The Dreaded Turkey Neck

Think of skin like a well-stretched piece of elastic. When it’s young, it snaps back into shape. But over the years, collagen and elastin, the proteins that give skin its firmness and bounce, gradually break down. Gravity does the rest, pulling that once-taut skin downward. The result is the visible looseness and sagging that defines turkey neck.

“Neck and lower face rejuvenation is among the most transformative procedures in facial plastic surgery, and among the most commonly requested.”

In 2024 alone, well over 100,000 surgical procedures were performed in the United States to address this concern. That number doesn’t include the many thousands more who pursued non-surgical alternatives. You are far from alone in wanting to do something about it.

Your Surgical Options: A Clear Breakdown

Most patients considering surgical treatment are between the ages of 40 and 90. The procedures used to address turkey neck fall under the broader umbrella of a Lower Rhytidectomy or Platysmaplasty, technical terms for a neck lift. Below are the three most common surgical approaches Dr. Kim may recommend, depending on your unique anatomy and goals.

Option 1: Skin Excision (Removal of Excess Skin)

In some cases, the most straightforward approach is simply removing the excess skin. This involves a small incision beneath the chin, which may leave a faint scar, though it’s typically well-concealed.

This option is often well-suited for older male patients who are more concerned with eliminating the sagging appearance than with minimizing visible scarring. It’s direct, effective, and avoids more extensive surgery.

Option 2: Skin-Only Lift (Superficial Lift)

For women and younger men who prefer to avoid visible scarring, a skin-only lift offers a less invasive alternative. Because this approach works at a more superficial layer, lifting and repositioning the skin without addressing deeper tissue, recovery tends to be shorter.

However, this procedure is best suited to patients whose skin still has good underlying tone and texture. If your skin retains reasonable elasticity, this approach can produce beautifully natural results. Dr. Kim is careful never to overtighten the skin, the goal is always a refreshed, natural appearance, not one that looks “done.”

Option 3: Deep Plane Neck Lift (The Gold Standard)

The deep plane neck lift is the most comprehensive and most popular option for neck rejuvenation. Rather than working only with the skin, this technique goes deeper, addressing both the skin and the underlying platysma muscle (the broad, flat muscle that runs along the front of the neck).

Think of it like renovating a house: a surface-only fix addresses the paint, but a deep plane lift restructures the framework underneath. By repositioning both layers, Dr. Kim can achieve results that look more natural, last longer, and move more gracefully with your face as you age.

The goal of every neck lift Dr. Kim performs is simple: to restore your natural youthfulness, with no indication that surgery ever took place.

How Long Will Your Results Last?

One of the most common questions patients ask is: “Will I have to do this again?” The good news is that surgical neck lifts offer long-lasting results, often measured in years, not months.

Deep plane neck and facelifts tend to deliver the most durable outcomes, as they address the structural causes of sagging rather than simply treating the surface. That said, no procedure can stop the natural aging process entirely. Factors like your age at the time of surgery, skin quality, sun exposure, and lifestyle habits (such as smoking) will all play a role in how long your results remain optimal.

Many patients enjoy their results for a decade or more, and some find that even after time passes, they still look significantly better than they would have without the procedure at all.

Recovery and Cost: What to Realistically Expect

Recovery

Recovery from a neck lift is more manageable than many patients expect. Here’s a general timeline:

• Week 1: This is typically the most challenging period. Swelling is at its peak, and most patients wear a supportive dressing or binding around the neck. Most people prefer to stay home during this time.
• Weeks 2–4: Swelling gradually subsides. Many patients feel comfortable venturing out, especially with light makeup or scarves, within two weeks.
• By one month: The vast majority of patients feel fully comfortable re-entering their normal social and professional lives.

Full healing, including the complete resolution of subtle swelling and the final settling of results, can take several months, but this is largely invisible to others.

Cost

The cost of a neck lift varies based on the complexity of the procedure and the individual patient’s anatomy. Generally speaking, the deeper the surgical plane, and therefore the greater the expertise required, the higher the investment.

Dr. Kim’s team will provide a transparent, personalized cost estimate during your consultation. Think of this not just as a financial investment, but as an investment in how you feel every time you look in the mirror.

Beyond the Neck: Complementary Structural Solutions

Turkey neck doesn’t always originate in the neck itself. Sometimes the underlying cause is structural, rooted in the bones or deeper tissues of the face. During a consultation, Dr. Kim evaluates the full picture.

For example, many patients don’t realize that a recessed or weak chin can actually make neck skin appear to sag more dramatically. In these cases, a chin implant or a procedure called a genioplasty, where the chin bone is surgically advanced, can create a more defined jawline and dramatically improve the neck’s appearance without a neck lift at all.

Similarly, changes to the cheekbones or the repositioning of the buccal fat pad (a small pocket of fat in the mid-cheek) have become increasingly popular options for patients dealing with facial sagging that contributes to neck concerns. These techniques address the effects of gravity at the mid-face level, lifting the overall appearance and reducing the downward pull on the neck.

A skilled surgeon doesn’t just treat the symptom; they evaluate the whole face to find the most natural, lasting solution.

Are Fillers a Good Option? The Honest Answer

You may have heard of the “Liquid Facelift”, a technique that uses injectable fillers to restore volume and create a subtly lifted appearance without surgery. And in the right patient, it genuinely works.

The honest limitation: fillers are most effective when the effects of gravity are still modest. If your skin retains reasonable elasticity and the sagging is early-stage, strategic filler placement can create a more lifted, youthful look without any downtime.

However, for patients with more significant sagging or skin laxity, fillers alone are unlikely to deliver the transformation they’re hoping for. In some cases, adding volume to loose skin can actually make the problem appear worse. During your consultation, Dr. Kim will always give you a candid, honest assessment of what fillers can and cannot achieve for your specific concerns.

Radiofrequency (RF) Treatments: A Non-Surgical Alternative

Radiofrequency technology uses controlled energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and delivering a mild tightening effect. It’s completely non-invasive, requires no downtime, and has become a popular option for patients who are not yet ready for surgery.

To put the results in perspective: RF tightening typically works at the millimeter level. That’s a meaningful improvement for someone in the early stages of neck laxity, but it won’t replicate what surgery can achieve for someone with significant sagging.

RF is best thought of as a preventative or maintenance tool. If you’re proactive about your skin health and the effects of gravity are still mild, a series of RF treatments can help slow the progression and maintain a smoother, firmer appearance over time.

Are You a Good Candidate? What Dr. Kim Looks For.

The best outcomes, in any surgery, come from the right patient at the right time. Here’s what Dr. Kim evaluates when determining candidacy for a neck lift:

• Good overall health: Patients who are in sound medical condition and free of conditions that could complicate healing tend to recover most smoothly.
• Non-smoker (or willing to quit): Smoking significantly impairs circulation and wound healing. Patients who smoke or vape are strongly advised to stop well in advance of any procedure.
• Realistic expectations: A neck lift can produce genuinely transformative results, but it works with your anatomy, not against it. Dr. Kim will always show you realistic projections and never promise outcomes that can’t be delivered.
• Emotional and psychological stability: This may surprise some patients, but Dr. Kim takes this seriously. Major life stressors, such as a recent loss, divorce, or period of significant upheaval, can affect the recovery experience and the patient’s overall satisfaction. Dr. Kim genuinely cares about his patients’ whole well-being, and he will sometimes counsel a patient to wait until life has stabilized before proceeding.

When a patient is physically healthy, emotionally grounded, and approaching the procedure with clear, realistic goals, the results and the experience are almost always exceptional.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Deciding to address turkey neck is a personal journey, and there is no single right answer that fits everyone. Whether you’re exploring surgical options, considering a non-invasive approach, or simply looking to understand your choices, the most important first step is a conversation with a surgeon you trust.

Dr. Michael K. Kim brings both technical mastery and genuine compassion to every consultation. He will take the time to understand your goals, evaluate your anatomy honestly, and present a clear plan tailored specifically to you, with no pressure and no one-size-fits-all recommendations.

You deserve to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Kim today, and take the first step toward looking as vibrant as you feel.