A neck lift (platysmaplasty / lower rhytidectomy) tightens the loose skin, muscle bands and fat that blur the line between the jaw and the neck — the change people often call a “turkey neck” or a lost jawline. The surgery we arrange in Istanbul aims for a clean, defined jawline that still looks like yours, not an over-tightened result.
At the accredited partner hospitals we work with, neck lifts are carried out by board-certified plastic surgeons, frequently alongside a facelift because the lower face and neck age together.
What a neck lift treats
The ageing neck shows three changes, often at once: loose skin that hangs or creases, vertical bands caused by the platysma muscle separating, and excess fat beneath the chin and jaw. A neck lift can address all three — tightening the muscle, removing or repositioning fat, and re-draping the skin.
It does not change the lower face or jowls; that is the work of a facelift, which is why the two are so commonly combined.
Neck lift, liposuction or a facelift — choosing honestly
| Your concern | The procedure that fits |
|---|---|
| Loose skin and muscle bands | Neck lift (platysmaplasty) |
| Fat under the chin, good skin elasticity | Neck liposuction alone — less invasive |
| Jowls and lower-face sagging too | Facelift, usually with a neck lift |
If your neck fullness is mostly fat and your skin still bounces back, you may only need liposuction of the neck, which is simpler and cheaper than a full neck lift. A responsible surgeon will say so — and we will pass that on rather than steer you to the larger operation.
Who is a good candidate
A neck lift suits you if you have loose neck skin, visible bands or a soft jawline and are in good general health. Skin with reasonable elasticity gives the cleanest result. It may not be right if your only issue is fat with firm skin (liposuction may suffice) or if the rest of the face also needs lifting (in which case a combined procedure is planned).
The procedure, step by step
- Consultation and planning. The neck is assessed, the approach chosen, and a written plan and consent agreed.
- Anaesthesia. Performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation in an accredited hospital with full anaesthetic cover.
- Incisions. Discreet incisions behind the ears, and often a small one under the chin to reach the muscle.
- Tightening. The platysma muscle bands are repaired, excess fat removed or sculpted, and loose skin re-draped and trimmed.
- Closure. Fine sutures close the incisions and a supportive garment is fitted. The operation usually takes 2–4 hours.
Recovery timeline
- Week 1: Swelling and bruising peak then ease; a supportive garment is worn. Sutures are removed around day 7–10.
- Weeks 2–3: Most bruising resolves and many patients feel presentable.
- Months 1–3: Residual swelling fades and the jawline definition emerges.
- Months 3–6: The final contour settles and scars continue to fade.
Risks and side effects
A neck lift carries the usual surgical risks — bleeding, infection, temporary numbness, and rarely a temporary nerve-branch weakness or visible scarring. Operating with a board-certified surgeon in an accredited hospital is the biggest factor in keeping these low, which is the standard we hold our partners to. The ISAPS and BAAPS publish independent patient guidance worth reading first.
Cost of a neck lift in Turkey
A neck lift in Istanbul starts at an indicative €3,000 on its own, and costs less per area when combined with a facelift in one operation. As with all surgery, the figure is a starting range rather than a fixed quote; your firm price follows a surgeon’s review of your case. Compare indicative all-inclusive prices across every procedure in the plastic surgery cost guide.
Why Alpha Clinic
Alpha Clinic Turkey has coordinated aesthetic care in Istanbul since 2012, matching patients to board-certified partner surgeons in accredited hospitals, with a written plan you approve and structured aftercare. Send photos through the free consultation for an honest assessment, compare a facelift or eyelid surgery, or see the full range on the plastic surgery hub.