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Loose neck skin, visible muscle bands, and excess fat beneath the chin can make you look older or heavier than you feel. A neck lift in Washington, D.C., can improve these concerns by tightening and contouring the tissues beneath your jawline.

At Capital Center®, Dr. Armando Retana develops a personalized surgical plan based on your facial structure, skin quality, and aesthetic goals. His approach focuses on creating a smooth, contoured neck and a balanced transition from your face to your jawline and profile.

See the Difference: Neck Lift Before & After Photos

Before and after photos can help you understand the types of changes a neck lift procedure may produce. When reviewing results, pay attention to the angle between the chin and neck, jawline definition, neck bands, and the amount of sagging skin.

Photos can help guide your expectations, but they cannot predict your exact outcome. Your anatomy, skin elasticity, aging pattern, and surgical plan will all influence your results.

Neck Lift Cost in Washington, D.C., & Flexible Financing Options

Capital Center® lists an estimated cost for a neck lift in Washington, D.C., of $9,000 to $11,000. The ultimate price will depend on the complexity of your surgery, the concerns you want to address, and the techniques included in your treatment plan.

Your estimate may account for:

  • The extent of extra skin
  • The amount and location of excess fat deposits
  • The presence of visible neck bands
  • Muscle tightening
  • Surgical facility costs
  • General anesthesia
  • Post-operative appointments and care

Capital Center® accepts major credit cards, checks, cash, ACH transfers, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and CareCredit®. Credit card payments may include a 3 percent processing fee.

A treatment coordinator will provide a personalized cost estimate after Dr. Retana evaluates you and recommends a surgical plan.

Doctors

Why Choose Capital Center® for Your Neck Lift?

Dr. Retana holds board certifications from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. His surgical background gives him a detailed understanding of facial anatomy, structural relationships, and aesthetic balance.

He does not use a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, he evaluates the specific causes of your concerns, which may include skin laxity, muscle separation, localized fat, or a combination of factors.

Capital Center® combines surgical precision with patient-centered care. The team will explain your options, help you set realistic expectations, and guide you through each stage of treatment. The goal is not to make you look like someone else. It is to create a smoother, more contoured profile that still looks natural to you.

Book Your Neck Lift Consultation Today

A consultation gives you the information you need to make a confident decision about neck lift surgery. Dr. Retana will examine your neck, jawline, chin, skin quality, and underlying facial structure.

He will also determine whether a neck lift alone can achieve your goals or whether another approach may create a more balanced result.

Call (202) 386-7100 or complete the online contact form to request a consultation.

What Is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging beneath the chin and along the neck. It can address loose skin, localized fat, visible muscle bands, and reduced jawline definition.

Depending on your anatomy, Dr. Retana may combine targeted fat removal with tightening of the platysma muscles and removal or repositioning of loose skin.

Some patients have concerns limited to the neck. Others experience aging along the lower face and jawline as well. During your consultation, Dr. Retana will explain which areas contribute to your concerns and recommend a personalized treatment plan that creates natural balance.

Benefits of Neck Lift Surgery

A neck lift may help you achieve:

  • A smoother neck contour
  • A more defined jawline
  • Reduced loose or hanging skin
  • Less fullness beneath the chin
  • Improved visible neck bands
  • A more contoured profile
  • Better balance between the face and neck
  • Long-lasting structural improvement

Neck lift surgery cannot stop the aging process. However, it can reposition and tighten tissues in ways that nonsurgical treatments cannot achieve.

profile of a mature woman touching her chin
Model

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Neck Lift?

You may qualify for neck lift surgery if you have loose neck skin, visible muscle bands, excess fat beneath the chin, or reduced definition along your jawline.

Good candidates generally:

  • Have realistic expectations
  • Maintain a stable weight
  • Do not smoke or can stop as instructed
  • Have no uncontrolled medical conditions
  • Understand the recovery process
  • Want structural improvement rather than a temporary change

Patients with localized fat and firm, elastic skin may qualify for neck liposuction instead of a complete neck lift. Liposuction alone may not create an effective result when loose skin or muscle laxity contributes to your concerns.

Dr. Retana will evaluate each factor before recommending surgery.

Profile of a woman with blonde hair

How Neck Lift Surgery Is Performed

Dr. Retana customizes the procedure according to your anatomy and goals. Your surgery may include removing localized fat, tightening separated neck muscles, repositioning deeper tissues, and trimming excess skin.

He places incisions in areas selected to support effective correction while keeping scars as discreet as possible. The exact incision pattern will depend on the extent of your procedure.

The surgery typically takes place under general anesthesia in the Capital Center® private surgical facility. Your care team will monitor you throughout the procedure and early recovery.

Preparing for Your Neck Lift

Following your pre-operative instructions can reduce avoidable risks and support a smoother recovery.

Before surgery, you may need to:

  • Complete medical testing
  • Review your prescriptions and supplements
  • Stop taking medications that increase bleeding risk when medically approved
  • Avoid nicotine and tobacco products
  • Arrange transportation home
  • Ask a responsible adult to assist you
  • Prepare a comfortable recovery area
  • Fill prescribed medications in advance

Do not stop any prescription medication without instructions from the appropriate medical provider.

What to Expect During Neck Lift Surgery

On the day of surgery, the Capital Center® team will review your health information and confirm your treatment plan. Dr. Retana may mark the areas he plans to contour before you receive anesthesia.

During surgery, he will address the structures responsible for your neck concerns. Depending on your plan, this may include fat removal, muscle tightening, tissue repositioning, and excess skin removal.

After surgery, the team will monitor you as you wake from anesthesia. You may wear a compression garment or have temporary drains, depending on the extent of your procedure.

You will receive detailed instructions for incision care, medications, activity, follow-up appointments, and symptoms that require immediate attention.

Neck Lift Recovery & Aftercare

Swelling, bruising, tightness, and mild discomfort commonly occur after a neck lift. These effects should gradually improve as your tissues heal.

Many patients can return to desk work and light daily activities within approximately one to two weeks. Wait to continue strenuous activities when cleared by Dr. Retana. More extensive procedures may require additional recovery time.

During the early recovery period, follow these tips for the smoothest experience:

  • Keep your head elevated.
  • Avoid bending at the waist.
  • Limit turning or twisting your neck.
  • Take short walks to support circulation.
  • Wear your compression garment as directed.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise.
  • Keep incisions clean and protected.
  • Attend every scheduled follow-up appointment.

Do not apply ice directly to your neck. Follow Dr. Retana’s specific post-operative instructions for reducing swelling.

Contact Capital Center® if you experience unusual bleeding, worsening pain, fever, breathing problems, increasing redness, drainage, or any other concerning symptoms.

What Results Can I Expect From a Neck Lift?

You may notice improved neck and jawline definition shortly after surgery, but swelling will initially hide part of your result.

Your profile will continue to look more refined as inflammation decreases and your tissues settle. Many patients see substantial improvement within several weeks, although final healing may continue for several months.

Neck lift results can last for years, but they cannot prevent future aging. Genetics, sun exposure, smoking, significant weight changes, and skin quality can affect how your results develop over time.

Maintaining a stable weight, protecting your skin from the sun, and following a consistent skincare routine may help preserve your results.

Office Recovery Room

Neck Lift FAQs

Can a neck lift remove a double chin?

A neck lift can reduce excess fat beneath the chin when the treatment plan includes liposuction or direct fat removal. It can also tighten loose skin and visible muscle bands that fat removal alone cannot correct.

Do I need a neck lift or neck liposuction?

Neck liposuction may suit you if you have localized fat and good skin elasticity. A neck lift may provide better correction when loose skin, muscle laxity, or visible neck bands affect your profile.

Can Dr. Retana combine a neck lift with a facelift?

Yes. Some patients experience aging throughout the lower face, jawline, and neck. Combining procedures may create a more balanced result when multiple areas contribute to your concerns.

Will I have visible scars?

Every surgical incision creates a scar. Dr. Retana will plan your incisions carefully and place them in the natural creases whenever possible. Scars typically soften and fade as healing progresses.

Is neck lift surgery safe?

All surgical procedures carry risks. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, anesthesia reactions, changes in sensation, fluid accumulation, delayed healing, visible scarring, asymmetry, and dissatisfaction with the result.

Dr. Retana will review your medical history and explain your individual risks before surgery.

How long do neck lift results last?

Neck lift results often last for several years. The procedure cannot stop aging, but your neck should continue to look more contoured than it would have without surgery.

When can I exercise after a neck lift?

You should begin with short, gentle walks. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting until Dr. Retana confirms that your healing has progressed sufficiently to allow increased activity.

When will I see my final results?

You will notice changes as swelling decreases, but your final result may take several months to develop. Internal tissues need time to heal and settle into their new position.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

A neck lift can improve loose skin, neck bands, and excess fat while restoring a smoother, more youthful profile. The right surgical plan should reflect your anatomy, priorities, and expectations.

Meet with Dr. Retana at Capital Center® to learn whether neck lift surgery can help you achieve a natural, contoured, and balanced result.

Call (202) 386-7100 or complete the online contact form to schedule your neck lift consultation in Washington, D.C.