Neck Lift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Kansas City, MO

A neck lift is a facial rejuvenation procedure that can restore the natural definition and sculpting to your neck and jawline.

As you age, your skin’s natural collagen levels deplete, which is an essential protein for maintaining its firmness, elasticity, and overall well-being. This can lead to drooping or lax skin to develop across the neck, as well as a fuller appearance around the chin and jawline. A neck lift can alleviate each of these concerns with ease and efficiency, allowing you to achieve an appearance that reflects your inner youth.

Dr. Hannah Vargas of Vargas Face & Skin Center is a nationally recognized, board-certified surgeon who specializes in facial plastics. Dr. Vargas has helped countless patients throughout her career and has received numerous honors, recognitions, and awards because of it. These include being voted a Top Doctor in Kansas City, being named Best for Face & Lips by Goop, and being a recipient of the American Medical Association’s Physician’s Recognition Award.

If you are ready to transform the appearance of your neck, please schedule a consultation online. If you have any questions or would prefer scheduling over the phone, you may also call our Prairie Village office at (913) 381-4900.

Before and After Photos

Neck Lift Before & After Patient #6749
Neck Lift Before & After Patient #6749
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About Neck Lifts

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that can restore a more youthful-looking appearance across your neck and jawline by addressing concerns, such as hanging or sagging skin, vertical neck banding, or a poorly-defined jawline. While many of these changes are age-related, factors such as your lifestyle habits, sun exposure, and genetics can exacerbate them. A neck lift offers natural-looking recontouring that can combat each of these concerns and contribute to a more aesthetically pleasing appearance overall.

Benefits

Neck lifts offer a plethora of benefits that you can experience when undergoing this procedure for yourself. They include:

  • Improved Definition: The primary benefit of a neck lift is its ability to create a smoother, more toned neck.
  • Tighter Skin: Dr. Vargas can remove excess skin to restore a tighter and smoother look and feel.
  • Reduced Signs of Aging: This procedure can eliminate visible signs of aging and muscle banding, allowing you to achieve a more youthful look that reflects your true vitality.
  • Smoother Contours: Dr. Vargas can perform this procedure to restore a seamless transition between the chin, jawline, neck, and chest.
  • Enhanced Self-Esteem: Addressing your insecurities, especially those that develop in more prominent places, can elevate your overall sense of self-confidence.
  • Lasting Results: The results of a neck lift are long-lasting, with effects that you can enjoy for several years on end.
  • Tailored Solutions: Dr. Vargas designs each treatment plan around your specific concerns and anatomy to ensure results that suit your goals and natural features.

Neck Lift Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a neck lift if you have noticed your neck and jawline start to develop age-related changes, which may include:

  • Loose, sagging, or inelastic skin
  • Muscle banding
  • Accumulations of excess fat
  • A loss of definition overall (1)

To qualify for this procedure, you should be in good general health without any underlying medical conditions that may affect your recovery or results. You should also maintain realistic expectations regarding your results.

Personal Consultation

There is no singular solution to rejuvenating your neck, which is why we ask that you attend a consultation before scheduling your neck lift. During this consultation, a patient care coordinator will meet with you to ask about your medical history, personal concerns, and aesthetic goals. They will also perform a physical examination. During this examination, your coordinator may take measurements, photos, and notes. With this information, they will then determine whether a neck lift is right for you and help you create a one-of-a-kind solution for each of your neck challenges.

To schedule this consultation and start working towards a smoother, more slender neck, please contact us online or call (913) 381-4900.

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your neck lift, you will need to make several preparations. Dr. Vargas will provide you with preoperative instructions. She may direct you to:

  • Avoid Certain Medications: Discontinue medications or supplements that may thin your blood.
  • Prepare Transportation: Ask a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
  • Arrange Time Away: You will need to prepare to step away from your responsibilities to rest.
  • Fill Your Prescriptions: Pick up any medications you may need for your recovery ahead of time.
  • Refrain from Alcohol: Avoid consuming any alcohol in the days before and after your procedure.

Procedure

Dr. Vargas performs each procedure at her accredited surgical suite, located in her office. The length of your procedure will vary, but you can expect it to take between two and three hours. Before your procedure begins, a qualified anesthesia provider working with Dr. Vargas will administer IV sedation to keep you comfortable. General anesthesia may be used if necessary. For procedures performed under local anesthesia, medication may be provided to help you relax.

Dr. Vargas will then place several incisions behind your ears and within the hairline to access the underlying structures of your neck–all while minimizing the visibility and appearance of any potential scarring. (2) Through these incisions, she will begin to tighten any weakened or loose platysmal muscles, eliminate excess fat, and excise excess skin. If she finds a significant amount of fat throughout the treatment area, she may also perform facial liposuction techniques to remove it.

Once Dr. Vargas has performed each of your desired corrections, she will redrape the remaining skin and suture each incision closed. Her team will then transport you to our recovery suite, where you can rest until they release you.

Recovery

After a neck lift, you will need to take some time to focus on your recovery. You may return to light activities and desk work after resting for approximately one to two weeks. However, you will need to refrain from strenuous or physically demanding activities until Dr. Vargas clears you to return.

As you heal, you may experience some swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will gradually subside on their own, but you may also manage them with a cold compress, medications prescribed by Dr. Vargas, and plenty of rest. She will provide you with further instructions when meeting with you. By following each one, you will be able to return to your routine more quickly and achieve the best possible results.

Results

The results of your neck lift will become more apparent as any residual swelling continues to decrease. Your exact results will vary, as Dr. Vargas personalizes each facelift; you can expect to enjoy a more slender, defined neck, a sharper jawline, and smoother skin—each of which can contribute to a more desirable and youthful-looking appearance.

The results of a neck lift are long-lasting, with effects that you can experience for several years to come, especially when you maintain them with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.

Corresponding Procedures

Facelift

A facelift is a facial rejuvenation procedure that can restore a more youthful-looking appearance across your middle and lower face. When performing this procedure, Dr. Vargas typically makes corrections such as resurfacing your facial tissue, tightening your underlying muscles, and eliminating excess skin to address visible signs of aging around the face and neck. She offers several variations of the facelift to address a wide range of concerns, including the Deep Plane Facelift, the QuickLift, and the Micro Lift.

We recommend reading Dr. Vargas’s blog to learn more about the other procedures we offer!

Cost of Neck Lifts in Kansas City, MO

The cost of your neck lift will vary, as Dr. Vargas tailors each aspect according to your specific goals. She will give you a comprehensive cost estimate for your procedure once she has met with you individually to establish your treatment plan. She additionally offers financing for those who qualify.

To learn more about our pricing, please contact us online or call (913) 381-4900.

FAQ

Will a neck lift help me eliminate the appearance of a double chin?

A neck lift may address the appearance of a double chin if lax skin causes it. If accumulated fat causes it, we recommend looking into either Kybella or facial liposuction.

How will I know if I am an ideal candidate for a neck lift?

During your consultation, a patient care coordinator will meet with you to assess your medical history, personal concerns, goals, and physical anatomy. Using this information, they will determine whether a neck lift or another procedure is best suited for your needs.

How long will it take me to recover after a neck lift?

Your exact recovery timeline will vary depending on the extent of your procedure and how quickly your body heals itself. Most patients are able to return to light activities and desk work after approximately one to two weeks, but you will need to refrain from more strenuous activities until Dr. Vargas has cleared you to return.

How long will the results of my neck lift last?

The results of a neck lift can last for several years on end, especially when you pair them with an effective skincare regimen, a stable weight, and a healthy lifestyle.

Can Dr. Vargas combine my neck lift with another procedure for further rejuvenation?

Yes, Dr. Vargas may integrate other procedures into your treatment plan alongside your neck lift for more cohesive and comprehensive results. We recommend scheduling a consultation for more information and personalized recommendations based on your desired results.

References

  1. Alexander L, Patel BC. Platysmaplasty Facelift. Nih.gov. Published September 4, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563291/#article-21529.s4
  2. Paloma Pérez, Hohman MH. Neck Rejuvenation. Nih.gov. Published September 4, 2023. Accessed March 11, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562229/#article-102110.s9