A Guide for Neck Liposuction Treatments and their Results

Neck liposuction removes the appearance of jowls to create a youthful and more defined jawline. It is designed to remove excess fat from the neck and under the chin area. The treatment improves the appearance of a double chin and refines the jawline to enhance the chin as well as provide balance to the facial features.  The results are long lasting and the procedure typically works best on patients with good skin tone. Patients with a good amount of sagging skin should consult with a doctor before having neck liposuction to make sure the desired results can be achieved with the surgery.

Am I a Good Candidate for Neck Liposuction?

Patients who are GOOD CANDIDATES for neck liposuction include:

• Patients with good skin tone
• A younger person, from 20-50 years of age, that typically has good skin elasticity
• Patients who are in general good health and also maintain a stable weight
• Someone with unwanted fat in the neck region
• A person who wants to reshape the area and not try to use the surgery as a weight loss method

A patient that is NOT A GOOD CANDIDATE for neck liposuction includes:

• Someone with skin that is sagging or excessively loose
• An older patient/someone without much skin elasticity
• A person who smokes on a regular basis as smoking can dry out the skin around the neck and face

How is Neck Liposuction Performed?

Neck liposuction is an outpatient procedure that is typically performed under local anesthesia. The procedure can be completed in 30-60 minutes depending on the amount of liposuction that needs to be performed.

The doctor numbs an area of the neck and then makes a small incision under the chin or behind the ear lobes. A cannula is inserted into the incision to break up the deposits of fat and to sculpt the area to its desired proportions. Then, the excess fat is suctioned and removed through the cannula. Once the desired amount of fat is removed, the incision is closed with thin sutures. The neck will be wrapped with a compression dressing after the surgery to reduce swelling and bruising after the procedure.

Some doctors also use the super-wet liposuction technique and inject saline solution into the area to be treated. The extra fluid minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissues while reducing swelling and pain. The cannula is then inserted and the procedure is performed as described above.

Combined with Other Procedures

Neck liposuction is often performed at the same time as a neck lift. This is especially true in older patients that do not have much skin elasticity. The neck lift is performed to help remove excess skin.

It can also be combined with chin augmentation in order to lengthen the neck and strengthen the jawline.

Neck Liposuction Cost

The cost of neck liposuction depends on the geographic location of the surgery, anesthesia fees, any fees charged by the doctor or the facility and the skill level of the surgeon. In general, neck liposuction costs anywhere in the range of $3000-$6000. It is rarely paid for by insurance since it is almost exclusively a cosmetic procedure.

Recovery and Downtime

Temporary bruising, swelling and numbness can be expected at the start of the RECOVERY period. Any bandages and dressings will be removed by the doctor during a follow-up visit. Patients will still need to wear a compression wrap around the neck for a week or two to help minimize any swelling. Walks around the house are encouraged to aid with the circulation of the person.

After a DOWNTIME of 3 to 5 days, patients can resume light work. Intense physical exercise is not allowed for 3 to 4 weeks.

Results

The results of the surgery will be obscured for the first week or two due to swelling and bruising. There can be some numbness that will fade after a week or two. The final results can usually be seen around 6 to 8 months after surgery. The results will be long-lasting as long as the patient follows a healthy diet and exercise program. The fat cells that are removed can never return but the fat cells around the treated area can still grow if a person does not exercise and watch their weight.

Limitations of Neck Liposuction

Some common limitations of neck liposuction include:

• Patients without good skin tone will likely not get the desired results
• It is not a weight loss method
• A person without good skin elasticity is limited in the results that can be achieved

Risks of Neck Liposuction

The risks associated with neck liposuction are:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Skin discoloration
• Scarring

Always Use a Board-Certified Doctor

Neck liposuction is a good option for patients interested in decreasing the appearance of a “turkey neck” or “double chin.” As with any surgery, patients should take care to find a board-certified doctor to perform the procedure. Though neck liposuction is a simple process for doctors properly trained in performing the procedure, the risks of seeing someone who doesn’t know the dangers of a surgical misstep aren’t worth a slightly cheaper price tag. However, the results of well-performed liposuction surgery can dramatically increase a patient’s quality of life and overall self-image.

Cosmetic Town is the premier online cosmetic surgery news and information resource. We connect patients with the best doctors for cosmetic procedures. Get the answers to all of your questions and find a doctor near you.

Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team- MA

Based on an exclusive interview provided by Dr. Kevin Sadati of Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA