Facelift + Neck Lift: Why Doing Both Might Actually Be the Smarter Move

It's not hard to spot when a face that looks years younger, paired with a wrinkled neck that just doesn't quite match. It's not a bad look, but it's not cohesive either.

This kind of mismatch happens more often than people expect. When most people think about facial surgery and finally take the leap to get work done, they focus on their sagging cheeks or deep folds, often forgetting the drooping skin just beneath the jawline. But aging doesn't happen in isolated zones. The lower face and neck age as a unit. And if you're only treating one, you're likely not getting the full benefit — aesthetically or financially.

Patients are starting to realize that combining a facelift and a neck lift often leads to a more natural result, and it can actually cost less in the long run.

Aging Doesn't Stop at the Jawline

A traditional facelift targets the lower two-thirds of the face. It typically includes softening nasolabial folds, tightening jowls, and improving jawline definition, but it doesn't address the skin or muscles under the chin or on the neck. For many patients, those areas are just as noticeable, and choosing not to tighten them up can leave you looking incomplete.

A neck lift steps in where a facelift stops. It deals with...

• Loose or sagging neck skin
• Vertical banding from the platysma muscle
• Fat deposits under the chin (sometimes called a "turkey wattle")

Together, a facelift and neck lift provide a more seamless and cohesive appearance, eliminating that telltale line where the firm face meets a looser neck.

The Cost Equation: Why Two-in-One Can Make More Sense

It's easy to assume that two procedures always mean a higher price, but here's the part that often surprises people: combining them can actually lower the overall cost compared to having them done separately.

This is because a big chunk of what you pay for surgery isn't just the procedure itself, it 's things like...

• Operating room fees
• Anesthesia
• Surgical staff
• Pre-op tests
• Recovery supplies
• Post-op visits

When you have two procedures at once, you're only paying for those fixed costs once. The actual surgical time increases, but not enough to double your expenses. For many patients, this results in significant savings, sometimes in the thousands.

One Recovery Period, Not Two

There's also the matter of downtime. A facelift usually requires about 10–14 days before you're back to normal activities, and several more weeks for residual swelling to fade. The same goes for a neck lift. If you space them apart, that means going through two healing cycles.

Combining procedures means you only have to deal with the healing process once, which also means less time off work, fewer post-op appointments, and less stress. For busy professionals, parents, or anyone who just wants to get back to their lives, that's a big advantage.

More Balanced Results — Now and Later

Another reason to consider combining is that aging never stops. If you correct the face now and wait a few years to address the neck, the contrast can become more noticeable over time. Your rejuvenated, refreshed face may start to make your untreated neck stand out even more since it didn't get the same clock-reversing effect.

Patients who’ve had both procedures together often report feeling like the results ‘belong’ to their face, rather than standing out as obviously surgical. When both areas are treated together, the results mature together, which often looks more natural in the long term.

When Is It Worth It?

Not every patient needs both procedures. If you're in your 30s, 40s, or early 50s with minimal neck aging, a facelift alone might give you what you're looking for. If you're starting to see...

• Sagging under the chin
• Loose neck skin
• Blurring of the jawline
• Muscle bands when you talk or smile

…a combined approach might be more effective.

A skilled surgeon will help you weigh the trade-offs. Make sure to do your research before getting any aesthetic surgeries done - not every surgeon is created equal.

Why This Conversation Matters

Aesthetic surgery is a big decision, especially when it comes to your face and neck. They are the first things people typically notice, and if you're going to have them rejuvenated, you should do so with a trustworthy surgeon and a plan of action that leaves you looking younger in a way that is harmonious and natural.

It's always best to ensure that areas that age together are treated together — so the outcome feels balanced and intentional, not partial.