Surgical Neck Lift Under Tumescent Local Anesthesia in Juno Beach, FL
A surgical neck lift is a procedure that tightens loose neck skin, reduces fullness under the chin, and can smooth vertical muscle bands to restore a cleaner jaw-to-neck line.
At Perfect Skin MD in Juno Beach, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Susan Schroeder performs every neck lift herself under tumescent local anesthesia with light sedation, without routine general anesthesia.
For patients searching for a neck lift near Jupiter, Perfect Skin MD is located in Juno Beach, just south of Jupiter, and treats patients from Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and throughout Palm Beach County.
This page explains how the surgery works, who may be a candidate, what recovery involves, and how it compares with a facelift and nonsurgical options.
Medically reviewed by Susan Schroeder, MD, FAAD. Updated September 2026.
What Is a Surgical Neck Lift?
A surgical neck lift is an operation that reshapes the area below the jawline. Depending on your anatomy, it may include liposuction of fat under the chin, tightening of the platysma muscle, and removal of excess skin.
The medical term for the muscle-tightening portion is platysmaplasty. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine’s overview of neck lift surgery, the goal is a smoother, slimmer neck profile. It does not stop aging, but it can reset the neck’s contour.
What a Neck Lift Can Address
- Loose or sagging neck skin, sometimes called “turkey neck”
- Fullness or fat under the chin that does not respond to diet and exercise
- Vertical platysmal bands that appear when the neck muscle separates and loosens with age
- A blurred angle between the jaw and neck
A clinical review on platysmaplasty techniques from NCBI StatPearls describes how the platysma muscle loses elasticity, surrounding tissues weaken, and fat accumulates with age. Several surgical techniques exist, which is why the plan is individualized rather than one standard operation.
Why Tumescent Local Anesthesia Instead of General Anesthesia
Tumescent local anesthesia is a technique in which a large volume of dilute local anesthetic with epinephrine is infiltrated into the treatment area. It numbs the tissue, and the epinephrine helps limit bleeding.
At Perfect Skin MD, surgical lift procedures use tumescent local anesthesia with light sedation, so patients avoid the breathing tube and deeper anesthetic effects associated with general anesthesia.
Dr. Schroeder uses the tumescent technique across several surgical procedures, including tumescent liposuction. Whether tumescent anesthesia is appropriate for you depends on your health history and medications, which are reviewed before surgery.
In Florida, physician office surgery is governed by the Board of Medicine’s Rule 64B8-9.009 standard of care for office surgery.
Who May Be a Candidate for a Surgical Neck Lift
You may be a candidate if you:
- Have moderate to significant loose skin, fat, or banding in the neck
- Are in good general health and at a stable weight
- Do not smoke, or are willing to stop before and after surgery
- Have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot change
Health factors such as smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bleeding or clotting disorders, and certain medications can affect safety and healing. These are reviewed in detail at consultation, and surgery is recommended only after medical evaluation.
When a Nonsurgical Option May Fit Better
Not every neck concern needs surgery. The American Academy of Dermatology guidance on firming sagging skin notes that skin-tightening procedures work best for a small amount of sagging and that surgery produces the most dramatic results.
For milder laxity or fullness, Dr. Schroeder may discuss QuantumRF jawline and double chin treatment, FaceTite radiofrequency contouring, or Profound skin tightening.
Surgical Neck Lift vs. Facelift vs. Nonsurgical Neck Tightening
A surgical neck lift treats the area below the jawline, a facelift treats the lower face and jowls and is often combined with neck work, and nonsurgical tightening treats milder laxity with less downtime. The right choice depends on how much loose skin, fat, and muscle banding you have and whether jowling is present.
| Consideration | Surgical neck lift | Lower face and neck lift | Nonsurgical tightening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main target | Neck skin, fat under the chin, platysmal bands | Jowls, lower face, and neck together | Mild laxity and small fat pockets |
| Anesthesia at Perfect Skin MD | Tumescent local anesthesia with light sedation | Same approach as a neck lift | Local or topical anesthesia |
| Incisions | Under the chin, sometimes around the ears | Around the ears and under the chin | None or small entry points |
| Degree of change | Significant for the neck | Most comprehensive | Modest and gradual |
| Downtime | Days to weeks | Longer than a neck lift alone | Minimal to a few days |
If jowling is a major concern, a neck lift alone may not create a balanced result. In that case, Dr. Schroeder may recommend a lower face and neck lift instead.
What to Expect: The Surgical Neck Lift Process
Consultation and Planning
Your consultation includes a review of your medical history and medications, an examination of skin quality, fat distribution, and muscle banding, and a discussion of your goals. Dr. Schroeder explains which techniques your neck needs, the expected recovery time, and whether a nonsurgical option or a combined procedure would serve you better.
Day of Surgery
- Light sedation is given to help you relax.
- The neck is marked, and the tumescent local anesthetic solution is infiltrated to numb the area.
- Through small, strategically placed incisions, excess fat may be removed, the platysma muscle may be tightened, and loose skin may be trimmed.
- Incisions are closed, and a compression garment or dressing is typically applied.
- You are monitored before going home with a responsible adult.
Neck Lift Recovery Timeline
Most pain, swelling, and bruising resolve within about two weeks, and residual swelling can take up to three months to fully subside, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. A feeling of tightness in the neck is common early on. Dr. Schroeder provides specific instructions on compression, sleeping position, returning to work, and resuming exercise.
Signs such as fever, increasing redness, sudden swelling, or worsening pain should be reported right away.
Results and Longevity
An improved neck contour is often visible once early swelling settles, with the final result developing over several months. Results are long-lasting because tissue is removed and tightened, but the neck continues to age naturally. Stable weight, sun protection, and good skin care help maintain the result. Results vary.
You can review examples in the surgical face and neck lift before and after gallery.
Risks and Safety Considerations
Every surgical procedure carries risk. The StatPearls review lists potential neck lift complications that include:
- Hematoma or seroma (collection of blood or fluid under the skin)
- Infection
- Nerve injury, including temporary or rarely permanent weakness of the lower lip
- Contour irregularities or asymmetry
- Visible residual bands or over-correction
- Scarring and the possible need for revision
Tumescent anesthesia also requires careful attention to local anesthetic dosing. Choosing a physician with surgical training and following pre- and post-operative instructions closely helps reduce risk.
Why Choose Perfect Skin MD for a Surgical Neck Lift
If you are looking for a cosmetic surgeon near Jupiter, it helps to know exactly who will perform the surgery and what their training is. At Perfect Skin MD, the answer is always the same: Dr. Schroeder performs the surgery herself.
- Physician-performed surgery. Dr. Schroeder evaluates you, plans the procedure, and performs the procedure. Your neck lift is never delegated.
- Board-certified dermatologist with surgical fellowship training. Dr. Schroeder is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology with fellowship training in cosmetic and surgical dermatology. You can confirm her Florida license through the Florida Department of Health license verification portal and meet Dr. Susan Schroeder to learn more about her background.
- No routine general anesthesia. Surgical lifts are performed with local tumescent numbing and light sedation rather than routine general anesthesia.
- Natural-looking goals. The aim is a refreshed neck that looks like you, not a pulled or overly tight look.
- Honest recommendations. If a nonsurgical treatment or a lower facelift would serve you better, you will hear that at consultation.
- Complete surgical and cosmetic options. Your plan can include eyelid lift surgery, facial fat transfer, or fractional CO2 laser resurfacing when appropriate. See all cosmetic surgery procedures offered.
Perfect Skin MD’s single office is at 790 Juno Ocean Walk in Juno Beach, a short trip for patients from Jupiter, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens. The Direct Patient Care model allows unhurried consultations and direct follow-up with the physician who performed your surgery.
People Also Ask About Surgical Neck Lift
How long does it take to recover from a surgical neck lift?
Most bruising and swelling after a neck lift settles within about two weeks, and residual swelling can take up to three months to fully resolve, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Many patients return to light daily activity within days. Dr. Schroeder gives specific timelines for work, exercise, and compression based on the extent of your procedure.
Can a neck lift be done without general anesthesia?
Yes. At Perfect Skin MD, surgical neck lifts are performed under tumescent local anesthesia with light sedation rather than routine general anesthesia. Tumescent anesthesia uses a dilute local anesthetic solution with epinephrine infiltrated into the treatment area, which numbs the tissue and helps limit bleeding. Whether this approach suits you is confirmed during your medical evaluation.
What is the difference between a neck lift and a facelift?
A neck lift focuses on the area below the jawline, including loose neck skin, fullness under the chin, and platysmal bands. A facelift addresses the lower face, including jowls and deeper folds, and is often combined with neck work. If jowling is significant, a neck lift alone may not create a balanced result.
How much does a neck lift cost near Jupiter?
Neck lift cost depends on which techniques are needed, such as liposuction, muscle tightening, or skin removal, and whether other procedures are combined. Perfect Skin MD provides a quote after an in-person consultation in Juno Beach. Cosmetic neck lifts are generally not covered by insurance, and payment plans, including Cherry financing, are available to eligible patients.
Is there a nonsurgical alternative to a neck lift?
Yes, for mild to moderate laxity. Radiofrequency and other skin-tightening treatments can improve neck skin, but the American Academy of Dermatology notes that people with excessive sagging may not benefit from skin tightening alone. Surgery generally produces the most dramatic change when loose skin or muscle banding is significant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Neck Lift
What is a surgical neck lift?
A surgical neck lift is a procedure that improves the contour of the neck and jawline by removing or repositioning excess skin, reducing fat under the chin, and, when needed, tightening the platysma muscle. The medical term for muscle tightening in the neck is platysmaplasty. The exact combination depends on your anatomy.
Who performs the surgical neck lift at Perfect Skin MD?
Dr. Susan Schroeder, a board-certified dermatologist with fellowship training in cosmetic and surgical dermatology, performs the procedure herself. She evaluates you, plans the approach, and operates. The surgery is not delegated to another provider.
Where is the neck lift performed?
The procedure is performed at Perfect Skin MD, 790 Juno Ocean Walk, Suite 203-C, Juno Beach, FL 33408, under tumescent local anesthesia with light sedation. The office is located just south of Jupiter and serves patients from Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and across Palm Beach County.
Will a neck lift leave visible scars?
Any surgery leaves scars, but neck lift incisions are typically placed in less visible areas, such as under the chin and, when skin removal is needed, around or behind the ears. Scars usually soften and fade over months. Scar quality varies with skin type, healing, and aftercare.
How long do surgical neck lift results last?
Neck lift results are considered long-lasting because excess skin and fat are removed and underlying structures are tightened. Your neck will continue to age naturally, and weight changes, sun exposure, and genetics all affect how the result holds over time. Results vary between patients.
Can a neck lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. A neck lift is commonly combined with a lower facelift for jowls, eyelid surgery, fat transfer for volume, or laser resurfacing for skin texture. Combining procedures can mean one recovery period, but it also extends surgery and healing time. Dr. Schroeder will recommend combinations only when they address a specific concern.
Does insurance cover a surgical neck lift?
Generally, no. A neck lift performed for cosmetic reasons is not covered by insurance. Perfect Skin MD operates on a Direct Patient Care model, and payment plans, including Cherry financing, are available to eligible patients.
Schedule a Surgical Neck Lift Consultation Near Jupiter
If loose neck skin, fullness under the chin, or neck bands are bothering you, a private consultation with Dr. Schroeder will help determine whether a surgical neck lift, a combined lower-face and neck lift, or a nonsurgical treatment is the best fit for your goals.
Call 561-462-1965 or book your neck lift consultation online. Perfect Skin MD is located at 790 Juno Ocean Walk, Suite 203-C, Juno Beach, FL 33408, serving Jupiter, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Palm Beach County. Payment plans and Cherry financing are available for eligible patients.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. It does not create a physician-patient relationship. Candidacy, risks, recovery, and results depend on your health history, anatomy, and in-person evaluation by a qualified medical provider.
Results vary, and no outcome is guaranteed. All surgical procedures carry risks, which should be discussed during a consultation.
