How Much is a Neck Lift? Everything You Should Know About Neck Lift Cost

A neck lift is a highly popular cosmetic procedure that looks to improve your jawline and reduce the appearance of loose skin. Most patients who opt for neck lift surgery have a lot of excess or sagging skin around the neck area or struggle with a double chin.

Naturally, there are various things to consider before deciding if this treatment is right for you. One of the main concerns is how much does a neck lift procedure actually cost? Different figures for cosmetic procedures are quoted around the web, but we can break everything down for you in as much detail as possible in this guide.

before after neck lift Vida
Dr. Quiroz Patient | Face and Neck Lift

What is the average cost of a neck lift surgery?

The average neck lift cost is anywhere between $1,200 and $12,700 in the United States, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

In Mexico, you can assume the average neck lift cost to be around $5,000 – $6,000.

Seeing as there are so many variations of neck lifts – and so many neck lift surgery providers out there – the average neck lift cost is spread over a broad range.

Consequently, it’s highly possible for an individual to pay ten times as much as someone else for the same neck lift surgery! Obviously, lots of different things factor into the average cost of neck lifts.

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What determines neck lift cost

The overall costs can be broken down by looking at the following factors:

  • The surgical approach and procedures performed by the plastic surgeons
  • The anesthesia fees
  • How long the procedure takes to complete
  • The costs for the surgical facility
  • The cost of any medical tests that are conducted before and after
  • Post-surgery costs
  • The actual surgeon’s fee

Different surgical approaches

Typically, neck lift surgery will follow a couple of different approaches. The most common is liposuction to remove excess fat, but some patients may need submentoplasty or an open neck lift.

If liposuction is the only method used, then this will involve making a series of small incisions where a device can be inserted to remove excess fat from the neck area.

With a submentoplasty, a similar method is used, but fewer incisions are made. Also, the surgeon won’t remove any excess skin, but they will tighten the neck muscles to provide a more toned appearance for the patient.

In general, if submentoplasty is used in conjunction with liposuction, then the final cost of the treatment will be higher. This is simply because it requires more time and more skill, so plastic surgeons tend to set a higher fee for this procedure.

Anesthesia fees

With most medical procedures, the cost of anesthesia is covered by your health insurance provider. However, neck lifts aren’t usually under this coverage. As a result, you have to pay for the cost of using anesthesia.

Now, the price you pay varies on more factors yet again. Primarily, local anesthesia is cheaper than general anesthesia. If general anesthesia is required, then the cost will go up depending on how much is used.

The total cost of anesthesia will vary based on the provider’s fees and the facility fees. It costs a lot of money to get the right equipment to provide anesthesia, along with the medication costs themselves, plus the cost of hiring staff to administer it.

The neck lift procedure duration

We’ve already touched upon the correlation between the surgical procedure duration and the costs. Obviously, the longer it takes for a neck lift to be completed, the more expensive it will be.

However, you should be cautious of any procedures that are too fast. Don’t sacrifice the quality of your neck lift just to save a bit of money!

The costs for the surgical facility

It will cost the neck lift provider a lot of money for every procedure they carry out. Take into account the following:

  • Cost of equipment used
  • Cost of supplies
  • Cost of staff working on the procedure
  • Cost of any medication
  • Certifications of the surgical facility

All of these things are added up and factored into the final price for the treatment. This is where a lot of the price differences come from. A substandard facility will have lower operating costs than a high-class one.

Medical test costs

This isn’t always part of the costs, it depends on your reaction to the treatment. If there are any complications – or you react badly – then medical tests may have to be carried out to see what the problem is.

Usually, you won’t see any negative reactions as long as you provide accurate information on your medical history before the procedure. Some people might withhold information as they desperately want the treatment, then end up seeing complications because it turns out they weren’t suitable for it. As long as you’re honest, and you have an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, then you shouldn’t have to worry about any medical tests.

Post-op costs

Depending on how extensive your neck lift was, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight. This isn’t necessarily due to complications, it’s more to do with helping you recover better. A lengthy procedure will feel sore afterward, so it’s recommended you stay overnight to rest and be in a better position to leave the next day.

As a result, this will lead to additional fees added to your bill. Why? Because it costs money to keep you overnight as you’ll need post-op garments, somewhere to stay, something to eat, and possibly even medication to deal with any pain.

Speaking of which, if you have a low pain threshold, then you might need to be put on a prescription to deal with the pain and inflammation. Therefore, you have to factor the extra costs of this prescription into the overall price of your neck lift.

Surgeon fees

Lastly, you have the surgeon’s fees. This simply refers to what plastic surgeons charge for this particular plastic surgery procedure. Naturally, surgical neck lift pricing will vary between plastic surgeons. The more experienced and skilled a surgeon is, the higher they tend to charge for a neck lift procedure.

It’s the same as any other cosmetic procedure or any other service in life. If you want the best, you need to be ready to pay a much higher fee for a specialist.

How do you find out the neck lift costs?

All of the previously mentioned things come together to form your overall neck lift procedure price. The good news is that this will be discussed with you before you undergo any treatment.

When you come in for a neck lift, you’ll have an initial consultation that covers everything in as much detail as possible. Aside from checking if you’re the right candidate for this plastic surgery procedure, you will also be given information on the costs.

Here, you’re given an initial quote for the treatment. This will take a lot of the factors into account. However, it’s important to note that this quote might increase in price depending on how the surgery goes.

As an example, things like the surgeon’s fee and hospital fees don’t really change from the prices given during neck lift consultations. However, the anesthesia costs may increase if the cosmetic surgery takes longer than surgeons expect. Likewise, there might be additional costs for post-op procedures or prescriptions. So, be prepared for this when you’re given your initial plastic surgery quote. This way, you won’t be surprised if it’s slightly more than you initially expect.

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Plastic Surgery in Mexico vs the USA

One of the biggest pricing-related decisions that will affect the ultimate cost is whether or not to get your procedure done in the US or in Mexico.

You can save as much as 50% or more on your overall costs by finding a reputable, trustworthy plastic surgery center like Vida Wellness & Beauty. Make sure you do your due diligence! (see some of our success stories here)

Does health insurance cover neck lifts?

We briefly touched upon health insurance, but the general rule is that it won’t cover the cost of neck lifts or any other cosmetic procedures.

Of course, this is just a general statement. Be sure to check with your health insurance provider before you undergo this procedure. They might not cover it as part of your current policy, but they may offer an add-on that provides some coverage. Again, this isn’t guaranteed – and it’s highly unlikely – but you should still double-check.

What should you look for in neck lift pricing?

With such a wide average cost to deal with, it’s hard for patients to know if they’re getting a good price or not. However, there are a few things you should definitely be wary of.

Cheap = Red Flag

Clearly, if someone is charging way below the average, then you have to be worried. How can they afford to keep the cost of a neck lift so low? Usually, it’s down to poor facilities, poor equipment, and possibly an inexperienced surgeon.

Exorbitant Pricing

Similarly, if the price is above the average, then check to see what you get out of the treatment. If you feel like it warrants such a high price, then it might be worth it. If it seems the same as another provider, then don’t get ripped off.

Hidden Fees

Last but not least, the main thing to take from this guide is that there are lots of things that go into the overall cost of a neck lift. Be sure to check what’s included in neck lift pricing when you’re given a quote. Some providers might only include surgeon fees in their advertised prices, which leaves out so many extras.

With a cosmetic procedure like this, it’s always best to pay for quality. Don’t look for cheap options if it means you’re getting a lower standard of treatment! For any help or guidance on neck lift costs or the procedure process, feel free to get in touch with us today. 

Dr. Juan Carlos Fuentes

Dr. Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing at VIDA clinic Tijuana. Dr. Fuentes served as Chief of Residents in Plastic Surgery in Guadalajara. His postgraduate fellowship training was also completed at the University of California at Irvine and at Texas University. Specializes in Facial Rejuvenation, Rhinoplasty, Botox & Facial Fillers, Brow Lift, Blepharoplasty, Facial Enhancement and more. He is a member of the Mexican Association of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (A.M.C.P.E.R.), American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (A.S.A.P.S.), San Diego International Plastic Surgery Society, Tijuana Medical Association, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (I.S.A.P.S.) and The Rhinoplasty Society.