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Neck Lift St. Louis
A neck lift can tighten loose, sagging skin, smooth vertical banding, and restore a defined angle between the jaw and neck – performed by Dr. Brandon T. Beal, fellowship-trained in facial plastic & reconstructive surgery.
Double board-certified
Dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery
Fellowship-trained
Facial plastic & reconstructive surgery — Zitelli & Brodland
Physician-owned
Independent practice — never corporate
Established 2020
Serving Troy, Lincoln County, and beyond
What is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift is a surgical procedure that addresses the changes many people notice below the jaw before anywhere else: loose, sagging skin, vertical bands running down the front of the neck, and a softened angle where the jawline used to be. Because the neck’s supporting muscle — the platysma — loosens and separates with age, lasting correction means working at that muscle layer, not just the skin.
Two Surgical Approaches
Dr. Beal performs both platysmaplasty — tightening and re-joining the platysma muscle bands to smooth the front of the neck and sharpen the neck angle — and deep plane neck lifts, which reposition the deeper tissue more comprehensively for more advanced laxity. Which approach fits you depends on your anatomy and goals; both are discussed at your consultation, including what each involves and costs.
What a Neck Lift Can Address
- Loose, sagging skin under the chin and along the neck
- Vertical platysmal bands (“cords”) down the front of the neck
- A blunted or undefined jaw-to-neck angle
- Fullness beneath the chin that diet and exercise don’t change
Who is a Good Candidate?
Good candidates are healthy adults bothered by neck laxity or banding — often people who feel their face still looks like them, but their neck gives away more years than it should. Whether a neck lift alone, a combined plan, or a different approach fits best is exactly what a consultation determines.
The Neck Lift Process
1
Consultation & Planning
You meet privately with Dr. Beal to discuss what bothers you about your neck and what you hope to see. He examines your skin quality, muscle banding, and neck anatomy, recommends the approach that fits — platysmaplasty or deep plane — and covers anesthesia, logistics, and cost.
2
The Procedure
Incisions are placed discreetly — typically in the crease beneath the chin and concealed around the ears. The platysma muscle is tightened, deeper tissue is repositioned as your plan calls for, and excess skin is removed without tension, closed with the meticulous technique Dr. Beal uses in facial reconstructive surgery.
3
Recovery
Swelling, bruising, and a feeling of tightness are expected early on and settle over the first couple of weeks. Most patients plan one to two weeks away from work and social commitments. Your exact timeline depends on the extent of your procedure — you’ll have clear written instructions and direct follow-up with our team.
4
Results
A smoother neck and more defined jawline emerge as swelling resolves — noticeably within weeks, refining over several months. Results are long-lasting, though a neck lift can’t stop the aging process. Results vary by individual.
Individualized careEvery surgical plan is individualized, and results vary. A consultation is required to determine whether a neck lift is right for you.
Often Combined With
The face and neck age together, which is why a neck lift is so often planned alongside a facelift — addressing the jowls and midface in the same surgical session as the neck. Fat grafting can restore lost volume to complement the lift, and lower eyelid blepharoplasty refreshes the under-eye area surgery below the jaw doesn’t touch. Dr. Beal will tell you honestly whether combining procedures serves your goals — or whether the neck alone is the right scope.
Why a Facial Reconstructive Surgeon for Your Neck Lift
Dr. Beal’s fellowship at Zitelli & Brodland — one of the nation’s leading programs — trained him in facial plastic & reconstructive surgery alongside Mohs micrographic surgery. His daily surgical work demands precise knowledge of the anatomy of the face and neck — nerves, blood supply, and natural skin lines — and closing incisions so they heal as discreetly as possible. A neck lift draws on exactly that skill set, applied with a conservative, natural-result philosophy.
Schedule a Neck Lift Consultation
A private consultation is the right first step — an honest conversation about your goals and the approaches that fit them. We welcome patients from across the St. Louis region, including O’Fallon and St. Charles, at our Troy office — and our second location in Chesterfield. Call (314) 834-1400 or request a consultation online.
Common questions
Neck lift FAQs.
Do I need a neck lift or a facelift?
It depends on where the changes that bother you live. If it’s jowls and sagging cheeks, a facelift is the answer; if it’s loose neck skin, banding, and a lost jaw-to-neck angle, a neck lift addresses it directly. Many patients benefit from both in one plan — and a consultation will give you a straight answer about which applies to you.
What are the bands on my neck?
The vertical cords that appear with age are edges of the platysma muscle, which loosens and separates over time. Because they’re muscle, skin treatments can’t fix them — platysmaplasty addresses them at their source by tightening and re-joining the muscle itself.
Where are the incisions?
Typically in the natural crease beneath the chin and concealed around the ears, where they’re least noticeable. Dr. Beal’s reconstructive background centers on closing incisions so they heal as discreetly as possible. Scars typically fade significantly as they mature; healing varies by individual.
How long do neck lift results last?
Results are long-lasting — typically measured in years — because the correction happens at the muscle layer, not just the skin. Aging continues from a better starting point, and longevity varies with skin quality, genetics, and lifestyle.
Is a neck lift covered by insurance? What does it cost?
A neck lift is a cosmetic procedure and isn’t covered by insurance. Cost depends on the surgical approach, the extent of your procedure, and whether it’s combined with others, so it’s quoted individually at your consultation — you’ll have clear numbers before making any decision.
Ready to redefine your neckline?
Start with an honest, private consultation with a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon. Troy, MO — and Chesterfield now open.