Neck Lift in Murrieta
Murrieta Facial Plastic Surgery offers neck lift surgery for loose neck skin, with consultations in Murrieta for patients from the greater Temecula area. The "Incisionless" Neck Lift is Dr. Banthia's approach to the neck and jawline. Nothing is cut on the face. Two small incisions sit at the ear creases, with a third under the chin when the platysma muscle or submental fat needs direct access. Through those, the platysma is tightened, fullness under the chin is reduced, and a defined line along the jaw can be restored. Most cases are performed under local anesthesia in under an hour.
At a Glance
- Approximately 22,592 neck lift procedures were performed in the United States in 2024 according to ASPS procedural statistics[3]
- A neck lift can address excess skin, fat deposits, and platysmal muscle banding in the neck and jawline area[1]
- Performed under local anesthesia in most cases, on an outpatient basis, with many patients back at work in three to five days
- Results from a neck lift are generally long-lasting and may persist for 7 to 10 years or more with proper care[6]
Overview
A conventional neck lift is approached in part from in front of the ear, placing an incision on the face. Dr. Banthia works from behind the ear instead. Two small incisions sit at the ear creases, tucked into folds usually covered by the ear and hairline. A third incision is placed under the chin when the platysma muscle needs direct access. That placement is the reason for the name. The operation does involve incisions, but none is on the face.
The operation addresses loose skin below the chin, fullness from submental fat, and the vertical cords that appear as the platysma muscle separates with age. Tightening the muscle and reducing the fat beneath it re-establishes the angle between the chin and neck. The skin follows the structure underneath, and the change reads as a firmer jawline rather than skin pulled tight.
Because the approach is limited, most cases are performed under local anesthesia and finish in under an hour, without general anesthesia or an overnight stay. Many patients return to work in three to five days. A neck requiring platysma work through the incision under the chin follows a slightly longer recovery, so Dr. Banthia gives an individual estimate after examining the neck.
Patients in their thirties through their early fifties are often the clearest fit when the neck has begun to lose definition but the cheek and midface still hold position. When the face has descended more broadly, the jowl and neck are usually addressed together, and a facelift enters the discussion at the consultation.
What to expect
- A consultation with Dr. Banthia to examine the neck and jawline, establish which of skin, muscle and fat is driving the change, review medical history, and agree the scope of the operation.
- Preoperative preparation, including stopping blood-thinning medication on the schedule given, stopping nicotine in every form for at least two to four weeks beforehand, and arranging a ride home.
- Administration of local anesthesia, sufficient for most cases of this operation. If the plan is broader, or a patient prefers to be asleep, sedation or general anesthesia is arranged and discussed in advance.
- Placement of the incisions: two at the creases behind the ears, and one beneath the chin when platysma or submental fat is addressed directly.
- Removal or redistribution of submental fat, by direct excision or liposuction, reducing fullness under the chin and along the neck.
- Tightening of the platysma muscle, by bringing separated midline edges together, by suspending the muscle laterally, or by both, to correct banding and restore a defined neck angle.
- Conservative trimming and redraping of loose skin over the tightened structure, followed by closure of the incisions with sutures.
- Application of a light dressing or chin strap to limit swelling and support tissues through early healing. Most cases finish in under an hour.
- Discharge the same day with written aftercare instructions covering wound care, activity, medication, and what to call about.
- Follow-up for suture removal, generally within five to ten days, and again over following weeks as swelling settles and contour resolves.
How a neck lift works
- Access is through two small incisions at the creases behind the ears, following the fold between the ear and scalp where a healed scar is least likely to be noticed. When the platysma has separated at the midline or submental fat requires direct removal, a short incision is added beneath the chin, in the shadow under the jaw.
- Fat beneath the chin is removed or redistributed through these openings by direct excision or liposuction. This reduces fullness in the area between the chin and neck.
- The platysma muscle is then tightened. Separated edges at the midline are brought together and sutured. Laxity extending laterally is corrected by suspending the muscle toward the mastoid. Both methods may be used when the neck requires them. This step corrects visible banding and sets the angle of the jaw.
- Loose skin is redraped over the tightened structure and trimmed conservatively. The incisions are then closed, and a light dressing supports the neck through the first day of healing.
- Skin, platysma muscle, and submental fat contribute to a lost jawline in different proportions. The operation is scaled to the anatomy that dominates. A neck with good skin quality and an isolated fat pad requires less than one with muscle banding and laxity extending to the jaw. Dr. Banthia determines those proportions by examination and names the components he intends to address before a surgical date is set.
- When the jowl and neck have descended together, a neck lift and facelift can be performed through overlapping incisions in one sitting. Combining them places both procedures under one anesthetic and one recovery, which is the usual reason they are done together.
When it's recommended
- Excess or sagging skin on the neck creating a "turkey neck" appearance
- Visible platysmal bands (vertical muscle cords) on the front of the neck
- Excess fat deposits beneath the chin (submental fullness or double chin)
- Loss of jawline definition due to jowling or skin laxity
- Skin laxity of the neck due to aging, weight loss, or genetic predisposition
- Dissatisfaction with neck appearance despite non-surgical treatments
Is a neck lift right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Vishal Banthia.
Recovery & aftercare
- A light dressing or chin strap is typically worn for the first few days to limit swelling and support the neck
- Many patients are back at work within three to five days, depending on how much of the operation the individual neck needs
- Sutures are generally removed within five to ten days after surgery
- Bruising and swelling are common in the first weeks and typically settle within two to three weeks
- Strenuous activity and heavy lifting are avoided for three to four weeks
- Numbness or tightness through the neck may persist for several weeks to months and typically resolves gradually
- Final contour becomes visible as the last of the swelling subsides, which can take up to three months
- Scars at the ear creases and under the chin continue to mature and fade over six to twelve months
Alternatives
- Non-surgical skin tightening treatments such as radiofrequency or ultrasound therapy
- Injectable treatments such as Kybella (deoxycholic acid) for submental fat reduction
- Thread lift procedures for mild skin laxity
- Liposuction alone for people with good skin elasticity and isolated fat deposits
- Botox injections into the platysma for mild banding (Nefertiti lift)
Frequently Asked Questions
- A neck lift is a surgical procedure that improves the neck by removing excess skin, tightening the underlying platysma muscle, and reducing fat deposits. It is also called a lower rhytidectomy or platysmaplasty. It can address sagging skin, visible muscle bands, and excess fullness beneath the chin.
- The operation is performed under anesthesia, so there is typically no pain during surgery. Mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, and swelling are common afterward and can generally be managed with prescribed medication. Most patients describe recovery as more uncomfortable than painful, with symptoms improving significantly during the first two weeks.
- A neck lift is generally considered safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon with experience in the procedure. As with any surgery, it carries potential complications, which are listed in the risks section on this page.
- Many patients return to work in three to five days. This is shorter than recovery from a conventional neck lift because the approach is limited and most cases are performed under local anesthesia. Bruising and swelling usually settle within two to three weeks, while strenuous activity waits three to four weeks. The final contour appears as the remaining swelling subsides, which can take up to three months. Scars continue to fade for six to twelve months. Dr. Banthia gives a recovery estimate for the individual neck at the consultation.
- Neck lift results are generally long-lasting and typically persist for 7 to 10 years or more. Natural aging continues after surgery. Maintaining a stable weight, protecting the skin from sun damage, and not smoking can help prolong the result. A revision procedure may be considered later if desired.
- Patients in their thirties through their early fifties are often the clearest fit when the neck has begun to lose definition while the cheek and midface still hold position. Other criteria include general health that supports elective surgery, no nicotine use in any form, and expectations matched to what the operation can address. At the consultation, Dr. Banthia determines whether a neck lift alone can produce the change a patient is describing or whether the jawline above it also needs to be addressed.
- Current smokers and people using nicotine products may not be good candidates because nicotine significantly impairs wound healing and increases the risk of complications. Surgery may also need to be deferred for uncontrolled conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, an active infection, or a bleeding disorder. A medical evaluation is part of the consultation.
- The name refers to the face. Dr. Banthia does not make the incision in front of the ear that a conventional neck lift usually places on the face. Instead, the small incisions sit in the creases at the ears, with another beneath the chin when needed. The ear, hairline, and shadow beneath the jaw usually cover these locations once they have healed. Scar appearance still varies from one patient to another, and Dr. Banthia addresses that at the consultation.
- Yes. For a younger neck with a clean jawline above it, that is often the right scope. A neck lift defines the jawline from below, while the cheek and midface are facelift territory. If those areas have descended as well, treating the neck alone can sharpen the contrast between them. Dr. Banthia raises that limitation at the consultation, and some patients still choose the narrower operation with a clear understanding of what it will and will not address.
- Deoxycholic acid injections dissolve submental fat and are a real treatment. Dr. Banthia does not offer them because his menu is surgical and includes no cosmetic injectables. The injections do not address loose skin or platysmal banding, so they suit a narrow group with good skin, isolated fat, and no banding. Dr. Banthia will identify when a patient fits that description, even when it means discussing a treatment he does not perform.
Neck Lift risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active infection at the planned surgical site
- Uncontrolled bleeding disorders or coagulopathy
- Current tobacco or nicotine use (significantly impairs wound healing and increases risk of skin flap necrosis)
- Unrealistic expectations about surgical outcomes
- Significant medical conditions that increase surgical risk, such as uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes
- Recent use of blood-thinning medications without appropriate discontinuation
Possible risks
- Hematoma (collection of blood beneath the skin), the most common surgical complication
- Infection at the incision sites
- Temporary or, rarely, permanent nerve injury affecting sensation or motor function
- Skin irregularities, dimpling, or asymmetry
- Scarring, which varies by individual healing response and incision placement
- Skin flap necrosis, particularly in patients who smoke
- Seroma (collection of fluid beneath the skin)
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Hair loss at or near the incision sites
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result requiring revision surgery
Your practitioner
Dr. Vishal Banthia, MD, FACS
Dr. Vishal Banthia is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon practicing in Murrieta and Carlsbad, California. He is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His practice is surgical and face-only: facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty. He lectures internationally, has published peer-reviewed research indexed in the National Library of Medicine, and received the American Academy of Otolaryngology's Humanitarian Travel Award for cleft lip and palate surgery in Honduras.
Sources & references
This article draws on 7 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Vishal Banthia, MD, FACS · Last reviewed: 2026-09-22