Neck lift surgery in Palm Beach corrects sagging skin, weakened platysma muscles, and excess fat under the jaw and chin. As the neck ages, the platysma muscles loosen, and skin loses elasticity, causing banding, jowls, and a heavy, droopy appearance across the front and sides of the neck. A neck lift restores a defined jawline and a smoother contour, usually in a single outpatient procedure.
The muscles of the neck are tightened and lifted through a platysmaplasty procedure, in which the loose or banded muscles are released and re-secured to achieve a firmer contour. Many patients also benefit from neck liposuction in West Palm Beach to sculpt the profile and remove stubborn fat.
Excess neck fat sits in either the pre-platysma or sub-platysma fat pad, and reducing these deposits during surgery restores natural contours to the neckline. Board-certified facial plastic and oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Joel Kopelman is a fellowship-trained platysmaplasty surgeon serving patients across Palm Beach County.
These necklift before-and-after photos represent actual patients treated at our Palm Beach practice. They will help you set realistic goals for your own surgical outcome. Click on a patient to learn more about their neck lift results.
“I love my neck and jawline thanks to this practice. The investment in myself was worth it. I had been so unhappy with my saggy neck and double chin for years, but now I have confidence in my appearance again. I am so glad I found this surgeon online.”
~ Rebecca H. ~
Our approach to a necklift in Palm Beach County involves tightening the deeper tissues beneath the platysma muscle, an advanced technique often described as a deep neck lift in West Palm Beach. By addressing the muscles on the side and center of the neck, the surgeon restores a natural, youthful position without pulling the skin tight or creating a windswept look. Two small incisions, one below the chin and the other behind the ear, keep scars discreet and easy to conceal.
This deep-plane approach produces longer-lasting results than a skin-only lift, which is why patients from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Delray Beach, Vero Beach, Port Saint Lucie, and Fort Lauderdale travel to our Palm Beach location. Whether your primary concern is a heavy jawline, banded platysma bands, or submental fat, the technique selection, incision approach, and recovery timeline are determined by your anatomy at consultation.
Ideal Necklift Candidate
Necklift Benefits
Necklift Techniques
Sometimes the neck ages faster than the rest of the face. In these cases, an isolated neck lift addresses the concern without the broader dissection of a full facelift.
Not every patient is ready for open surgery, and not every patient needs it. For mild to moderate skin laxity, minimally invasive alternatives can produce a meaningful improvement with less downtime, and we review these options carefully during your consultation.
MyEllevate is a suture-suspension procedure that lifts the underlying neck muscles and glands through small percutaneous entry points instead of open incisions. It is usually performed under local anesthesia and works well for patients with early aging, mild skin laxity, or pronounced neck bands who want a subtle refresh without a full neck lift.
NeckTite is a radiofrequency-assisted contouring technology that tightens skin from beneath the surface while also reducing stubborn fat. Because the energy is delivered internally through a small cannula, patients benefit from skin retraction that liposuction alone cannot deliver. NeckTite is a strong option for patients with moderate laxity who want to avoid open surgery.
Patients go home the same day as their necklift procedure. Whether your neck lift included platysmaplasty or liposuction, expect mild discomfort, some swelling, and bruising for roughly two weeks. After your surgery, a compressive elastic strap is placed around your neck to reduce swelling and speed recovery.
Follow-up appointments begin the morning after surgery, and the surgical team is available by phone throughout your healing period. Final results emerge within two to three months, once residual swelling resolves and tissues settle into place. Throughout recovery, you receive clear guidance to protect your results and maximize the benefits of your neck lift.
The cost of a neck lift in Palm Beach depends on the technique used, the complexity of your anatomy, anesthesia and facility fees, and whether the procedure is combined with a facelift, eyelid surgery, or other complementary treatments. A neck lift with our practice typically ranges from $40,000 to $50,000 all-in, reflecting the advanced deep-plane technique, surgical time, and personalized approach that produce natural, long-lasting results.
Minimally invasive options such as MyEllevate and NeckTite are generally available at lower price points and can be a good fit for patients with earlier signs of neck aging. At your consultation, you will receive a precise, personalized quote built around your surgical plan. Financing options are available for qualified patients who prefer to spread the investment across manageable monthly payments.
Your consultation includes a review of your medical history along with any prescription and non-prescription medications you take. Blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and Vitamin E must be stopped at least two weeks before surgery to reduce bleeding, bruising, and swelling. If you smoke, you must refrain from smoking for at least two weeks before surgery, since nicotine compromises healing and increases the risk of visible scarring.
A neck lift is usually performed under local anesthesia with intravenous “twilight” sedation, and the procedure takes approximately three hours. The goal is to elevate and tighten sagging soft tissue through short, hidden incisions. Fat below the chin and neck is re-contoured, the underlying muscle is repositioned and tightened, and excess skin is trimmed behind the ear.
The incisions are placed within the natural creases below the chin and behind the ears, so they become inconspicuous as they heal over the following months.
Following the procedure, a gauze dressing is placed under the chin and behind the ears and is removed the next day. A drain inserted during surgery is typically removed within 24 to 48 hours. Most patients experience little or no discomfort, and any minor pain is easily controlled with over-the-counter medication. You will be examined by the surgeon and nursing staff the morning after your neck lift.
Sutures are removed within five to seven days, and most patients return to work about 10 to 14 days after surgery. Normal exercise resumes at approximately two weeks. Scars sit in the natural creases of the face and ears, and over time they fade to become barely visible. To help you achieve the best possible outcome, you will be examined at regularly scheduled intervals throughout your healing.
For patients whose main concerns are loose neck skin, banded muscles, and jowl fat, a full facelift is not always necessary. When mid-facial volume loss and upper-face sagging are minimal, an isolated neck lift, performed through shorter incisions, restores a smooth contour without the more extensive dissection of a traditional facelift.
A full facelift, including a deep-plane facelift in West Palm Beach, is the ideal treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe jowls, extensive muscle and skin laxity, and mid-facial volume loss. A deep plane facelift releases key retaining ligaments so tissues are repositioned rather than pulled, producing natural, long-lasting results. Patients who specifically ask about a facelift in West Palm Beach usually have an aging pattern that extends beyond the neck, and during your consultation, you will learn which approach best fits your anatomy and goals.
Yes. Depending on your cosmetic goals, the surgeon may recommend complementary procedures such as cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), fat grafting, endoscopic brow lifts, and laser skin rejuvenation, including IPL treatments, to enhance your overall facial appearance.
Dr. Kopelman will review your medical history as well as the prescription and non-prescription medications you may be taking. You must stop all blood thinners (such as aspirin, Motrin, fish oil and Vitamin E) at least two weeks prior to surgery to minimize the potential for bleeding, post-operative bruising and swelling.In addition, if you smoke you must refrain from smoking for two weeks prior to surgery because it may compromise your ability to heal and increase the chances that you will develop scars.
A neck lift is usually performed under local anesthesia with intravenous “twilight’”sedation. The procedure takes approximately three hours. The goal of a neck lift is to elevate and tighten sagging soft tissue through short incisions. Fat below your chin and neck will be re-contoured, underlying sagging muscle will be repositioned and tightened and excess skin will be trimmed behind your ear. The incisions will be hidden within your natural creases below your chin and behind your ears so that over several months these incisions will become inconspicuous.
Following the neck lift procedure, a gauze dressing will be applied under your chin and behind your ears. These dressings will be removed the next day. A drain that was inserted during the procedure will be removed in most cases within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Most patients typically experience little or no discomfort, but if there is any, it is easily controlled with over-the-counter pain medication. You will be examined by Dr. Kopelman and his nursing staff the next morning. Sutures will be removed in 5 to 7 days following the neck lift surgery. You can resume your daily activities within one week and your exercise routine within two weeks.Incisional scars will be hidden in the natural creases of your face and ears and in time they will be barely visible. To ensure that you have the best possible results Dr. Kopelman will examine you at regularly scheduled intervals to monitor your progress. Most patients return to work about 10 to 14 days after the neck lift surgery.
Sometimes it is not necessary to have a more extensive “full” facelift because most of your facial cosmetic concerns revolve around loose neck skin, sagging neck muscles and bulging fat. Many patients do not show a significant loss of mid-facial fullness or the descent of upper facial soft tissue. Therefore, a more limited procedure, a limited neck lift, is a good alternative to having a traditional full facelift. Neck lifts can be performed with shorter incisions which can restore smooth contours to your neck. On the other hand, a “full” facelift , a more extensive procedure, is the ideal treatment option for patients with moderate to severe signs of aging including jowls,extensive muscle and skin laxity, and mid-facial volume loss. At the time of your initial consultation Dr. Kopelman will review your unique characteristics and concerns. You will have an opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations and ask any relevant questions you may have. Dr. Kopelman will determine if you are an ideal candidate for an isolated neck lift or for a traditional facelift.
Yes, depending upon your cosmetic concerns, Dr. Kopelman may recommend other complimentary cosmetic procedures such as cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), fat grafting, endoscopic brow lifts, and laser skin rejuvenation to enhance the overall appearance of your face.
Dr. Joel E. Kopelman is both a facial plastic and oculoplastic surgeon with over 35 years of experience in cosmetic rejuvenation of the face, neck, and eyes. Renowned for his innovative techniques and meticulous approach, Dr. Kopelman has built a reputation as a trusted expert among patients seeking transformative results that are both beautiful and natural.
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Kopelman, please call the office or request an appointment online.
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