Quick answers
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What does platysmaplasty treat? | Vertical platysma bands, mild to moderate neck skin laxity, and loss of the cervicomental angle. |
| What does it not treat? | Deep subplatysmal fat, prominent submandibular glands or digastric muscles, jowls, or a recessed chin. |
| Who performs the surgery? | Dr Scott J Turner, FRACS Specialist Plastic Surgeon, AHPRA registration MED0001654827. |
| Where are consultations held? | Bondi Junction and Manly. |
| Where is surgery performed? | Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why. |
| Operating time and stay | 2 to 3 hours under general anaesthesia, typically with an overnight hospital stay. |
| Cost (standalone) | $18,000 to $26,000 all-inclusive. Combined facelift and neck lift is quoted separately. |
| Is a GP referral required? | Yes. A current referral from your usual GP or an independent medical practitioner is required before booking. |
What is platysmaplasty?
The platysma is a broad, thin muscle that runs from the collarbone up over the front of the neck and into the lower face. It is the muscle most patients see in the mirror when they notice the vertical “cords” running down the front of the neck with age. Those cords are not a sign of a separate muscle developing. They are the leading edges of the platysma itself, which has separated in the midline and is no longer supported by the surrounding tissues.
Platysmaplasty addresses this separation directly. Through a small incision under the chin and, in some patients, additional incisions behind the ears, the edges of the platysma are identified, brought together in the midline, and sutured. Where indicated, the muscle is also repositioned laterally so that it provides better support along the jawline and the cervicomental angle. Excess fat above the platysma is removed where present, and the overlying skin is redraped.
The result is structural. Platysmaplasty is a muscle repair, not just a skin procedure, which is why a properly performed platysmaplasty tends to hold up better over time than tightening skin alone.
What platysmaplasty treats
Platysmaplasty is appropriate for patients whose main concerns are in the layers that the operation actually reaches. The procedure addresses:
- Vertical platysma bands running down the front of the neck
- Mild to moderate loose neck skin
- Loss of the cervicomental angle
- Submental fullness where the fat sits above the platysma
- Early to moderate neck changes in patients with reasonable skin quality
The procedure does not address:
- Deep fullness from subplatysmal fat (fat sitting beneath the platysma muscle)
- Prominence of the submandibular glands
- Bulk of the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles
- Significant jowling or descent of the lower face
- A recessed chin contributing to a shallow neck angle
When the concern sits in one of these deeper or adjacent areas, the appropriate procedure is different, and platysmaplasty alone will not deliver the result.
Which neck procedure is right for you?
This decision table maps the patient’s anatomical concern to the procedure most often used to address it. Many patients have more than one of these concerns, and combined approaches are common.
| Procedure | Primary layer addressed | Best suited to | Not ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platysmaplasty (this page) | Platysma muscle and overlying skin | Vertical neck bands, mild to moderate laxity, cervicomental angle loss | Deep gland or muscle fullness, significant jowling |
| Deep neck lift | Structures beneath the platysma | Subplatysmal fat, prominent glands, digastric bulk | Patients needing only superficial band correction |
| Neck liposuction | Superficial submental fat | Localised fat below the chin with good skin elasticity | Loose skin, neck bands, deep fullness |
| Direct neck lift | Central neck skin | Significant central skin excess in selected older patients | Patients suitable for a facelift-style approach |
| Facelift with neck lift | Lower face and neck together | Jowls plus neck laxity | Isolated neck bands with minimal lower face change |
| Chin implants | Skeletal projection | Recessed chin contributing to a poor neck angle | Skin, fat, or platysma problems alone |
Platysmaplasty vs neck lift vs deep neck lift
Patients often ask about the difference between platysmaplasty, neck lift and deep neck lift. The terms overlap, and the distinction matters more for surgical planning than for terminology.
A neck lift is the broader procedure. It includes platysmaplasty alongside skin redraping, excess skin removal, and where appropriate, fat contouring. In practice, most surgeons treat the terms “neck lift” and “platysmaplasty” as overlapping because the platysma repair is the structural core of the operation.
A deep neck lift goes further. Once the platysma is opened in the midline, the surgeon can work on structures sitting beneath the muscle: subplatysmal fat, the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles, and in selected cases the submandibular glands. Patients who need a deep neck lift typically have persistent neck fullness even at a healthy weight, or a thick neck where the depth of tissue is part of the problem.
In short: platysmaplasty repairs the platysma. Neck lift adds skin and contour work to the same operation. Deep neck lift adds work on the structures beneath the platysma when the surface procedure will not be enough.
The surgical technique
Platysmaplasty is performed under general anaesthesia at an accredited Sydney private hospital, with a specialist anaesthetist managing care throughout. An overnight stay is standard, with discharge the following day. Operating time is typically 2 to 3 hours for a standalone platysmaplasty, and longer when combined with facelift or deep neck lift components.
Incision placement. A small incision is placed in the natural crease beneath the chin to access the platysma and central neck structures. When lateral skin redraping is also required, additional incisions are placed in the natural creases behind the ears and along the lower hairline.
Fat contouring. Where excess fat is present above the platysma, it is addressed first, either by direct excision or limited liposuction, to create a smooth foundation for the muscle repair.
Muscle repair. Most patients benefit from a combination of medial and lateral techniques:
- Medial platysmaplasty sutures the separated edges of the platysma muscle together in the midline. This directly corrects the muscle separation that creates visible bands.
- Lateral platysmaplasty repositions and secures the muscle toward the sides of the neck. This adds support to the jawline and clarifies the cervicomental angle.
- Corset platysmaplasty uses a running suture pattern that creates a “corset” effect along the platysma midline, which can be useful where the banding is heavier or more extensive.
The specific combination is chosen at the time of surgery based on the pattern of separation and the underlying anatomy.
Skin redraping. Once the muscle is repaired, the overlying skin is redraped and any redundant skin removed. Incisions are closed in layers to support healing.
When platysmaplasty alone is not enough
A platysmaplasty that succeeds at the muscle level can still leave a result that looks incomplete if the underlying cause of the neck fullness sits deeper than the platysma. This is the single most common reason for an unsatisfying neck lift outcome.
Persistent fullness after platysmaplasty often reflects subplatysmal fat, prominent submandibular glands, or bulk in the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles. None of these structures are accessible through a standard platysmaplasty. Where they are part of the picture, deep neck lift techniques need to be incorporated in the same operation.
The clinical question at consultation is not really “should we do a platysmaplasty?” but rather “what layer is driving the problem, and does the planned operation reach it?” When a more thorough approach is appropriate, Dr Turner will recommend it openly rather than treating only the layer that platysmaplasty can address.
Procedures commonly combined with platysmaplasty
Platysmaplasty is frequently performed as part of a broader surgical plan rather than as a standalone procedure. The most common combinations are:
- Facelift with platysmaplasty. The most common combination by a wide margin. The lower face and neck age together, and treating one without the other tends to produce an unbalanced result. Most facelift procedures include a platysmaplasty as the neck component.
- Deep neck lift with platysmaplasty. Used when the assessment identifies fullness beneath the platysma that a surface repair will not reach.
- Neck liposuction with platysmaplasty. Where supra-platysmal fat is part of the problem alongside banding.
- Chin implants with platysmaplasty. Where a recessed chin is contributing to a shallow cervicomental angle independently of the platysma changes.
Choosing a platysmaplasty surgeon in Sydney
Platysmaplasty looks straightforward on paper, but the planning is where the result is made. The most useful things to assess when choosing a surgeon are:
- Specialist qualifications. Specialist Plastic Surgeons in Australia hold a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in plastic surgery and are registered with AHPRA. Dr Turner’s FRACS qualification (2013) and AHPRA registration (MED0001654827) can be verified independently.
- Operating environment. Surgery should be performed in an accredited private hospital with a specialist anaesthetist, not in a clinic-based theatre. Dr Turner operates at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.
- Anatomical assessment. A consultation that examines the platysma alongside the deeper neck structures, skin quality, jowls and chin projection produces a more reliable plan than a consultation focused only on the muscle.
- Honesty about limitations. A surgeon who explains when platysmaplasty alone will not be enough, and when a deep neck lift or combined facelift component is more appropriate, is giving you better information than one who fits every patient to the same operation.
- AHPRA pathway. Two consultations, a GP referral, a cooling-off period, and screening for body dysmorphic concerns are mandatory under the Medical Board’s cosmetic surgery guidelines. A practice that follows the pathway properly is signalling how it treats patient safety more broadly.
Are you a suitable candidate?
Platysmaplasty may be appropriate where visible platysma banding, neck skin laxity, or loss of the cervicomental angle is present, where skin quality is sufficient to allow adequate redraping after muscle repair, and where the patient is in good general health.
Patients are generally not suitable where significant uncontrolled medical conditions are present, where smoking has not been ceased well before surgery (smoking significantly increases the risk of skin healing problems), where expectations exceed what the surgery can deliver, or where the assessment identifies a different procedure as a better fit for the underlying anatomy.
Some patients in their 30s or 40s with inherited poor neck contour benefit from platysmaplasty. Patients in their 70s and 80s in good health can also be appropriate candidates. Anatomy and health status determine suitability, not age alone.
Body dysmorphic concerns are screened for during the consultation process. Where a psychological assessment is indicated under the Medical Board’s cosmetic surgery requirements, it forms part of the pre-operative pathway.
Recovery after platysmaplasty
Recovery from platysmaplasty varies with the procedure performed, the patient’s general health, and whether platysmaplasty was combined with facelift or deep neck lift components. The general pattern is as follows.
Days 1 to 3. Swelling and bruising peak. Sleeping with the head elevated is important. A compression garment is applied at the end of surgery and worn continuously for approximately one week.
Week 1 to 2. Sutures are removed at around one week. Bruising fades progressively. The compression garment is worn at night for a further two to three weeks.
Weeks 2 to 3. Most patients are able to return to office-based work. Visible bruising is largely resolved.
Weeks 3 to 6. Residual swelling continues to settle. Exercise can be reintroduced gradually at four to six weeks, under Dr Turner’s guidance.
Months 3 to 6. The final result becomes apparent as residual swelling fully resolves and the tissues settle into their new position.
Return to work and activity timelines vary with the type of work and the procedure performed. The full timeline is discussed at consultation and reviewed at follow-up. For a more detailed week-by-week breakdown, see the facelift recovery guide, which applies closely to platysmaplasty recovery.
How long results last
Platysmaplasty results typically last in the order of five to ten years, reflecting the structural durability of the muscle repair itself. The plication is not a temporary tightening of surface tissue. It is a repair of the muscle separation that produced the bands in the first place.
That said, the skin continues to age, underlying structures continue to change, and some patients develop secondary laxity over time. The factors that most influence longevity are skin quality and elasticity, ongoing weight stability, sun exposure, smoking history, and the extent of change present at the time of the original surgery. Patients who present with more significant changes at baseline may notice earlier recurrence than patients who have surgery for earlier-stage changes.
Risks and safety
Platysmaplasty is a safe procedure when performed by an appropriately qualified surgeon in an accredited hospital setting, but every surgical procedure carries risk. Risks specific to platysmaplasty include:
- Haematoma, a collection of blood under the skin that may require return to theatre
- Infection
- Temporary or, rarely, permanent injury to the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve, which can affect lower lip movement
- Skin healing problems, particularly in patients who smoke or have compromised circulation
- Contour irregularities or asymmetry during the healing phase
- Scarring, which is typically well concealed in the natural skin creases under the chin and behind the ears but varies between individuals
- Residual neck fullness where deeper structures were not identified or addressed at the time of surgery
- The general risks of general anaesthesia
All risks are discussed in detail at consultation. The full risks resource is available on the facelift risks and complications page, which covers the relevant neck lift risks as well.
Platysmaplasty cost in Sydney
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Anterior neck lift / standalone platysmaplasty (all-inclusive) | $18,000 to $26,000 |
| Combined face and neck lift | See facelift cost guide |
| Consultation fee | $450 |
All-inclusive cost covers the surgeon’s fee, hospital fee, specialist anaesthetist, and all post-operative follow-up visits. A formal itemised quote is provided after consultation, once the specific procedure has been confirmed.
Most platysmaplasty procedures are performed as part of a facelift, in which case the cost is quoted on the combined procedure rather than as a standalone platysmaplasty.
Medical Board and AHPRA requirements for cosmetic surgery
Cosmetic surgery in Australia is regulated by the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Patients seeking cosmetic platysmaplasty must meet the following requirements before surgery proceeds.
A current referral from your usual general practitioner, or from an independent medical practitioner, is required. Two consultations are conducted before booking surgery, with the first consultation held in person. A cooling-off period of at least seven days applies between consenting to surgery and the surgery date for adult patients. Patients under 18 are subject to a longer cooling-off period of three months and require psychological assessment. Adult patients are screened for body dysmorphic concerns, with referral for psychological assessment where indicated.
Dr Turner’s practice follows the Medical Board’s cosmetic surgery guidelines in full.
Before and after photos
Before and after photographs of platysmaplasty and neck lift patients are available to view in person during consultation, in accordance with the Medical Board’s restrictions on the public display of cosmetic surgery results. The consultation also includes a review of the patient-specific factors that influence the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can platysmaplasty fix neck bands?
Yes, in the right patient. Vertical neck bands are caused by separation of the platysma muscle in the midline. Platysmaplasty sutures the separated edges back together, which directly addresses the cause of the banding. Patients with predominantly muscular banding, reasonable skin quality, and an absence of significant deeper neck fullness are the patients in whom platysmaplasty produces the most reliable result. Where the bands are accompanied by deep subplatysmal fullness or substantial jowling, the platysmaplasty is usually combined with deep neck lift or facelift components.
What is the difference between medial, lateral and corset platysmaplasty?
These are three suture techniques used during the same operation rather than three different operations. Medial platysmaplasty sutures the separated edges of the platysma together in the midline, directly closing the gap that produces visible bands. Lateral platysmaplasty repositions the muscle toward the sides of the neck to add support to the jawline and cervicomental angle. Corset platysmaplasty uses a continuous running suture pattern down the platysma midline, useful where the banding is heavier or more extensive. Most procedures combine elements of all three, with the specific approach chosen at the time of surgery based on the muscle pattern present.
Is platysmaplasty the same as cervicoplasty?
Not quite. Platysmaplasty refers specifically to repair of the platysma muscle. Cervicoplasty refers to surgery on the neck more broadly, often emphasising removal and redraping of the neck skin. In practice the two are commonly performed together in the same operation, and the terms are sometimes used loosely as if interchangeable. The clinically useful distinction is what the operation actually does: platysmaplasty addresses the muscle, cervicoplasty addresses the skin envelope, and most neck lift procedures combine both.
Does platysmaplasty remove loose neck skin?
Platysmaplasty includes removal and redraping of the overlying neck skin to the extent that the incisions allow. Where the skin excess is moderate and sits centrally under the chin, this is usually sufficient. Where the skin excess is more substantial or extends laterally down the sides of the neck, additional incisions behind the ears (similar to a facelift pattern) are needed to redrape the skin properly. Whether platysmaplasty alone can address your skin laxity is assessed at consultation.
When is a deep neck lift better than platysmaplasty?
A deep neck lift is the more appropriate procedure when the source of the neck fullness sits beneath the platysma muscle rather than at the level of the muscle itself. Subplatysmal fat, prominent submandibular glands, and bulk in the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles all sit deeper than a standard platysmaplasty can reach. When these structures are contributing to the neck contour, performing a platysmaplasty alone will leave residual fullness even when the muscle repair has worked. The assessment at consultation identifies which layer is driving the problem.
Where are platysmaplasty incisions placed and what do the scars look like?
The primary incision is placed in the natural crease beneath the chin, where it is well concealed. When lateral skin redraping is also required, additional incisions are placed in the natural creases behind the ears and along the lower hairline, similar to a facelift pattern. Platysmaplasty scars are designed to sit in or close to existing skin creases so that they are inconspicuous once mature. Scar appearance varies between individuals based on skin type, healing characteristics, and post-operative care.
Can platysmaplasty be performed as a standalone procedure?
Yes, in selected patients. A standalone platysmaplasty is appropriate when the neck changes are present but the lower face has not yet developed jowls or significant descent, and when the deeper neck structures do not need to be addressed. In most patients, however, the lower face and neck age together, and a platysmaplasty performed as part of a combined facelift and neck lift produces a more balanced overall result. Which approach is appropriate is determined at consultation.
Do I need a GP referral before platysmaplasty in Australia?
Yes. Under the Medical Board’s cosmetic surgery guidelines, a current referral from your usual general practitioner, or from an independent medical practitioner, is required before booking cosmetic surgery. The referral is part of the broader patient safety framework, which also includes two consultations, a cooling-off period of at least seven days for adult patients, and screening for body dysmorphic concerns.
Related procedures and resources
Related procedures
- Neck Lift Sydney
- Deep Neck Lift Sydney
- Direct Neck Lift Sydney
- Neck Liposuction Sydney
- Chin Implants Sydney
- Facelift Sydney
- Deep Plane Facelift Sydney
Helpful guides
Consultation with Dr Scott J Turner
Dr Scott J Turner consults for platysmaplasty in Sydney from Bondi Junction (Suite 1, 39 Grosvenor Street) and Manly (Suite 504, Level 5, 39 East Esplanade). For patients based interstate, consulting rooms in Brisbane (Herstellen Clinic, Spring Hill) and Canberra (Campbell) are available, with surgery performed at Dr Turner’s Sydney hospitals.
Phone: (02) 9387 3900 Email: [email protected]
