What a face and neck lift involves
A face and neck lift (sometimes written "facelift with necklift" or lower rhytidectomy with platysmaplasty) treats the two areas that most often betray age: the lower face and the neck. In one operation, the surgeon:
- lifts and repositions the deeper supportive layer of the face, the SMAS, to restore the cheeks and define the jawline;
- tightens the neck muscles (platysma) through a small incision in the natural crease under the chin, which smooths vertical bands;
- removes excess fat under the chin where needed;
- redrapes the skin of the face and neck and removes the excess behind the ears.
The result is a continuous, natural contour rather than a tight face sitting above a loose neck. You can read the clinic's own overview on the face and neck lift page of New City Clinic.
Who is a good candidate?
A face and neck lift suits people with sagging of the cheeks and jawline together with loose skin, bands or fullness in the neck. It is usually performed from the mid-forties onwards in healthy non-smokers with a stable weight. Common reasons people ask about it:
- jowls that break the line of the jaw;
- a "turkey neck" – loose skin and slack muscle bands below the chin;
- the angle between jaw and neck has disappeared, especially in profile photos;
- previous fillers or threads no longer give enough lift.
If only the neck has aged and the face is still firm, a neck lift alone may be enough. If the neck problem is purely fat with firm skin, double-chin liposuction can be the simpler option. If the changes are early and limited to the jowls, a mini facelift might suit.
Why treat the face and neck together?
A neck lift treats the neck, but a softened jawline and jowls come from the lower face. Lift only the neck and the jowls remain; lift only the face and a loose neck can look more obvious by contrast. Treating both in one operation means:
| Option | What it addresses | What it leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Facelift alone | Cheeks, jowls, jawline | Marked neck bands or loose neck skin may remain |
| Neck lift alone | Neck skin, bands, fat under the chin | Jowls and descended cheeks |
| Face and neck lift | Cheeks, jowls, jawline and neck | Skin texture and fine lines (treated separately) |
It also means a single anaesthetic and a single recovery period instead of two. Many patients add eyelid surgery or facial fat transfer in the same session – the surgeon decides whether a longer operation is appropriate for you.
There is also a practical argument for doing everything at once when you are travelling. One trip, one set of pre-operative tests, one stretch of time off work and one healing period are easier to organise than two separate journeys a year apart. Just as importantly, the surgeon can balance the tension between face and neck during the same operation, so that the lift of the jawline and the tightening below it blend into each other. That said, the decision is medical, not logistical: if your neck does not need surgery, nobody should add it simply because you are already in Istanbul.
Step by step in Istanbul
- Free assessment. Send front, profile and three-quarter photos of your face and neck, hair tied back, plus your medical history. A doctor reviews them and New City Clinic sends you a written plan and quote, usually within 24 hours.
- Arrival. You are collected from the airport and taken to your hotel.
- Examination day. Consultation with the surgeon, blood tests and anaesthetic assessment.
- Surgery. About 4–6 hours under general anaesthesia at a licensed partner hospital, followed by one or two nights in hospital.
- Check-ups. Dressings and wounds are checked; stitches are removed and the surgeon confirms you are fit to fly.
- Home. Plan about 9 to 12 days in Türkiye. Follow-up continues by photo and video call, with reports in English.
A light compression band may be worn on the neck at first. Direct flights to the UK and Ireland take around four hours; a scarf is useful for the journey. Practicalities are covered in our surgery trip guide.
Recovery after a face and neck lift
This is a larger operation than a facelift alone, so plan your recovery generously. In the first days the face and neck feel tight, swollen and numb; bruising may spread down the neck. Sleeping with the head raised, avoiding turning the neck sharply, keeping the head straight when reading and taking short walks all help.
- Days 1–7: rest at the hotel, light neck band if advised, dressing checks.
- Days 7–12: stitches removed, surgeon's check, flight home.
- About two weeks: most people feel ready to return to work and be seen socially.
- Six weeks: sport and strenuous exercise resumed.
- Around six months: residual swelling and firmness under the chin settle and the final result is visible.
Numbness in front of the ears and under the chin gradually improves over months. Protect the scars from the sun during the first year.
Risks
Expected effects are swelling, bruising, tightness, numbness and tenderness. Possible complications include bleeding or haematoma, infection, delayed healing (higher in smokers), visible or widened scars, temporary weakness of facial or lip movement, contour irregularities in the neck, hair loss near the incisions and asymmetry. Every medical procedure carries risk; your surgeon explains the risks specific to you during your examination.
Because the operation is longer, general health and anaesthetic fitness are checked carefully. Results vary with anatomy, skin quality and healing and cannot be guaranteed. Our guide is surgery in Turkey safe? explains how to judge any provider.
Face and neck lift price in Turkey
The illustrative package price for a face and neck lift with New City Clinic is €4,500. The final quote follows the free medical assessment and depends on what your neck needs and any combined procedures. Flights are not included.
Included: surgery at an authorised partner hospital, hospital nights, hotel, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, a coordinator and interpreter, and complication insurance. Privately in the UK and Ireland, a face and neck lift is typically quoted at approximately £10,000 to £18,000 or more – an indicative range only, varying widely by surgeon. See all packages on our prices page or the New City Clinic prices, and what an all-inclusive package should contain.
Why we recommend New City Clinic as the best clinic in Turkey for a face and neck lift
For us, the best option in Istanbul for a face and neck lift is New City Clinic – not because of slogans, but because of facts you can verify yourself. New City Clinic is authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health and registered with HealthTürkiye, holds TÜRSAB licence no. 17659 and is certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2022, ISO 10002:2018 and ISO 31000:2018 (see the New City Clinic certificates). Patients looking for the best clinic in Turkey for facial surgery also value what comes with every New City Clinic quote: a licensed partner hospital named in writing, a specialist surgeon, complication insurance, an itemised price and a coordinator who stays with them throughout.
New City Clinic is a health-tourism agency based in Bakırköy, Istanbul, authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye) and licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659). Surgery takes place at licensed partner hospitals such as Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni, performed by specialist surgeons such as Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, plastic, reconstructive and oncological surgeon with microsurgery experience.
Before you travel you receive the hospital, the surgeon and an itemised quote in writing; in Istanbul a coordinator accompanies you; once home, follow-up continues remotely. You can verify the agency's papers on our licences and certificates page and read more about New City Clinic.
Request your free face and neck lift quote
Send New City Clinic photos of your face and neck from the front, both sides and three-quarter angles, with your hair tied back and no make-up, and tell us what you would like to change. A doctor reviews them free of charge and you usually receive a written plan and quote within 24 hours. Use the form or message the team on WhatsApp – no obligation.
Choosing the best plastic surgeon in Istanbul and the best clinic in Turkey is a personal decision – take your time, ask questions and compare written plans. When you are ready, the Face and neck lift page of New City Clinic and the New City Clinic team on WhatsApp are one message away.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a face and neck lift cost in Turkey?
With New City Clinic the illustrative package price is €4,500, including surgery, hospital nights, hotel, transfers, coordinator and complication insurance. Flights are not included; the final price is confirmed after a free assessment.
How many days do I need in Istanbul for a face and neck lift?
Plan about 9 to 12 days, including one or two nights in hospital, so that stitches can be removed and the surgeon can check healing before you fly.
Is a neck lift alone enough for a sagging jawline?
Usually not. A neck lift treats the neck, while jowls and a softened jawline come from the lower face. Treating both together gives a continuous contour from cheek to collarbone.
When can I go back to work after a face and neck lift?
Expect about two weeks before returning to work or feeling ready to be seen socially. Sport is resumed after about six weeks.
Will I have a scar under the chin?
If the neck muscles are tightened, a short scar is placed in the natural crease under the chin. The other scars are hidden in the hairline and around the ear.
Do I have to wear a compression garment?
No full garment is needed, but a light compression band may be worn on the neck in the first days. Your surgeon tells you how long.
When will I see the final result?
Most swelling settles within the first weeks, but residual firmness and numbness take longer. The final result is usually seen at around six months.
Can the neck be treated without a facelift?
Yes, a neck lift alone is possible when the face itself has not sagged much. The surgeon advises which option fits after reviewing your photos.
