The Top 5 Selected Hospitals for Neck Lift Surgery in New York City
New York City is a hub for advanced medical procedures, and neck lift surgery is no exception. Many individuals in 2025 are seeking to rejuvenate their appearance by addressing sagging skin, wrinkles, and other signs of aging in the neck area. Here, we present the top 5 hospitals for neck lift surgery in the city, each offering unique expertise and advanced techniques.
1. Mount Sinai - New York
Specialties and Expertise
Mount Sinai is renowned for its ear, nose, and throat (otolaryngology) – head and neck surgery department, which includes a specialized focus on neck lift procedures. Their facial plastic surgeons have in - depth knowledge of the aging process of the neck and are well - versed in the latest surgical techniques.
The laxity and sagging that develop as we age often manifest as loose skin and muscle in the neck, sometimes referred to as a “turkey waddle.” Mount Sinai surgeons aim to ensure a long - lasting, natural - looking, and rejuvenated appearance. Adjunctive procedures may be employed in addition to neck lift surgery, such as face lifting, brow lifting, mid - face lifting, and chin and cheek augmentation, to achieve an optimal outcome.
Surgical Process
Neck lift surgery at Mount Sinai is usually done on an outpatient basis at their private, ambulatory surgery center. Neck lifting can be performed under local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or a combination of local anesthesia and sedation.
Prior to surgery, patients are given instructions regarding medications and how to prepare for their recovery. After surgery, patients are usually given a short course of antibiotics and mild pain medication as some mild discomfort may persist for the first few days. Patients should expect to return to work or social activities within one to two weeks after surgery, and they are asked to avoid strenuous activities for two weeks after surgery.
Cost and Insurance
While cost is always a concern, insurance does not generally cover surgery or treatment that is done purely for cosmetic reasons. Mount Sinai provides patients with expected costs prior to any intervention, ensuring transparency.
2. Dr. Joshua Zimm - Neck Lift in Manhattan
Surgeon's Qualifications
Dr. Joshua Zimm is a board - certified facial plastic and reconstruction surgeon, as well as a board - certified otolaryngology — head and neck surgeon. He has a great understanding of the complex anatomy of the face and neck. He has received many acknowledgments and awards for his outstanding care and exceptional results, such as being selected as one of "America's top physicians" by the Consumer Research Council of America, a lifetime member of Strathmore's Who's Who, and the "Man of the Year in Medicine and Healthcare" by the American Biographical Institute.
Procedure Details
The neck lift procedure can be divided into a cervicoplasty or platysmaplasty. During cervicoplasty, laxity and sagging of the skin can be addressed using incisions around each ear to remove excess skin and fat from the jawline. A platysmaplasty or deep plane neck lift uses one incision to access the multiple layers of the neck, including skin, muscles, glands, fat, and connective tissue, to improve the tone and contour of the neck.
Candidacy and Consultation
Neck lift plastic surgery in New York City is ideal for men and women with unwanted sagging and fullness of the neck region. Ideal candidates should be in good physical and mental health without medical conditions that could significantly increase the risk of surgical complications. They should be non - smokers or be willing to quit to maximize the healing potential of the incisions. Having realistic expectations for the procedure is necessary to ensure the overall satisfaction of the surgery.
During the initial consultation, Dr. Zimm will discuss all options with the patient. Once an individualized plan is chosen, he will provide a detailed explanation of the total costs of the procedure, including post - operative appointments, post - surgical garments, and the surgeon’s fee, as well as fees associated with support staff and anesthesia. The cost of a neck lift in New York City can range from $10,000 to $20,000, but in some cases, it can exceed $20,000.
Recovery
During the first two weeks after a neck lift, swelling and bruising are common. Wearing a compression garment and sleeping with the head elevated are recommended to help reduce swelling. The majority of discomfort is described as tightness and numbness during the first two weeks and can be managed with over - the - counter medications. Strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects should be avoided during the healing process. The incisions are placed in natural lines under the chin or hidden from direct sight, and the scar will fade into a thin white line over the first six months to a year after the procedure. The final results can be appreciated in four to six months.
3. Dr. Richard Westreich - Neck Lift in NYC
Benefits of His Approach
As we age, the skin in the neck area progressively loses its elasticity and firmness, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and diminished volume, along with vertical banding and fullness under the chin. Dr. Westreich's neck lift can address these concerns by tightening the skin and underlying muscles, resulting in a more rejuvenated and youthful neck contour.
The benefits of a neck lift with Dr. Westreich include enhancing the firmness of sagging skin, minimizing vertical neck banding, having concealed incisions for minimal visibility, straightforward and manageable recovery, promoting a more youthful and welcoming look, eliminating surplus skin and fat, enhancing satisfaction with one’s appearance, and being effectively combined with other procedures like a facelift, Facetite, a minilift, or blepharoplasty.
Surgical Techniques
Dr. Westreich has mastered various surgical techniques and will choose the best path forward for each patient's individual concerns. During surgery, he will place incisions around the ears, in the hairline, and beneath the chin. He removes excess skin and fat and tightens the platysmal bands. Neck liposuction may be employed to increase definition and sculpting in the area, and Facetite may be used to add further tightening. The procedure typically takes 1 - 3 hours, depending on the extent of the work performed.
An option available exclusively to men is the direct neck lift. Rather than making the incisions around the ear and along the hairline, skin is removed from the center of the neck. The incision is closed using scar camouflage techniques to make it inconspicuous, and the recovery is much faster than with neck lifts or facelifts. It can also be combined with Facetite and can usually be done under local anesthesia.
Recovery and Candidacy
After the procedure, patients may experience some soreness and tightness around the neck, which can be managed with prescribed pain medications. It’s normal to have temporary numbness, swelling, bruising, and tingling sensation for a few hours or days. Numbness of the region can last several weeks. Dr. Westreich recommends that patients schedule approximately ten days off from their regular activities to properly heal the neck. Most patients can expect to resume their daily activities and work within two weeks.
Ideal candidates for neck lift surgery with Dr. Westreich often have excess neck skin or fat, sagging or loose skin, the desire for a defined jawline, a healthy overall lifestyle, realistic expectations, and are non - smokers for optimal healing.
4. Dr. John E. Sherman - Neck Lift in Manhattan
Comprehensive Approach
Dr. John E. Sherman, a board - certified plastic surgeon, performs neck lifts utilizing a comprehensive approach. A neck lift is a surgical procedure that improves the contours of the neck by tightening sagging skin, eliminating unwanted fullness, and reducing the appearance of muscle bands in the neck.
He focuses on improving the cervicomental angle, the angle where the underside of the chin meets the neck. The procedures he performs include submental liposuction, platysmaplasty or muscle tightening, and direct excision of platysma submental liposuction.
Procedure Breakdown
- Submental Liposuction: Patients troubled by fat deposits on the neck and under the chin can have them eliminated with submental liposuction. This procedure is performed in local anesthesia in the office opera room, takes approximately 35 to 40 minutes, and a small incision is made behind each ear lobe. Patients are sent home with an elastic chin strap to be worn for 2 to 3 days. It can be considered a “weekend procedure,” with patients back to work on Monday if performed on Friday.
- Platysmaplasty or Muscle Tightening: The platysma is the muscle that extends from each clavicle to the mandible. As we age, it weakens and separates, leading to the “turkey neck” and neck banding. An isolated platysmaplasty may be performed with a small inconspicuous incision below the chin and occasionally behind the ears to access and tighten the muscle.
- Direct Excision of Platysma Submental Liposuction: Some patients have a large redundant platysma below the chin with overlying fat. A direct excision in the midline portion of the neck can be performed. The procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia or sedation anesthesia if the patient desires, takes less than 2 hours, and the patient returns home with a chin support. Bruising varies, and return to work is possible in about one week.
Benefits and Consultation
The benefits of a neck lift with Dr. Sherman include increased confidence, a younger and more slender overall appearance, dramatic reduction or elimination of “turkey neck” and banding in the neck, improved jawline definition, elimination of lax skin and wrinkles on the neck, correction of a double chin, a longer and more elegant appearance for the neck, and concealed incisions.
A personal consultation at his Manhattan office is the first step to determine whether a neck lift is right for a patient. He will assess the patient's medical history, examine the skin and underlying structures of the neck, and recommend the best course of action based on the patient's specific concerns.
5. Dr. Sam Rizk - Neck Lift in NYC
Special Techniques
Dr. Sam Rizk is a highly experienced double - board - certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in facelift and neck lift surgery. His neck lift procedure creates a natural and youthful definition by lifting the sagging muscles of the neck and jaw.
Sometimes, a deep neck lift under the chin is performed, where he goes under the muscle to remove deep neck fat and/or modify deep neck muscles or submandibular glands to achieve a more defined angle and neck. He then sutures the platysma back to prevent neck cords from recurring. This can be done with a deep plane facelift or, in some cases, as an isolated procedure in younger patients. His ‘rapid recovery neck lift’ incorporates the use of endotine ribbon along with tissue glues, which results in a rapid recovery and creates a more natural lift with longer - lasting results.
Candidacy and Preparation
Patients who suffer from excess wrinkling or sagging of the skin on the neck, a double chin, jowl lines, or muscle banding in the neck that causes unnatural contours may be suitable candidates for a neck lift. They should be in good health and have realistic expectations regarding the outcome of the surgery.
Preparation for neck lift surgery begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Rizk, where he assesses the patient's medical history and discusses aesthetic goals. Based on this, he may recommend specific medical evaluations. Leading up to the procedure, patients should make lifestyle adjustments such as quitting smoking, avoiding certain medications, and maintaining a healthy diet. They should also arrange transportation home and assistance for the initial recovery days. Dr. Rizk will provide comprehensive pre - operative instructions, including fasting guidelines and any necessary medication adjustments.
Procedure and Recovery
Depending on the desired outcome, incisions are made near the hairline of the sideburns that continue down around the ear, and an incision under the neck may be necessary, especially if liposuction is to be performed. The underlying tissue of the neck is repositioned, fat may be removed or redistributed, and the skin is then draped back into place, with excess to be cut away.
After neck lift surgery with Dr. Rizk, patients can return to most daily activities 7 days after surgery, with minimal bruising and swelling. If they have longer hair, they can wear it up within two weeks without a visible scar. He incorporates the use of tissue glues rather than drains to allow faster healing with less bruising and swelling and to eliminate the pain, scarring, and discomfort associated with postoperative drains. He also advises on the best way to look after the patient during the recovery time and incorporates the use of various vitamins and herbal supplements to expedite recovery.
Comparison of the Top 5 Hospitals
Hospital/Surgeon | Specialties | Surgical Techniques | Recovery Time | Cost | Unique Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mount Sinai | Otolaryngology - head and neck surgery, comprehensive adjunctive procedures | Local, general, or combined anesthesia; outpatient surgery | 1 - 2 weeks to return to work, avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks | Insurance usually doesn't cover; upfront cost provided | In - depth knowledge of neck aging process, multiple adjunctive options |
Dr. Joshua Zimm | Facial plastic and reconstruction, otolaryngology | Cervicoplasty or platysmaplasty | Swelling and bruising for 2 weeks, final results in 4 - 6 months | $10,000 - $20,000 or more | Highly awarded surgeon, personalized treatment plan |
Dr. Richard Westreich | Neck lift addressing multiple age - related issues | Multiple incisions, possible neck liposuction and Facetite | Approximately 10 days off, resume daily activities in 2 weeks | Cost determined by individual case | Direct neck lift option for men |
Dr. John E. Sherman | Comprehensive neck rejuvenation | Submental liposuction, platysmaplasty, direct excision | Varies by procedure (e.g., “weekend procedure” for submental liposuction, about 1 week for direct excision) | Determined after personal consultation | Focus on cervicomental angle improvement |
Dr. Sam Rizk | Double - board - certified facial plastic surgery | Deep neck lift, rapid recovery neck lift | Return to daily activities in 7 days, wear hair up in 2 weeks | Discussed during consultation | Use of endotine ribbon and tissue glues for rapid recovery |
Considerations Before Choosing a Hospital for Neck Lift Surgery
Surgeon's Qualifications
It is crucial to choose a surgeon who is board - certified in relevant specialties such as facial plastic surgery or otolaryngology. Surgeons with additional training and experience in neck lift procedures are more likely to provide optimal results. Look for surgeons who have received awards and recognition for their work, as this is a sign of their expertise and patient satisfaction.
Techniques and Approaches
Different surgeons may use different surgical techniques for neck lift surgery. Some may focus on specific approaches such as cervicoplasty, platysmaplasty, or deep neck lifts. It is important to understand these techniques and discuss with the surgeon which one is most suitable for your specific concerns and goals.
Recovery Process
The recovery process can vary depending on the surgical technique used and the individual patient. Consider the length of time it will take to recover, the expected level of discomfort, and any restrictions on activities during the recovery period. Some hospitals and surgeons may offer more support and guidance during the recovery process, which can be beneficial for a smooth and successful recovery.
Cost
The cost of neck lift surgery is an important consideration