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Neck lift (platysmaplasty) · Istanbul & Izmir, Turkey
Neck lift in Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey, with platysmaplasty and submental liposuction
A neck lift tightens the platysma muscle bands and loose skin under the chin and jawline — something diet, exercise and skincare cannot reverse once that muscle has separated with age. JFS Clinic plans your neck lift in Istanbul or Izmir, Turkey; your surgeon confirms your technique and your personal quote after reviewing your photos.
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Key facts
Neck lift in Turkey at a glance
Your quote and your dates
Neck lift Turkey cost and available dates
Because the mix of fat and loosened muscle is different for every neck, your neck lift is quoted individually rather than sold as a fixed package. Send two photos — front and under the chin — and your coordinator comes back with your personal quote and the dates your surgeon has free, usually within a few days of your message.
Am I a candidate?
Who is a good candidate for a neck lift?
Diet and exercise can reduce fat under the chin, but neither one can shorten a muscle that has already stretched and separated — a change most people simply call "turkey neck". A neck lift is the treatment that corrects the muscle layer directly, not just the skin on top of it.
Platysma bands, why exercise cannot tighten them
The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle that runs from the collarbone up over the jaw, and in youth it sits flat and close to the neck. With age, sun exposure or weight change, the two edges of this muscle can pull apart down the midline, leaving two vertical bands that show most clearly when you tense your neck or look down. Neck exercises can strengthen the muscle that remains, but they cannot pull two separated edges back together — only surgery closes that gap. Loose skin behaves the same way: once the elastin fibres that once held it taut have thinned, no cream or device makes them spring back.
Signs a neck lift may suit you
- Visible vertical bands down the centre of your neck, especially when you tense your jaw or look down.
- Loose or crepey skin under the chin and along the jawline that a scarf or collar is starting to hide.
- A soft pocket of fat under the chin that stays even once your weight has settled.
- Facial skin elsewhere is still reasonably firm, so the neck — not the whole face — is the main concern.
- You are in good general health and a non-smoker, or able to stop well before and after surgery, since smoking slows healing.
| Submental liposuction alone | Full neck lift (platysmaplasty) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it treats | Fat under the chin only | Fat, separated muscle bands and, often, loose skin |
| Incisions | One small entry point under the chin | Under the chin, sometimes extended behind each ear |
| Time in surgery | Under an hour | Around 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Typical candidate | Young, elastic skin, fat is the only concern | Visible platysma bands, looser skin, or both |
What to discuss at your neck lift consultation
- Whether submental liposuction alone or a full platysmaplasty fits what your neck actually shows.
- Whether your neck lift should be combined with a facelift or eyelid surgery in the same operation.
- How much, if any, loose skin needs to be removed, and whether a scar behind the ear will be needed.
- Non-surgical options you may have already tried, such as a Nefertiti lift, and why they fall short for muscle bands.
- Your full medical history, including any previous facial or neck surgery.
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis. Your surgeon has the final say once they've seen your photos and your health history.
Not every neck lift is the same
Types of neck lift, submental liposuction, platysmaplasty and skin excision
"Neck lift" covers more than one operation. Your surgeon picks the technique based on how much fat sits under the chin, how far the platysma bands have separated and how much skin has lost its elasticity — not simply what the search term says.
- 1Small incision under the chin
- 2Submental fat suctioned
- 3Platysma bands stitched together
- 4Skin redraped and tightened
How a neck lift is done
| Technique | Best for | Incision | Muscle work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submental liposuction | Fat under the chin, with elastic skin and no visible banding | One small entry point under the chin | None |
| PlatysmaplastyMost common | Visible vertical bands, with or without extra fat | Under the chin | Full — bands are stitched together at the midline |
| Neck lift with skin excision | Noticeably loose or crepey skin alongside separated muscle | Under the chin, extended behind each ear | Full, plus the excess skin is trimmed and redraped |
| Neck lift with facelift | Jawline jowling and sagging cheeks together with the neck | Neck incision plus the facelift incision around the ears | Platysma repair done as part of the combined lift |
| Non-surgical (Nefertiti lift) | Mild banding only, wanting a temporary change without surgery | None — injections along the jawline | Relaxes the muscle pull rather than repairing the bands |
How far the incision extends and whether skin is removed always depend on your own bands and skin — your surgeon confirms the plan with you before surgery.
Submental liposuction vs platysmaplasty, how your surgeon decides
The choice is not about which name sounds more thorough, it is about what your surgeon finds when they ask you to tense your neck at the consultation. If the skin lifts smoothly and the midline stays flat, fat alone is usually the issue and liposuction can finish the job through a single small entry point. If two cords appear down the centre of your neck as soon as you tense, the platysma muscle itself has separated, and no amount of fat removal on its own will close that gap — the muscle has to be stitched back together.
Skin is checked separately from the muscle. Pinching the skin under the chin shows how much "bounce back" is left — skin that springs back quickly can usually be redraped without removing any, while skin that stays stretched after a pinch often needs a small amount trimmed, which is when the incision extends behind the ears rather than staying hidden under the chin alone.
A neck lift is also frequently planned alongside a facelift rather than on its own, especially once jowling along the jawline and sagging in the cheeks are part of the same picture. Your surgeon decides whether to combine the two based on your anatomy, your overall health and how long the combined operation would safely run in one sitting.
Our promise to you
Our aim is that you see a softer, firmer jawline and feel like yourself again, not like someone else. Your surgeon explains honestly what is realistic for your skin, and your coordinator looks after you from the first message to the last check-up.
How soon
How soon can you have a neck lift in Turkey?
Most JFS patients are in Istanbul or Izmir for their neck lift within about a week of their first message. There's no waiting list — you choose dates that suit you.
- 1
Send two photos
Message us on WhatsApp or use the form, with two photos — one relaxed, one with your neck tensed — plus a few lines about your health, medication and any previous facial surgery.
- 2
Get your personal quote
Your surgeon reviews your photos personally. You get back a suggested technique, your personal quote and the dates available, at no charge.
- 3
Choose your dates
You book your flights. We arrange the hospital, the hotel and every transfer, then send a short checklist of what to pause and what to pack before you travel.
- 4
Fly to Istanbul or Izmir
Your 5 days in Turkey begin. Blood tests and your face-to-face consultation happen first, before anything else is confirmed.
What can delay your neck lift date
Being free to travel within a week doesn't mean every date is right for your body. A handful of factors decide your safest date, and your surgeon checks each one before the operation goes ahead. If your blood tests or the Day 2 consultation suggest waiting would be safer, the date moves — your safety always comes first.
| Factor | Why it matters | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking or nicotine | Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows healing around the incision | You are asked to stop for several weeks before and after surgery |
| Blood thinners and some supplements | They can increase bleeding during and after surgery | Your surgeon tells you what to pause and when. Never stop prescribed medication without your own doctor's advice |
| A recent filler or Botox treatment nearby | Recent injections can make the surgical anatomy harder to judge accurately | Your surgeon may ask you to wait a few weeks for it to settle first |
| Weight still changing | A significant weight shift afterwards can loosen the repaired skin again | Surgery is planned once your weight has been stable for a while |
| A cold, flu or skin infection near the area | Operating through inflamed or infected skin raises the risk of complications | Surgery is postponed until you have fully recovered |
If you live in the UK, the NHS almost never covers a neck lift, since it's treated as a cosmetic procedure, so most people weigh up private clinics at home and overseas instead. Wherever you book, three questions are worth asking first: how quickly you can be seen, what happens if a test result pushes your date back, and who's available to help once you're back home.
Your 5 days in Turkey
How long to stay in Turkey for a neck lift?
Your coordinator is with you from the moment you land. Transfers between the airport, hotel and clinic are included.
- Day
1Arrival
We collect you from the airport and take you straight to your hotel. Evening call with your coordinator to confirm your plan and answer any last questions before tomorrow's tests.
TransferHotel - Day
2Consultation & tests
Blood tests, then you mark the plan with your surgeon — technique, incision line and whether a facelift is being added. This is also when the extent of any skin removal is confirmed.
TestsConsultation - Day
3Surgery
Your neck lift takes place under local sedation or general anaesthesia, typically around 1.5 to 2.5 hours. You stay in hospital under nursing care for the nights set out in your quote.
SurgeryHospital - Day
4Back to the hotel
You wear your chin strap or compression garment and take your first short walks with help. Your coordinator shows you how to manage swelling and any dressings.
RestWalking - Day
5Check-up & fly home
Dressing and healing check at the clinic, including a look for swelling or bleeding under the skin, before you are cleared to travel. Final instructions, your aftercare kit and advice for the flight — aisle seat, keep your head elevated, garment on.
Check-upTransfer
Neck lift recovery in Istanbul or Izmir, hospital and hotel
Your coordinator books your hotel in the city where you have surgery — Istanbul or Izmir — and confirms the transfers in your written plan. They stay close by for your one quieter day of rest before your Day 5 check-up and flight home.
Patient videos
JFS Clinic Turkey reviews in patients' own words
Quote & what's included
Neck lift Turkey quote and what it includes
- Hospital stay after surgery (nights set out in your quote)
- Hotel stay during recovery (nights set out in your quote)
- All transfers — airport, hotel, clinic
- Personal coordinator who speaks your language
- Check-ups and aftercare (aftercare items listed in your quote)
What changes your quote: whether submental liposuction alone or a full platysmaplasty is needed, how much loose skin has to be trimmed, and whether the procedure is combined with a facelift in the same operation. A liposuction-only neck often costs less than a full platysmaplasty with skin excision; combining it with a facelift typically costs more because of the extra surgical time. Your final quote is confirmed once your surgeon has reviewed your photos and your Day 2 consultation notes. If you are also considering a facelift, see the Facelift & Neck Lift package, which is listed from £4,000 and includes a full neck lift as part of a combined procedure.
The procedure
How a neck lift is done, step by step
From the moment you go to sleep to the moment your chin strap goes on, here is what actually happens during a neck lift with platysmaplasty.
Your neck lift usually takes place under local anaesthesia with sedation for a smaller, liposuction-led procedure, or general anaesthesia when a full platysmaplasty or skin excision is planned. Before you go under, your surgeon marks your neck while you are sitting upright — tracing the muscle bands you were asked to tense at your Day 2 consultation, the exact line under your chin and, if needed, the extension behind each ear.
The procedure begins with a small incision tucked under the chin, in the natural shadow of the jaw so it stays hidden once healed. Through this single opening, your surgeon can reach both the fat layer above the muscle and the platysma muscle itself, which is why most neck lifts need only this one entry point unless loose skin also has to be trimmed from behind the ears.
Inside the repair
Neck lift platysmaplasty in four steps
- 1Submental incision madeA single small opening hidden under the chin.
- 2Fat suctioned from chin and neckGentle suction removes the fat layer above the muscle.
- 3Platysma bands stitched togetherDeep sutures bring the separated muscle back to the midline.
- 4Incision closed, chin strap appliedLayered sutures close the wound, a garment supports the repair.
Neck lift platysmaplasty
Once the entry point is open, your surgeon first works through the fat layer with a thin cannula, drawing out the soft tissue that sits between the skin and the muscle, in the same even, controlled motion used for liposuction elsewhere on the body. With the fat cleared, the platysma muscle itself comes into view — in most patients it has separated into two bands running down from the jaw, and your surgeon stitches these back together along the midline, a step called a corset platysmaplasty because it cinches the muscle inward like lacing.
If loose skin also needs addressing, a second, shorter incision is made behind each ear, and the skin is gently redraped upward and trimmed to the new, tighter muscle shape beneath it — this is the step that, when a facelift is combined in the same operation, blends directly into the cheek and jawline repair. Throughout, an anaesthetist watches your heart rate, oxygen levels and blood pressure, adjusting your anaesthesia if the operation runs longer because skin excision or a combined facelift is involved. A straightforward platysmaplasty without skin excision usually takes around 1.5 hours; adding skin removal or a facelift extends this to closer to 2.5 hours.
Once the muscle repair and any skin trimming are complete, the incisions are closed in layers — deeper sutures take the tension off the skin so the scar heals as thin as possible — and a chin strap or light compression garment is fitted in theatre to support the newly tightened muscle from the moment you wake up. You are then moved to a recovery area where nursing staff watch you wake from the anaesthetic before you go to your hospital room for your one night under observation.
Recovery, day by day
Neck lift recovery time, week by week
Move the slider to any point after surgery. See how most people feel at that stage, what's realistic to do and what to steer clear of.
Recovery from a neck lift happens faster than from surgery that reaches the whole face, since the treated area is smaller and the muscle repair has less distance to settle. The first week is about protecting the stitched muscle bands while swelling and tightness are at their peak. Weeks two to six are about the jawline looking progressively more defined as swelling drops, which is usually when people feel comfortable in photos again. From six weeks onward, the focus shifts from healing to the neck settling into its final, tighter shape.
The chin strap is not just comfort — it holds the repaired muscle still while the deep sutures take hold, which is why it stays on almost all day for the first stretch and only moves to part-time, mostly overnight wear once your surgeon is confident the repair has settled. Bruising is common under the chin and along the jaw and usually fades within two to three weeks, faster than the deeper swelling underneath it.
Typical timeline for a neck lift with platysmaplasty. Your surgeon may give you a different plan, especially if skin excision or a facelift is combined.
| Activity | Week 1 | Week 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Week 6 | Months 3–6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking | Short, slow walks with help, head slightly raised | Walking further each day on your own | Longer walks at a normal pace | No restriction | No restriction |
| Desk work | Possible from day 5–7, strap on | Most people are fully back at a desk | Full days comfortable | No restriction | No restriction |
| Driving | Avoid — head movement is limited and reaction times are affected by pain relief | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Set by your surgeon after your check-up | No restriction | No restriction |
| Flying | From day 4–5, after your check-up, wearing your strap | Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up | Set by your surgeon after your check-up | No restriction | No restriction |
| Gym | Not yet | Avoid — no swimming or heavy lifting yet | Still avoid — no running or straining | Gradual return, starting light | Normal exercise, as cleared by your surgeon |
| Chin strap | Worn almost all day and night | Worn most of the day | Worn most of the day, or overnight only | Coming off, or worn only overnight | As advised by your surgeon |
Typical timeline for a neck lift with platysmaplasty, built from the recovery guidance above. Cells marked "Confirmed by your surgeon at your check-up" depend too much on individual healing to generalise — ask at your consultation.
In their own words
Ellie's helped me all the way through with my surgery. Every time I've messaged her, she's got either her or my assistant as well to come and bring me whatever I've wanted whenever I wanted. So I'm very happy.
What to expect
Neck lift results and scar healing
Most of the early swelling is gone within about six weeks, though the jawline keeps softening and defining itself for up to three to six months as deeper swelling resolves. Many patients notice a visible change within the first month, while the smoothest, most settled outcome along the jaw and under the chin takes longer to show fully.
The small scar under the chin, and behind the ears if skin was removed, fades quickly and is usually barely visible once healed, sitting in the natural shadow of the jaw. Some mild tightness or firmness under the skin is common in the first few months as the muscle repair settles; patience with the swelling timeline and following your surgeon's scar-care advice both help the final result show through.
Results vary from patient to patient. Your surgeon will tell you what is realistic for your neck at the consultation.
Your neck lift surgeon
Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü
ENT and facial aesthetic surgeon · Izmir
Dr. Gümüşlü's background is in ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery, alongside a facial aesthetics practice: neck aesthetics, facelift and facial rejuvenation are a regular part of his work at JFS Clinic. Which surgeon operates, and in which city, is written in your quote.
- Meets you in person before surgery to plan your technique and incision line
- ENT specialist since 2023, trained at Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul
- Member of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (EAFPS)
Questions
Neck lift in Turkey, frequently asked questions
How much does a neck lift cost in Turkey?
JFS Clinic does not sell a single fixed neck lift package, because the amount of muscle and skin work varies from patient to patient. Send two photos and your surgeon reviews them to confirm your personal quote, which sets out the hospital stay, hotel nights and transfers for your plan. If you are also considering a facelift, the Facelift & Neck Lift package is listed from £4,000.
See all package prices →How soon can I have a neck lift in Turkey?
Most JFS patients are in Istanbul or Izmir for a neck lift within about a week of their first message. You send two photos of your neck and jawline; your coordinator comes back with a personal quote and the dates your surgeon has free. The exact date is only confirmed once your blood tests and the Day 2 consultation are done, and it moves if your surgeon decides waiting would be safer.
From first message to surgery →Can I get a neck lift on the NHS?
Rarely. The NHS classes a neck lift as a cosmetic operation, so funding is only available in limited, medically exceptional cases approved by your local health board. Most people researching a neck lift in the UK end up comparing private clinics, at home and abroad, on the surgeon's experience, the hospital, aftercare and the total price.
Is it safe to have a neck lift in Turkey?
Safety depends mainly on your surgeon and the hospital, not simply on the country you pick. Your surgeon at JFS Clinic works in a hospital licensed for international patients, and the clinic itself holds a health-tourism licence. Blood tests and a pre-operative check on Day 2 confirm you are fit for anaesthesia before anything goes ahead. As with any surgery, risks exist — for a neck lift mainly bleeding under the skin (haematoma), temporary numbness and, rarely, weakness of a small nerve near the jaw; your surgeon checks for these at your Day 5 review before you fly. Before you book, ask about your surgeon's training, the hospital's licence and how aftercare is arranged.
Which country is best for a neck lift?
No country can honestly claim to be the best for every patient, so compare clinics on standard points: the surgeon's specialist training and experience with facial and neck anatomy, a hospital licensed for international patients, a written price stating what it includes, and follow-up once you are home. At JFS Clinic you see your surgeon's name before booking and meet them before surgery. Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü, an ENT and head and neck surgeon, performs facial surgery, and your coordinator passes questions from home to him on WhatsApp.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how painful is a neck lift?
You are asleep or sedated for the procedure itself. Afterwards, most patients describe a tight, pulling sensation under the chin and along the jawline rather than sharp pain, similar to stiff neck muscles after an unfamiliar workout. It eases over the first couple of weeks as swelling goes down, and pain relief is provided throughout.
What's the difference between submental liposuction alone and a full neck lift?
Submental liposuction only removes fat from under the chin, through a single small incision, and does not touch the muscle layer underneath. A full neck lift, or platysmaplasty, also tightens the platysma muscle bands that have loosened with age, and sometimes removes excess skin as well. Your surgeon checks both the fat and the muscle at your consultation to confirm which one your neck actually needs.
Is a non-surgical neck lift as effective as surgery?
Non-surgical options, such as a Nefertiti lift using botulinum toxin along the jawline, can soften the appearance of mild banding for a few months, but they do not remove fat or tighten separated muscle. Once the platysma bands and loose skin are the main concern, most patients find only surgery gives a lasting change, which your surgeon can confirm after seeing your photos.
Can a neck lift be combined with a facelift or eyelid surgery?
Often, yes. A neck lift is commonly combined with a facelift in the same operation when loose skin and muscle bands extend from the jawline down into the neck, and blepharoplasty is also sometimes added. Your surgeon decides based on your health, your goals and how long the combined surgery would safely take.
How long are the scars and do they fade?
A neck lift usually leaves a short scar hidden under the chin, and sometimes a second, shorter scar behind each ear if more skin needs to be removed. It starts pink and slightly raised, then gradually flattens and fades over the following months to a year, usually settling into the natural shadow under the jaw.
How soon will I see my final neck lift result, and when can I fly home?
Most patients fly home after their surgeon's final check-up, usually on day 4 or 5 of their trip, wearing their chin strap or garment. Initial swelling takes a few weeks to settle, and most people see the new jawline taking shape by around six to eight weeks, with the area continuing to soften for up to six months. Results vary from patient to patient. Your surgeon will tell you what is realistic for your neck at the consultation.
Often considered together
Treatments often combined with a neck lift
Facelift
Lifts the cheeks and jawline in the same operation when sagging extends above the neck.
Explore →
Liposuction
Removes stubborn fat elsewhere on the body using the same gentle suction technique.
Explore →
Blepharoplasty
Addresses hooded or puffy eyelids when the neck is not the only area of concern.
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Rhinoplasty
Reshapes the nose, sometimes planned alongside facial and neck rejuvenation for overall balance.
Explore →Free neck lift consultation — Istanbul & Izmir
Send two photos and your coordinator will reply with your personal quote and the dates your surgeon has free.
+90 555 420 45 05- 1 About your treatment
- 2 A bit more about you
- 3 How to reach you
- 4 Your free quote