Neck Lift in Nashville, TN

Performed by Dr. Don Griffin, MD, FACS — Dual Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon | Almost 30 Years in Nashville

For many patients, especially in the current era of GLP-1 medication use, the neck ages in ways that are specific, structural, and not addressable with diet, exercise, or non-surgical treatments alone. Loose skin, visible muscle banding, central neck fullness, and loss of jawline definition are often the result of distinct anatomical changes that require a surgeon who understands exactly which structures are involved. For almost 30 years, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Don Griffin, MD, FACS has performed neck lift surgery in Nashville with the depth of anatomical knowledge and surgical precision that comprehensive neck rejuvenation demands.

Neck Lift After GLP-1 Weight Loss: A Growing and Distinct Clinical Challenge

Many patients, especially now in the age of GLP-1 induced weight loss, have loose skin and muscle banding in the neck either in combination with facial laxity or alone when the rest of the face has aged more gracefully. Some patients may only have central neck laxity and muscle banding without much excess skin. Others may have excess fat in the central neck with enlarged ptotic submandibular glands and hypertrophic digastric muscles, the deep neck structures that create excess fullness in the lateral neck beneath the jawline.

Failure to address all of these areas during a neck lift will lead to less than optimal results. Dr. Griffin's evaluation of every neck lift patient includes a systematic assessment of each of these anatomical components, because the plan that addresses all of them is fundamentally different from the plan that addresses only the surface.

What Is a Neck Lift? Restoring Definition Along the Jawline and Neck

A neck lift, technically called a lower rhytidectomy or cervicoplasty, is a surgical procedure that restores definition to the jawline and neck by addressing the specific anatomical structures that cause looseness, banding, fullness, and loss of definition: excess skin, weakened platysma muscle, superficial and deep fat deposits, and in some patients, enlarged submandibular glands and hypertrophic digastric muscles.

For select patients, a neck lift can be done without lifting the face to tighten loose skin and underlying muscle in the neck and to reduce excess fat, submandibular glands, and digastric muscles. In patients with only central neck laxity or central neck fullness from an excess of the deep neck structures, a submental (under the chin) incision neck lift can be done to diminish the deep neck fat, reduce the submandibular glands and digastric muscle thickness, tighten the central neck muscles, and redistribute the central skin laxity across the remainder of the neck. For patients with more significant skin laxity, the submental procedure is combined with incisions behind the ear to remove additional neck skin, or combined with a facelift in those patients who have laxity of both the face and neck. At Nashville Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Don Griffin evaluates the neck and face to determine the best procedure option for your particular anatomy and goals. Curious which approach is right for your neck? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Griffin to find out.

Dr. Griffin's Approach: Deep Plane Neck Lift in Nashville

Not all neck lifts address the same anatomical territory, and the depth of the surgical approach determines the completeness and longevity of the result. A surface-level neck lift tightens the platysma muscle and removes excess skin. For many patients, this is sufficient. But for patients whose fullness, banding, or loss of jawline definition involves the deeper structures of the neck, the subplatysmal fat, the submandibular glands, or the digastric muscles, a more comprehensive approach is required.

Dr. Griffin performs deep plane neck lift surgery that addresses the neck at every anatomical level where aging or structural change has occurred. Where submandibular glands have enlarged and descended, creating persistent fullness beneath the jawline that no amount of liposuction can correct, he addresses them directly. Where digastric muscle hypertrophy creates lateral neck fullness that mimics excess fat but does not respond to fat removal, he addresses that as well.

This is the distinction between a neck lift that creates a defined, natural jawline and one that produces a result that looks partially corrected. With almost 30 years of experience performing neck lift surgery in Nashville, Dr. Griffin's evaluation of every patient includes a systematic assessment of all of these anatomical factors, and his surgical plan addresses every one of them that is clinically relevant to your specific anatomy.

Meet Dr. Don Griffin

Your Nashville Neck Lift Surgeon

Dr. Don Griffin is a dual board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons who completed both his medical school training and his general surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, before completing his plastic surgery training. A member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS), he has built a practice recognized as a Top Doctor and Best Plastic Surgeon, built around delivering results that are in balance and harmony with each patient's overall appearance. That emphasis on balance is especially relevant to neck lift surgery, where the goal is a neck that looks proportionate to the rest of the face rather than disconnected from it.

Benefits of a Neck Lift

A neck lift can meaningfully change how the lower face and neck appear, often making a bigger visual difference than patients expect.

A more defined, contoured jawline
Reduced banding and looseness along the neck
Improved profile and side view appearance
Results that complement facial aging elsewhere
A refreshed look without necessarily requiring a full facelift in some patients

Schedule A Consultation

Request a Consult Call Us: (615) 206-2937

Are You a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?

You may be a good candidate if you're bothered by loose skin, fullness, or visible banding along your neck, even if the rest of your face hasn't changed as significantly. This is a common concern for patients with certain genetic predispositions to neck laxity, regardless of overall facial aging.

Good candidates are in good general health and don't smoke. During your consultation, Dr. Griffin will assess your neck and jawline separately from your face to determine whether a standalone neck lift or a combined procedure will best meet your goals.

Neck Lift Alone or Combined With a Facelift?

This is one of the most common questions patients have, and the right answer depends entirely on where your concerns are concentrated.

If your neck is your primary concern and your face has aged less noticeably, a standalone neck lift may be all you need.
If both your face and neck show signs of aging, combining a neck lift with a facelift typically creates a more balanced, cohesive result.

Dr. Griffin will never recommend more surgery than necessary. If your neck can be addressed on its own, he'll tell you so directly.

"Dr. Griffin and his entire team were absolutely incredible from the moment I walked into my first consultation. He truly took the time to listen, made me feel heard, and ensured I fully understood my options while setting realistic expectations. I especially appreciated his honesty and thoughtful guidance on the best surgical approach for my specific case, something I hadn't experienced with other surgeons."

S.P., Nashville Cosmetic Surgery Patient

What to Expect During Your Neck Lift

This procedure is performed at our private, accredited surgical center, with surgical time generally ranging from two to three hours if performed alone, or five to seven hours if combined with a facelift and other facial procedures like fat grafting, brow lift, or blepharoplasty. During your consultation, Dr. Griffin will discuss your concerns and evaluate your face and neck anatomy, then develop a specific plan including surgical and non-surgical options to address your specific type of anatomical aging. He will explain the reasoning behind his recommendations and the expected results in detail during your consultation. Patients return home the same day with clear recovery instructions and direct access to our clinical team.

Recovery and Results Following a Neck Lift

Most patients describe the early recovery as a sensation of tightness rather than acute pain, discomfort that is typically well-controlled with prescribed medication and resolves progressively over the first two weeks. Bruising and swelling are most noticeable in the first week and improve steadily from there. Most patients take one to three weeks off work depending on the procedure. Many feel comfortable returning to social activities within three to four weeks. Final results continue to refine over the following months as swelling fully resolves. Dr. Griffin's team checks in with you regularly throughout recovery, monitoring healing well beyond standard follow-up visits.

Procedure	Return to Light Activity	Return to Social Activity	Exercise Cleared
Neck lift — submental only	5–7 days	2–3 weeks	4–6 weeks
Neck lift with retroauricular incisions	7–10 days	3–4 weeks	5–6 weeks
Neck lift combined with facelift	10–14 days	3–4 weeks	6 weeks
Neck lift combined with facelift + other facial procedures	10–14 days	4 weeks	6 weeks

Why Choose Nashville Cosmetic Surgery?

Dr. Griffin's decades of specialized facial surgery experience allow him to treat the neck with the same precision and artistry he brings to the rest of the face, creating a harmonious, refreshed look. Our private, concierge-style surgical center and exceptional care team ensure that your experience and recovery are as comfortable as possible.

Dr. Griffin completed his medical school training and general surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center before completing his plastic surgery training. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, one of a small number of surgeons in Nashville to hold dual board certification in both disciplines. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. He has appeared on the RealSelf Top 100 list of leading cosmetic surgery experts. His nearly 30-year practice in Nashville operates within an accredited private surgical facility. Nashville Cosmetic Surgery serves neck lift patients from Nashville, Belle Meade, Brentwood, Franklin, Green Hills, and throughout Middle Tennessee and Kentucky.

Neck Lift Frequently Asked Questions

How long do neck lift results typically last?

Results are long-lasting, often a decade or more, though the natural aging process continues over time. Patients who maintain a stable weight and follow a consistent skincare regimen tend to enjoy the longest-lasting outcomes.

Can a neck lift be performed without a facelift?

Yes. Many patients have a neck lift as a standalone procedure when their primary concern is isolated to the neck rather than the face. Dr. Griffin will evaluate whether your anatomy and goals are best served by a standalone neck lift or a combined approach. He will tell you directly what he recommends and why.

Will a neck lift address a double chin?

A neck lift can improve fullness beneath the chin by allowing removal of both superficial and deep neck fat and reduction of enlarged submandibular glands and digastric muscles. Whether submental liposuction alone, a submental incision neck lift, or a more comprehensive approach is appropriate depends on the specific anatomical cause of the fullness, which Dr. Griffin will evaluate during your consultation.

Is neck lift recovery different from facelift recovery?

Recovery from a standalone neck lift is generally somewhat shorter than facelift recovery. Most patients undergoing a neck lift alone return to light activity within 5 to 10 days, while those combining a neck lift with a facelift typically require 10 to 14 days. The sensation during recovery is similar: tightness rather than acute pain, and it improves progressively over the first two weeks.

How much does a neck lift cost in Nashville?

Neck lift pricing varies based on the specific combination of procedures involved: whether a submental incision alone, a retroauricular, or behind the ear, approach, or a combined neck lift and facelift, as well as whether deep neck structures such as the submandibular glands or digastric muscles require addressing. Because every plan is customized to your anatomy, pricing is discussed during your personal consultation after Dr. Griffin has evaluated your neck and developed a specific surgical plan. Our team can discuss financing options at that time.

What is the difference between a neck lift and liposuction of the neck?

Liposuction removes fat, but fat alone is rarely the only cause of neck laxity or fullness in patients over 40. A neck lift addresses the full range of anatomical changes: excess skin, weakened platysma muscle, and where present, enlarged submandibular glands and digastric muscles. Patients who have liposuction alone without addressing these other structures often find that the skin, muscle, and deeper fullness remain. Dr. Griffin will evaluate which combination of procedures addresses your specific anatomy.

Schedule Your Neck Lift Consultation in Nashville

The first step is a conversation. During your neck lift consultation at Nashville Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Griffin will evaluate your neck and face together: the skin, the platysma, the deeper structures, and the relationship between your neck and the rest of your face, then develop a surgical plan built specifically around your anatomy and your goals. Nashville Cosmetic Surgery serves patients from Nashville, Belle Meade, Brentwood, Franklin, Green Hills, and throughout Middle Tennessee. Request Your Consultation | Call (615) 206-2937