Male Neck Lift by Dr Turner in Sydney & Brisbane

Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) practising in Sydney and Brisbane with over a decade of experience specialising in facial aesthetic surgery. At his clinics, Dr Turner offers male neck lift procedures specifically designed to address the unique anatomical characteristics and ageing patterns of male patients.

The male neck presents distinct surgical challenges compared to female anatomy. Men possess substantially thicker cervical skin, dense beard follicle networks, increased platysma muscle bulk, and heightened tissue vascularity—characteristics that directly influence technique selection and post-operative management. Conventional neck-lift methods, designed primarily for female patients, often yield unsatisfactory outcomes when applied to men without appropriate modification.

Understanding Male Neck Lift Surgery

What is Male Neck Lift Surgery?

Male neck lift surgery (lower rhytidectomy or platysmaplasty) is a surgical procedure that addresses descended tissues, redundant skin, and structural changes in the cervical region. The procedure involves tightening the platysma muscle layer, contouring submental fat deposits, and repositioning tissues to restore definition along the mandibular border and the cervicomental angle—the transition zone between the chin and the neck. The ideal cervicomental angle typically ranges from 90 to 105 degrees, creating a defined transition that enhances masculine facial aesthetics and jawline prominence.

Male Cervical Anatomy: Key Surgical Considerations

The anatomical differences in male patients directly influence surgical planning and technique selection:

Skin and Tissue Characteristics: Male cervical skin measures approximately 20-25% thicker than female skin, with elevated collagen density and increased sebaceous gland activity. Whilst this provides advantages such as reduced fine wrinkling, the heavier tissue weight demands robust structural support during surgery. The thicker dermal composition means male patients experience different healing characteristics and scar maturation, requiring modified closure techniques and specific post-operative management.

Beard Distribution: Hair follicles extend deep into the dermis and subcutaneous layers throughout the lower face and anterior neck. Incision placement must account for beard-bearing skin to prevent hair from being repositioned into inappropriate locations. When combined, facelift incisions are placed in front of the ear and tragus (pre-tragal position) rather than within the ear, as is common in female facelift surgery—this specifically prevents beard-bearing skin from being repositioned into the ear canal.

Platysma Muscle: Men typically possess greater platysma bulk, contributing to overall tissue weight. The muscle separates more prominently along the midline in men, creating visible vertical bands—a common presenting concern that requires comprehensive platysmaplasty. These bands are often visible at rest and may become more pronounced with facial expression or certain neck movements.

Vascularity: The combination of thicker skin and dense follicle networks results in substantially increased blood supply. This elevates the statistical risk of post-operative haematoma, influencing drain usage and monitoring protocols. This elevated bleeding risk is one of the most important distinguishing factors between male and female neck lift surgery and directly justifies the recommendation for overnight hospital observation.

Skeletal Framework: Larger, more angular mandibles, stronger hyoid prominence, and more defined thyroid cartilage create distinct soft-tissue support patterns that influence how cervical tissues descend with age. These structural characteristics mean male tissues descend in a different pattern than female tissues, requiring specific consideration during surgical planning.

How Male Cervical Ageing Differs

Neck-Predominant Presentation: Many men first observe significant ageing in the cervical region—platysmal banding, submental fat accumulation, loss of cervicomental definition—before experiencing substantial midface descent. Consequently, isolated neck lift surgery represents a more frequently appropriate option for male patients than for women.

Jowl and Submental Changes: Men commonly develop prominent jowling along the mandibular border, exacerbated by heavier tissue weight. Fat deposits beneath the chin accumulate more substantially, creating the appearance widely described as a ‘double chin’ even in otherwise lean individuals. The combination of heavy cervical tissues and gravitational forces means submental fullness often appears earlier in male patients than in female patients during ageing.

Skin Quality and Deep Structural Changes: The thicker dermal layer often preserves skin texture better than in women of similar age. However, deeper structural changes—such as platysma separation and fat descent—may be more pronounced. This distinction is clinically important because a male patient may have excellent skin quality whilst simultaneously developing significant deeper structural concerns requiring surgical correction.

Neck Lift Alone vs. Combined Face and Neck Lift

Neck Lift Alone vs. Combined Face and Neck Lift

Male patients are more frequently appropriate candidates for isolated neck surgery due to the neck-predominant ageing pattern—those with significant cervical concerns (platysmal banding, submental fullness, loss of cervicomental definition) without substantial jowling may be suitable for neck lift alone. However, many men also demonstrate concurrent lower face changes that, if unaddressed, can lead to an imbalanced outcome; combined procedures may include a deep plane facelift, SMAS facelift, or short-scar facelift, depending on the degree of correction required. During consultation, Dr Turner performs a comprehensive facial assessment to determine the optimal approach.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for a Male Neck Lift?

Male neck lift surgery is appropriate for men experiencing moderate to significant cervical ageing who seek surgical correction. Appropriate candidate selection considers both anatomical suitability for the procedure and individual capacity to undergo surgery safely.

Physical Health Requirements

Suitable male neck lift candidates demonstrate:

• Good general health without uncontrolled medical conditions that could compromise surgical safety or healing capacity
• Stable cardiovascular health is essential as male patients face elevated bleeding risks requiring careful blood pressure management. Strict blood pressure control throughout the perioperative period is critical—maintaining systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg significantly reduces haematoma formation, whilst elevated blood pressure above 150/100 mmHg increases haematoma risk by approximately 2.6 times
• Normal blood clotting function without reliance on anticoagulant medications that cannot be safely discontinued
• Stable body weight maintained for at least six months before surgery
• Non-smoking status or absolute commitment to cease all tobacco and nicotine products for a minimum of eight weeks before and after surgery

Anatomical Indications

Male neck lift surgery effectively addresses:

• Platysma muscle laxity with visible vertical banding in the anterior neck
• Loss of the cervicomental angle definition (the neck-chin transition)
• Submental fat accumulation creates fullness beneath the chin
• Excess cervical skin creating folds or redundancy
• Jowl formation extending into the cervical region
• Blurring of the mandibular border and jawline definition

Psychological Readiness

Successful outcomes require:

• Realistic expectations about achievable improvements and understanding of procedure limitations
• Motivation driven by personal desire rather than external pressure from partners, employers, or social expectations
• Acceptance that surgical results, whilst long-lasting, do not halt the ageing process
• Psychological evaluation as mandated by Australian regulations, effective 1 July 2023, ensuring emotional suitability for cosmetic surgery

How is Male Neck Lift Surgery Performed?

Male neck lift surgery is performed exclusively under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited private hospital facility, with continuous monitoring by a qualified consultant anaesthetist throughout the procedure. Given the technical requirements of male cervical surgery, operative duration typically ranges from 2 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of correction required and whether complementary procedures are performed concurrently. Dr Turner recommends overnight hospital admission for all male neck lift patients—this extended observation period addresses the statistically elevated haematoma risk associated with male cervical surgery.

Pre-Operative Planning and Marking

Your procedure begins with detailed surgical planning and marking performed whilst you remain awake and upright. Dr Turner identifies and marks precise incision placement, accounting for your individual beard distribution and hairline pattern, platysma muscle treatment zones based on band prominence and tissue characteristics, areas requiring fat removal or contouring, and critical anatomical structures, including facial nerve branches and major vessels.

Incision Design: Accommodating Male Anatomy

Incision placement in male neck lift surgery requires specific modifications to accommodate facial hair and male hairline characteristics:

Post-Auricular Incisions: Placed in the natural crease behind each ear, these incisions extend along the posterior hairline. The extent of posterior extension depends on the degree of lateral neck laxity requiring correction. Men with minimal lateral skin excess may be suitable for limited incisions that terminate at or just behind the earlobe.

Pre-Auricular Approach: When combined face-neck lifting is performed, incisions are placed in front of the ear and tragus (pre-tragal position) rather than within the ear as is common in female facelift surgery. This prevents beard-bearing skin from being repositioned into the ear canal, which would create visible hair growth in an unnatural location.

Submental Access: A small horizontal incision beneath the chin, positioned within the natural submental crease, provides direct access to central neck structures. This access point enables platysmaplasty, fat removal, and the treatment of midline muscle banding.

Surgical Technique Overview

Step 1 – Incision and Dissection: Following anaesthetic induction and surgical preparation, incisions are created at planned locations. The skin and subcutaneous tissue are carefully elevated to expose the platysma muscle layer. Dissection proceeds in the appropriate tissue plane to preserve blood supply whilst allowing adequate mobilisation for later repositioning. Meticulous attention to haemostasis is maintained throughout to minimise blood loss and reduce the risk of haematoma.

Step 2 – Fat Management: Excess superficial fat above the platysma muscle is addressed by direct excision or liposuction. Submental fat deposits that contribute to fullness beneath the chin are contoured to improve definition. Careful fat removal provides a stronger foundation for subsequent muscle work whilst avoiding over-reduction that could create an unnatural appearance.

Step 3 – Platysmaplasty: The separated platysma muscle edges in the neck midline are identified and sutured together (medial plication), eliminating visible vertical bands and creating a smooth anterior neck contour. This technique, sometimes termed ‘corset platysmaplasty,’ involves suturing the separated muscle edges to achieve both aesthetic improvement and robust structural support. The lateral portions of the muscle are elevated and secured to stable fixed points posterior to the ears (lateral suspension), providing horizontal vector tightening. This combined approach addresses both midline banding and lateral laxity.

Step 4 – Skin Redraping and Excision: Following completion of deeper structural work, the skin is gently repositioned posteriorly and superiorly. The degree of skin advancement is carefully judged to create smooth contours without excessive tension—particularly important in male patients, where thick skin under tension is associated with an increased risk of complications. Redundant skin is conservatively excised, and wound edges are precisely approximated.

Step 5 – Drain Placement and Closure: Surgical drains are routinely placed in male patients to reduce haematoma risk, typically removed within 24-48 hours once drainage diminishes to acceptable levels (usually less than 20-30 millilitres per eight-hour period). Incisions are closed in multiple layers using fine sutures designed to optimise scar quality. Compressive dressings and a supportive cervical garment are applied to minimise swelling and support healing tissues.

Complementary Procedures

Male neck lift surgery is frequently combined with additional procedures to achieve comprehensive improvement:

Chin Augmentation: Inadequate chin projection contributes to poor neck definition regardless of cervical tissue management. When anatomical assessment reveals chin deficiency, augmentation through implant placement or fat grafting enhances the cervicomental angle and improves overall facial balance.

Facelift Surgery: Men with concurrent jowling or lower face descent typically achieve superior outcomes through combined face-neck lifting rather than isolated neck surgery. Options include the deep-plane facelift or the Face+ Signature Facelift, which comprehensively addresses ageing changes in a single recovery period.

Facial Fat Grafting: Age-related volume loss in the midface and periorbital regions can be addressed through strategic fat transfer. Restoring depleted facial volume creates a more balanced, harmonious result when combined with cervical contouring.

Eyelid Surgery: Upper or lower blepharoplasty addresses ageing changes around the eyes that contribute to overall facial appearance. Combining procedures enables coordinated improvement during a single surgical episode.

Recovery and aftercare

Following your male neck lift, you will remain in the hospital overnight for monitoring. This extended observation period is recommended for male patients, given the statistically elevated haematoma risk associated with thicker, more vascular cervical tissues. The first 14 days represent the most intensive healing period, with swelling and bruising typically peaking at 48-72 hours before gradually improving. During this early phase, maintaining continuous head elevation, wearing the compression garment as directed, and avoiding activities that could elevate blood pressure are essential. Surgical drains are typically removed within 24-48 hours, and sutures are removed progressively during the first two weeks. Men should avoid shaving the neck and lower face until cleared by Dr Turner, typically around 10-14 days post-operatively.

By weeks two to three, most men can return to sedentary work, though visible swelling and bruising may persist. Vigorous exercise and heavy lifting remain restricted until 6-8 weeks post-operatively. Your complete result becomes fully apparent at 3-6 months when all swelling resolves, sensation returns to normal, and incision lines mature to their final appearance. 

For detailed information about each recovery milestone, please visit our comprehensive resource: Recovery After Neck Lift Surgery.

Risks and Complications

All surgical procedures involve inherent risks that must be thoroughly understood before proceeding with treatment. Male neck lift surgery carries certain risks that warrant special attention due to the anatomical characteristics of male cervical tissues. Most notably, haematoma (post-operative bleeding requiring intervention) occurs approximately 2-3 times more frequently in men compared to women—a consequence of thicker, more vascular tissues and often higher baseline blood pressure. Dr Turner employs specific protocols to minimise this risk, including meticulous surgical haemostasis, routine drain placement, overnight hospital observation, and strict blood pressure management throughout the post-operative period.

Most patients experience expected post-operative effects, including swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, and mild discomfort—these typically resolve naturally during the healing process. Potential complications may include infection, unfavourable scarring, prolonged altered sensation, asymmetry, or skin healing difficulties (particularly in patients who smoke). More serious but uncommon risks include nerve injury affecting facial movement or sensation (typically temporary, resolving within 3-6 months), skin necrosis, and adverse anaesthetic reactions. Through meticulous surgical technique, comprehensive pre-operative assessment, surgery exclusively in accredited facilities, and detailed post-operative protocols, Dr Turner minimises these risks whilst optimising patient safety and surgical outcomes.

For comprehensive information about specific risks and preventive measures, please visit our detailed guide: Risks and Complications After Neck Lift Surgery.