How Much Does A Neck Lift Cost?

Content Reviewed by AEDIT Medical Advisory Board

What is the average cost of a neck lift?

The average cost of a lower rhytidectomy (a.k.a. neck lift) procedure, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), was estimated between $5,100 to $5,800 in 2020, but there are various additional expenses (more on them below!) that need to be considered when looking into a procedure.

• Average Cost of Neck Lift (Lower Rhytidectomy): $5,100 - $5,800
• Price Range for Neck Lift (Lower Rhytidectomy): $750 - $12,700

For candidates considering a surgical neck lift, it is helpful to understand the numerous factors that affect the price of a neck lift plastic surgery procedure. The table below offers an overview of potential factors that will contribute to the final cost.

Factors to Consider in the Total Cost of a Neck Lift Procedure

What is a neck lift (lower rhytidectomy)?

Let’s move on into the nitty gritty. The most major factor in the cost of a neck lift is the type of procedure you choose to pursue. As you would expect, a more involved surgical neck lift procedure (like a direct neck lift, cervicoplasty, or platysmaplasty) will be more expensive than a less invasive thread lift. A less involved neck lift may eliminate the need for some of the high cost elements of a more intense surgical procedure (think: facility fees and anesthesiologist fees).

What affects the cost of a neck lift?

Let’s look at the factors we outlined above a little more specifically. Remember, we’re talking general estimates here. A consultation with the plastic surgeon you are considering provides the most accurate assessment of the probable cost of your procedure.

The following bullets can help you get an idea of the questions to ask and factors to consider when going into a consultation so you can feel empowered and informed throughout your plastic surgery experience.

• Neck Lift vs. Thread Lift: Surgical neck lifts are more expensive because they are more involved and require anesthesia and more expensive facility fees. A thread lift can usually be performed outpatient and under local anesthetics.
• Provider: A more experienced, board certified plastic surgeon or specialized provider will charge more for their time and skills. This can mean higher consultation fees (that may or may not be applied towards the cost of the actual procedure) and a higher overall cost.
• Anesthesiologist: As with the surgeon, experience and training will affect cost. General anesthesia is more expensive because it requires more expertise. Most local anesthetics do not need to be administered by an anesthesiologist.
• Location: Everything is more expensive on the coasts. This is true of plastic surgery too. The 2020 ASPS Report shows procedure occurrences by region. The east and west coasts accounted for 73 percent of all neck lifts performed in 2020. More procedures creates more experienced providers, which typically means higher procedure costs.
• Recovery: The recovery following a neck lift will vary considerably by technique, but may include prescriptions, recovery garments, follow ups, and time off from work.

There are numerous types of neck lifts and the most appropriate choice for a patient will be dependent on the candidate’s unique needs. The table below provides a brief overview specific to each procedure type.

Types of Neck Lifts and the Impact on Cost

What does the cost of a neck lift include?

So the variables have been reviewed. Now it’s time to see what your money actually gets you. The 2020 average cost between $5,100 to $5,800 did not include all of the various additional fees we’ve been discussing. Are you confused? It’s okay, we’ll clarify.

The cost of the surgeon’s time while they perform the actual neck lift is most often what gets quoted as the ‘average cost’ or ‘surgeon’s fee.’ Think of it as the hourly rate of your provider (not an exact comparison, but close enough). Also bear in mind your provider has their own business expenses, like rent, payroll, professional insurance, and office/medical supplies. This is on top of their personal salary.

The cost of the neck lift starts to rise as the additional factors are added in. The other medical staff in the room during your neck lift (like an anesthesiologist, nurses, or surgical assistants), the various medical supplies and tools used during your neck lift (think: needles, gauze, gowns, gloves, etc.), the medications administered before, during, and after your neck lift (possibly sedatives, painkillers, and/or antibiotics), and the fee for using the hospital or facility’s operating or procedure room.

Another variable: personal expenses. These may include consultation fees, travel, pre-operative care, missed work, and personally purchased recovery supplies for your comfort.

How much does a neck lift cost?

So, what kind of numbers are we actually talking about here? The table below has cost range estimates by specific neck lift procedure type. These ranges include all of the variables we’ve discussed (minus your personal expenses). The ranges are extensive, but they can help give you an idea of which neck lift types are more costly in general.

Average Neck Lift Cost by Procedure Type

How much does a neck lift cost across the United States?

It’s all about location! Where you live or have your procedure plays a very large role in the overall cost of a neck lift. The ASPS 2020 Statistics Report shows 73 percent of all neck lifts occur along the coasts. Given the high volume of neck lifts in these areas, plastic surgery costs in general tend to be higher along the coasts.

The table below breaks down cost of surgical neck lifts, like a direct neck lift, cervicoplasty, and platysmaplasty, by state. The numbers in this table are from zip codes selected from the capital of each listed state.

Average Neck Lift Cost by State

*these states are presented as national averages as specific information is not available

How much does a neck lift cost around the world?

For those considering pursuing a neck lift surgery abroad, the table below looks at average costs in a few select countries around the world. Remember to add in travel costs, the reputation of the provider and facility, and any expenses related to recovery times when reviewing the cost difference. The table below reflects costs converted to U.S. dollars for surgical neck lifts.

Average Neck Lift Cost by Country in USD

Does insurance cover the cost of a neck lift?

Does insurance cover my procedure? It’s a common question, and the answer is not so simple… it’s maybe. To better answer this question, we’ve got two definitions from the American Medical Association (AMA):

• Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures for reshaping normal structures for improved appearance and self-esteem.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures performed on abnormal body structures resulting from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, disease, infection, or tumors.

The difference in the definitions is the distinction. Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance, but reconstructive surgeries may be. In the case of a neck lift, there is hardly ever a functional reason to perform the surgery. Given the cosmetic nature of neck lifts, insurance is not going to assist with costs.

Some cosmetic procedures are covered if there is documented medical necessity and evidence that alternative therapies have been tried and failed. The ASPS has more specific criteria you can review with a provider during your consultation. A hybrid procedure that is aesthetic and functional may not be covered even though there is a functional benefit.