Neck Liposuction

Neck liposuction is the removal of fat from the chin and neck areas. Neck liposuction can remove the appearance of jowls, or a double chin, to create a youthful and more defined jawline. It is designed to remove excess fat from the neck and under the chin area. Essentially, the doctor numbs an area of the neck before making a single, small incision under the chin area. The doctor then inserts a cannula to suction and remove any excess fat. When seeking out neck liposuction, most people look for a clean right angle between the jaw and the neck in order to look more youthful and attractive. Though some patients do suffer from a fatty neck and jaw region, many people simply have a lot of excess skin or muscle which causes an undefined and flabby appearance.

Am I a Good Candidate for Neck Liposuction?

A GOOD CANDIDATE for neck liposuction is:

• Someone in good health between the ages of 25 to 40
• A younger patient since it is easier for the neck skin to retract and conform to the newly sculpted neck at a younger age
• A person with excess fat under the jaw and chin
• A patient who wants to contour the neck
• Someone with skin that is relatively firm and elastic

Patients who are NOT GOOD CANDIDATES include:

• Older patients because a neck lift may be required, in addition to liposuction, in order to remove excess skin and prevent a worse appearance
• Patients who want to tighten sagging neck muscles and get the results normally seen from a neck lift
• Someone who smokes or is not in overall good health

How is Neck Liposuction Performed?

At the start of the procedure, the surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin that is typically located behind the ear lobes or just under the chin. A cannula is then inserted into the fatty area and is used to break up fat deposits. The targeted fat is removed using a high pressure vacuum that does not impact any of the blood vessels, muscles or nerves. The liposuction treatment generally takes about 30 minutes to perform and is usually done under local anesthesia.

Other Techniques

• A super wet technique is when a saline solution that contains a local anesthetic and adrenaline is injected into the area targeted for treatment. The saline solution makes it easier to break up the fat deposits and extract them. Plus, the addition of the fluid helps to minimize any trauma that might occur to the surrounding tissue while also reducing post-op pain and swelling.
• The tumescent method is similar to the super-wet technique. However, the tumescent technique involves injecting an even larger amount of liquid.
• UAL, or ultra-sound assisted liposuction, utilizes sound waves to liquefy the fat that will be removed after the fluid is injected into the targeted area. This technique is especially helpful when treating fibrous areas of the body.

Combined with Other Techniques

Some patients opt to combine neck liposuction with other surgical procedures to achieve a more dramatic makeover in their appearance. Neck liposuction can be combined with procedures such as chin augmentation, a facelift and blepharoplasty.

What is the Cost of Neck Liposuction?

The cost of neck liposuction depends on whether it is performed by itself or in combination with another cosmetic surgery. The cost can also vary due to fees charged by the doctor and the facility as well as the area of the country where it is performed. In general, the cost of neck liposuction is $3000-$6000.

Recovery and Downtime

RECOVERY after neck liposuction varies according to the type of liposuction performed and whether it was combined with other procedures. Following the treatment, patients typically wear a chip strap, for 3 or 4 days, that is specially designed to support the area. There is little pain following neck liposuction. There will be some bruising and swelling after the procedure but they should mostly resolve after 2 weeks.

The amount of DOWNTIME varies per person but patients can usually return to work after a week. They can resume regular activities after two weeks and start exercising again after 3 or 4 weeks. Makeup can be worn to hide any bruising after a week.

Results

The results of neck liposuction can be considered permanent since the fat cells are permanently removed by the liposuction. Patients will not regain weight in the treated area. However, areas not treated by liposuction can be impacted by weight gain and an increase in fat cells.

The results from neck liposuction start to become visible after any bruising resolves itself. The results can also be seen once the swelling goes down on its own. The swelling can persist for many months so patients may not see the final results for 9 to 12 months.

Limitations of Neck Liposuction

Some limitations of neck liposuction include:

• The fact that it is normally only effective on younger patients since they have skin that is more elastic and firmer
• The amount of fat that can safely be removed from the treated area
• It does not tighten the neck muscles like a neck lift

Risks of Neck Liposuction

Common risks of neck liposuction include:

• Lumpy results
• Numbness
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Dimpling
• Fat embolism
• Scarring
• Skin discoloration
• Sagging skin in the treated area

Find an Experienced Doctor

Neck liposuction is a good, minimally invasive option for patients interested in decreasing the undesirable appearance of a double chin. As with any surgery, patients should find a properly certified doctor to perform the procedure. Though neck liposuction is a simple process for doctors trained in performing it, there are risks in having the procedure performed by a doctor who is not as experienced with the surgery. Thankfully, a well-performed neck liposuction can dramatically improve a patient’s quality of life and overall self-image.

Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team - MA

Based on an exclusive interview provided by Aaron Stone, MD in Beverly Hills, CA.