26 Feb 2026 | by Akshay Sanan, MD, FACS
The neck has become a focal point for many people these days. It’s always served an important aesthetic function as the conduit between your face and your upper torso. Physically, it literally supports your head and is also what allows it to move in all directions. For these reasons, the neck has always been one of the hardest working parts of the body. However, our current screen-focused lifestyle has seriously ramped up its workload. Add in the fact that most of us are looking at ourselves on Zoom or FaceTime multiple times a day, often at a less than flattering angle, and it makes sense that neck lift inquiries are on the rise at my Boston area offices.
As a Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, I have extensive experience in all neck lift techniques, including the cutting-edge Deep Plane Neck Lift. I understand the ins and outs of each and am always very honest about the recovery. Here is what you can expect after a neck lift.
Neck Lift Recovery Dictated by Needs
When it comes to rejuvenating the neck, there are a number of different surgical techniques. The right one for you is always going to depend on your individual anatomy, aesthetic goals and lifestyle. This is why I am adamant about the importance of scheduling an in-person neck lift consultation. During our meeting, I will listen to what bothers you about the appearance of your face and neck. We will discuss your medical history, family history, any prior procedures, including injectables, as well as how your body recovered. I will perform a thorough physical exam to assess:
- Skin tone & texture
- Degree of skin laxity
- Areas of excess fat
- Transition of lower face to neck
- Presence of vertical platysma muscles, if applicable
The neck and the lower face work together. While a younger patient with less skin laxity may be able to have a stand-alone neck lift, I generally combine a neck lift with a lower facelift. The incisions are the same, located behind the ears and in the hairline, and it allows me the most access to rejuvenate your:
- Chin/neck juncture
- Improve “jowling”
- Lift sagging cheeks/mid-face
- Eradicate horizontal and vertical neck lines
Since this combination is more in-depth, it requires more downtime especially if we also need to tighten any loose neck muscles.
Realistic Neck Lift Recovery Timeline in Boston
The extent of your neck lift recovery is going to depend, in part, on your genetics. Everyone heals at his or her own rate. This is why I spend so much time during our initial meetings discussing how your body has recovered from any prior procedures, surgical or non-surgical. As mentioned, the extent of your recovery is also going to depend on your specific neck lift treatment plan. In general, you will experience swelling, tightness and bruising for the first 1-2 weeks. Most patients would describe this time as uncomfortable but not necessarily painful. I typically remove any sutures at 7-14 days. Most of my neck lift patients feel comfortable returning to social activities at 2-3 weeks. You can generally return to light exercise at week 2, but I do ask you to avoid anything strenuous until I give the go-ahead. While about 80% of your healing will occur in the first 2-3 months, it can take 3 months or longer for your neck contour to fully resolve. Furthermore, some patients do feel lingering numbness and tightness for longer than 3 months. This is normal, but it is important to check-in regularly with myself and my team so we can continue to monitor your healing closely.
To find out more about a neck lift, deep plane neck lift, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Akshay Sanan at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation.
