial, chemical peel, or IPL photofacial), plus an exclusive 10% discount on surgical cases and additional medical spa services.
The Essex Society membership provides a personalized approach to longevity, offering comprehensive baseline lab panels, monthly body composition tracking, complimentary wellness injections, and tiered savings on peptide regimens and medspa treatments.
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