Necklift in Buenos Aires —
Neck Lift Surgery

What is the Necklift (Neck Lift)?

The Necklift — also called neck lift or cervicoplasty — is the surgical procedure that comprehensively rejuvenates the cervical region: it corrects platysma muscle laxity, removes excess submandibular and submental fat, resects excess skin, and restores the cervicomentonial angle (the angle formed between the neck and the chin), which is one of the most visible markers of youth in the facial profile.

Over the years, the neck accumulates a series of changes that are independent of physical condition or body weight: the skin loses elasticity and sags, the platysma muscle — which covers the entire anterior neck region — separates at the midline forming the so-called platysma bands (or "neck cords"), and fat redistributes creating a double chin or loss of jaw contour. The Necklift simultaneously addresses all these factors through a precise technique that produces natural and long-lasting results.

What are platysma bands?

The platysma is a thin, broad muscle that extends from the chest to the jawline, covering the entire anterior neck region. Over time, its inner borders separate and the muscle bands relax, forming vertical cords visible through the skin — especially when the person speaks, tenses the neck or looks upward. These bands are one of the most characteristic signs of cervical aging and do not disappear with non-surgical treatments or exercise.

The cervicomentonial angle: a sign of youth

In a young neck, the angle between the horizontal plane of the chin and the vertical plane of the neck is approximately 90° to 105°, creating a clean, defined profile. With aging, accumulated submental fat, platysma laxity and loss of skin elasticity obliterate that angle and create the appearance of a "double" or "sagging" neck. Restoring that angle is the central objective of the Necklift and one of the most striking and natural changes the procedure produces.

Who are candidates for the Necklift?

The Necklift is indicated for people with neck changes that affect their appearance and cannot be resolved with non-surgical treatments. I evaluate each case individually, but the following are the most common presentations:

• Visible platysma bands — vertical bands or muscle cords in the anterior neck region, especially noticeable when speaking or tensing the neck.
• Turkey neck — excess hanging skin in the submental and anterior cervical region, with loss of the natural neck contour.
• Loss of cervicomentonial angle — disappearance of the defined angle between neck and chin in the profile, with the appearance of neck and chin merging together.
• Persistent submandibular or submental fat — fat accumulation that does not respond to liposuction alone because the platysma muscle is also lax.
• Significant cervical skin laxity — skin with excess redundancy that can no longer be corrected with surface treatments or energy devices.
• People between 45 and 70 years old with good general health who desire a long-lasting and natural cervical rejuvenation.
• Patients undergoing a Deep Plane Facelift who want facial rejuvenation to also include the neck for a coherent, comprehensive result.

An important clarification: a standalone Necklift — without a facelift — can be an option when the face is in good condition but the neck shows significant laxity. However, in most cases neck changes accompany those of the lower third of the face, so the combination with the Deep Plane Facelift is the most frequent indication and the one that produces the most harmonious result.

The Necklift Surgical Technique

The Necklift is a more complex surgery than other isolated facial procedures because it requires working on multiple anatomical planes: the skin, the subplatysmal fat, and the platysma muscle. The technique used directly determines the quality and durability of the result. Below is the approach I use in my practice:

1. 1
   Pre-operative consultation and planning Complete neck evaluation from frontal, lateral and three-quarter views. Photographic analysis, platysma palpation and fat assessment. We plan whether the Necklift will be performed alone or in combination with the Deep Plane Facelift and other procedures, and define the surgical access points. Pre-operative studies are also requested.
2. 2
   General anesthesia or deep sedation When the Necklift is combined with the Deep Plane Facelift and other procedures — which is most common — it is performed under general anesthesia. This allows working with calm, precision and without time pressure from patient discomfort. The complete combined surgery lasts between 4 and 6 hours.
3. 3
   Submental incision and retroauricular access The Necklift requires two types of incisions: a small submental incision (2–3 cm, located in the natural crease under the chin, practically invisible) that allows direct access to the platysma and submandibular fat; and retroauricular incisions (behind the ears), used for lifting and removal of excess cervical skin. When combined with the Deep Plane Facelift, these incisions form part of the general facelift surgical plan.
4. 4
   Subplatysmal liposuction and fat removal Through the submental incision, direct liposuction of superficial and subplatysmal fat from the submental and submandibular region is performed. This is the fat responsible for the double chin and the loss of the cervicomentonial angle. Liposuction is performed beneath the platysma (subplatysmal) when fat accumulation is deep, or above the platysma in cases of more superficial fat.
5. 5
   Platysmaplasty (platysma muscle correction) Platysmaplasty is the central and most determinant step of the Necklift. The medial borders of the platysma muscle are released and sutured at the midline, correcting the visible bands and recreating the muscular contour of the neck. When the platysma borders are very separated or laxity is significant, the central suture is reinforced with additional deep stitches to favor a durable result. This step is what differentiates a true Necklift from simple cervical liposuction.
6. 6
   Excess skin removal and closure Once the muscle and fat are corrected, excess cervical skin is redistributed and precisely resected through the retroauricular incisions. Closure is performed without excessive tension — a fundamental principle — to avoid visible scars and an artificial "tight" appearance. Sutures are removed around day 15.

Recovery: the 15-day Buenos Aires protocol

Necklift recovery, when performed in combination with the Deep Plane Facelift, is more intense than that of isolated procedures. Post-operative swelling is greater and the active recovery period is longer. However, the results obtained more than justify the process. For patients traveling from abroad, the recommended protocol is as follows:

• Days 1 to 3 (admission or strict rest): the patient remains at rest with head elevated. Significant swelling, bruising in the neck and a feeling of tightness are normal. A cervical compression bandage is used. There is no significant pain thanks to post-operative analgesia.
• Days 4 to 7 (daily wound care at the clinic): daily check-ups and wound care at the clinic. Swelling begins to subside. The patient can shower carefully. The supportive neck bandage is maintained. Manual lymphatic drainage sessions begin.
• Days 8 to 14 (active recovery): progressive reduction of swelling. The patient can go out discreetly, wearing high-neck clothing if desired. The 10 lymphatic drainage sessions (billed separately) accelerate resolution of swelling and bruising. Activity is limited to gentle walks.
• Day 15 (suture removal and discharge): sutures are removed. The patient is fit to take a return flight home. At this point the initial recovery is complete: they can be presentable in an informal context with makeup.
• Weeks 3 to 4 (full recovery): return to full daily activity, including work and social activities. High-impact exercise is avoided for an additional 4 weeks.
• At 3–6 months (final result): residual swelling has fully resolved. Scars finish maturing. The final Necklift result — the redefined cervicomentonial angle, a smooth neck without bands — is completely visible and stable.

Results: long-lasting cervical rejuvenation

The Necklift result is one of the most striking and emotionally significant changes in all of facial rejuvenation surgery. The rejuvenated neck not only looks different from the front: it is in the profile where the change is most spectacular — the restored cervicomentonial angle redefines the silhouette and favors a rejuvenated profile.

Thanks to platysmaplasty, results are long-lasting, with a duration that varies from patient to patient. Muscle correction and fat removal produce real anatomical changes: the resected fat does not regenerate, while aging continues at its natural pace after surgery. The improved starting point is maintained for many years. Patients who combine the Necklift with the Deep Plane Facelift consistently report that the before-and-after difference is significant even many years after surgery.

From an aesthetic perspective, the goal is always a coherent, harmonious and natural result. The Necklift should not produce a "tight" neck or an artificially smooth appearance: it should look like the neck the person would have if the aging changes had not occurred. When combined with the facelift, the integrated face-and-neck result creates a global rejuvenation that is convincing precisely because it is harmonious.

Necklift Cost in Buenos Aires

The fee for a Necklift in my Buenos Aires practice is defined during the in-person valuation consultation, whether it is performed as a standalone procedure or — as in the vast majority of cases — in combination with the Deep Plane Facelift and other facial rejuvenation procedures. As a personalized medical service, we do not publish prices; the exact scope depends on case complexity and the procedures combined, and is arranged during the initial consultation.

When the Necklift is combined with the Deep Plane Facelift, temporal lift, blepharoplasty and Lip Lift in a single surgical session, the complete package is defined during the consultation. This combination represents significant savings compared to performing each procedure on separate dates — both economically and in terms of recovery time.

Note: The 10 post-operative manual lymphatic drainage sessions are billed separately from the surgical fee. We recommend including them in your trip and budget planning.

Why choose Buenos Aires for your Necklift?

Buenos Aires is one of the cities in the world with the greatest tradition and volume in aesthetic plastic surgery. The training of its surgeons, the standards of its operating rooms and the cost-quality equation it offers make it a premier destination for medical tourism, especially for complex facial rejuvenation procedures like the Necklift combined with the Deep Plane Facelift.

Palermo and Recoleta: the best neighborhood for your recovery

Dra. Jenny's clinic is located at Av. Santa Fe 3192, in the heart of the Palermo/Recoleta area — the most dynamic, safe and popular neighborhood in Buenos Aires. For those traveling from abroad, this location offers concrete advantages during the recommended 15-day stay:

• Quality Airbnbs at accessible prices — the area has a wide range of apartments with excellent price-quality ratio, far superior in comfort and price to hotels of similar category. Options within 5–10 minutes' walk of the clinic are easily available.
• Safe and walkable neighborhood — Palermo and Recoleta are the safest and best-maintained neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. During recovery, gentle walks are recommended, and the environment is ideal for that type of activity.
• Parque Las Heras steps away — one of the most beautiful and peaceful parks in Buenos Aires, ideal for the short walks recommended during recovery.
• First-rate gastronomy and cafés — the area has some of the city's best dining options, with variety and very accessible prices for those traveling with dollars or euros.
• Subway Line D — Scalabrini Ortiz station is less than 5 minutes' walk away, connecting the neighborhood to the entire city without needing taxis or ride-sharing.

The economic advantage of medical tourism in Argentina

The exchange rate and Argentine economic context mean that high-quality technical procedures like the Necklift combined with the Deep Plane Facelift are significantly more accessible in Buenos Aires than in the United States, Europe or even Brazil — without sacrificing quality or safety. A complete facial rejuvenation package with Dra. Jenny offers the same standards of care, operating room and supplies as leading international centers, at a far more accessible level.

Added to this is the possibility of recovering in a pleasant urban environment, with direct medical attention throughout the stay, in an accessible clinic and in a neighborhood designed to be enjoyed even in relative rest.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Necklift