What a neck lift corrects
The neck ages in three ways, and often all three at once. The skin loses elasticity and starts to hang; the thin platysma muscle separates in the middle and forms visible vertical cords; and fat collects under the chin. Together they blur the angle between the jaw and the neck – the "turkey neck" many people notice first in profile photos or video calls.
A neck lift (medically, platysmaplasty with or without skin excision) treats these causes directly. Depending on your anatomy the surgeon may tighten the neck muscles through a small incision under the chin, remove fat under the chin with liposuction or direct excision, and remove excess skin through incisions hidden behind the ears. The overview on the neck lift page of New City Clinic describes the same tailored approach.
Is a neck lift right for you?
A neck lift suits people bothered by loose skin, vertical bands or fullness under the chin, whose cheeks and jawline have not sagged significantly. It is helpful to match the cause with the treatment:
| Main problem | Usually treated with |
|---|---|
| Fat under the chin, firm skin | Double-chin liposuction |
| Loose skin and/or muscle bands in the neck | Neck lift |
| Neck problem plus jowls and a soft jawline | Face and neck lift |
| Weak chin making the neck look short | Chin augmentation, sometimes with lipo |
Good candidates are healthy, have a stable weight and do not smoke, or are willing to stop. If you have lost a lot of weight, the neck skin may be very loose and a broader plan may be needed – see our page on post-weight-loss contouring for the body.
The techniques the surgeon may use
- Platysmaplasty: the separated edges of the neck muscle are stitched together in the midline through a short incision in the crease under the chin, smoothing the bands and creating a sling under the jaw.
- Submental fat reduction: excess fat under the chin is removed with fine liposuction cannulas or directly through the same incision.
- Skin excision: loose skin is lifted towards the back of the ear and the excess removed; the incision runs behind the ear into the hairline.
- Combination with other procedures: a neck lift is often combined with eyelid surgery or a brow lift in one operation, which may lengthen your stay.
Which combination you need is decided at the examination. When the jawline has also softened, the surgeon may recommend a full face and neck lift instead, because a neck lift alone cannot lift jowls.
Your neck lift in Istanbul, step by step
- Free photo assessment. Send photos of your face and neck from the front and both sides, chin level, hair tied back, plus your medical history. A doctor reviews them and New City Clinic sends a written plan and quote, usually within 24 hours.
- Arrival. Airport pick-up and hotel transfer.
- Examination. Surgeon's consultation, blood tests and anaesthesia assessment; the plan is finalised.
- Surgery. About 2–3 hours under general anaesthesia at a licensed partner hospital, with one night in hospital.
- Check-up. Dressings changed, wounds checked; a compression band is worn around the neck for the first days.
- Home. Plan about 7–9 days in Türkiye. The four-hour flight to the UK or Ireland is usually comfortable; follow-up continues remotely.
For flight timing, packing and what to tell your employer, see our trip planning guide.
Preparing for a neck lift
Good preparation shortens recovery. Stop smoking and nicotine products several weeks before surgery and stay off them afterwards, because the neck skin relies on a healthy blood supply to heal. Tell the team about all medicines and supplements; blood thinners and some herbal products may need to be paused on medical advice. Try to reach a stable weight before surgery – losing a lot afterwards can loosen the skin again. Pack tops that open at the front, a scarf for the journey and a pillow that keeps your head raised. If you work at a computer, arrange your screen at eye level for the first weeks so that you are not constantly looking down. Our package guide explains what is already organised for you in Istanbul.
Recovery
The neck feels tight and swollen at first, sometimes with bruising that travels down towards the collarbone. Turning your head is uncomfortable for a few days, so move your whole upper body rather than twisting. Keep your head raised when resting, avoid looking down at a phone for long periods and wear the neck band as instructed.
- First week: rest, short walks, neck band, dressing checks in Istanbul.
- Ten days to two weeks: most people return to work as bruising fades.
- Four weeks: sport and exercise resumed gradually.
- Around four months: firmness under the chin softens, numbness improves and the final contour is visible.
Small hard areas under the skin are common for a while and soften with time. Your coordinator stays in touch after you return home if you have questions.
Risks
Temporary swelling, bruising, tightness and numbness are expected. Possible complications include bleeding or haematoma, infection, fluid collection, delayed healing, irregularities in the neck contour, visible scars, temporary weakness of the lower lip movement and asymmetry. Smoking increases the risk of healing problems considerably. Your surgeon explains the risks that apply to you during the examination.
Results vary with skin quality, anatomy and healing and cannot be guaranteed; the neck continues to age naturally. To understand what makes surgery abroad safe – licensed hospitals, named surgeons, enough time before flying – read our safety guide.
Neck lift price and what is included
A neck lift is quoted individually because the cost depends on what your neck needs – muscle tightening, fat removal, skin removal or a combination – and whether other procedures are added. For orientation, the illustrative package price for a full face and neck lift with New City Clinic is €4,500. Flights are not included.
The package normally covers surgery at an authorised partner hospital, the hospital night, hotel, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, a coordinator and interpreter, and complication insurance. Privately in the UK and Ireland, a neck lift is often quoted at approximately £6,000 to £10,000 or more – an indicative range only. All prices are on our prices page and the New City Clinic price list.
Why we recommend New City Clinic as the best clinic in Turkey for a neck lift
If you are comparing options and wondering which is the best clinic in Istanbul for neck surgery, we recommend New City Clinic, and we want to be clear about why. New City Clinic works only with licensed hospitals and named specialists, holds the Ministry of Health health-tourism authorisation, HealthTürkiye registration and TÜRSAB licence no. 17659, and is certified to four ISO standards (9001, 27001, 10002 and 31000) – documents you can open on the New City Clinic licences page. Complication insurance, written transparent prices and one coordinator from your first message to your follow-up complete the picture. That combination is what we look for in the best clinic in Turkey for a neck lift.
New City Clinic is a health-tourism agency in Bakırköy, Istanbul, authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye) and licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659). Operations are carried out by specialist surgeons such as Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç – plastic, reconstructive and oncological surgeon – at licensed partner hospitals including Acıbadem, Medicana and Biruni.
You know your hospital and surgeon in writing before travelling, your package includes complication insurance, and a coordinator looks after you from arrival to departure. Licences are listed on our licences and certificates page, and you can browse all treatments if you are planning more than one procedure.
Request your free neck lift assessment
Send New City Clinic a few photos of your neck and face – front, both profiles and with your chin level – and tell us what bothers you. A doctor reviews them free of charge and explains whether a neck lift, chin liposuction or a face and neck lift fits you best. A written quote usually follows within 24 hours via the form or WhatsApp.
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 Neck lift page of New City Clinic and the New City Clinic team on WhatsApp are one message away.
Frequently asked questions
What is a turkey neck, and can a neck lift fix it?
"Turkey neck" is the everyday name for loose skin and slack muscle bands hanging below the chin. When that is the cause, a neck lift tightens the muscles and removes excess skin. Fat alone with firm skin may respond to liposuction instead.
Neck lift or face and neck lift – which do I need?
A neck lift alone suits a problem confined to the neck. When the jawline and lower face have also softened, a face and neck lift usually gives a more continuous result. The surgeon advises after examining you.
How long do I need to stay in Istanbul for a neck lift?
Plan about 7 to 9 days, usually with one night in hospital. A compression band is worn around the neck for the first days and the surgeon checks healing before you fly.
When can I go back to work after a neck lift?
Usually after about ten days to two weeks, when bruising has largely faded. Sport is resumed after about four weeks.
Where are the scars after a neck lift?
Behind the ears and, if the neck muscles are tightened, a short scar in the natural crease under the chin. They are red at first and fade over the following months.
Is liposuction under the chin enough?
Only if the skin is firm and the problem is fat. Loose skin or muscle bands need a neck lift, because liposuction does not tighten the muscle or remove skin.
Why is the neck lift price given after an assessment?
The cost depends on whether you need muscle tightening, fat removal, skin removal or a combination, and on any combined procedures. After a physician has reviewed your photos, New City Clinic sends a written quote; flights are not included.
Can a neck lift be combined with eyelid surgery or a brow lift?
Yes, they are often combined in one operation, which may lengthen your stay. The surgeon plans what is safe for you.
