Neck Liposuction

As we age, certain areas of the body can accumulate fat that is hard to lose, in spite of a healthy diet and vigorous exercise. The neck is one such area. Fatty deposits in the neck can detract from the appearance of the entire body, making a younger person seem older, or a fit person seem out of shape. Liposuction can give this area a new streamlined contour, enhancing the effect of facial features and improving the profile. Liposuction in this area produces consistently good results, and has a particularly high satisfaction rate.

If you’re considering neck liposuction, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a plastic surgeon who is board certified or has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.

The procedure:

During the procedure, the surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin, typically in the crease just under the chin or behind the ear lobes. He/she next inserts a thin tube called a cannula into the fatty area. The cannula is used to break up the fat deposits and sculpt the area to the desired proportions. The unwanted fat is removed with a high pressure vacuum, leaving the skin, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels intact.

In the super-wet technique, a saline solution containing a local anesthetic and adrenaline is injected into the area to be treated, which makes the fat deposits easier to break up and extract. This extra fluid also minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissue, reducing swelling and post-operative pain. The administration of adrenaline also decreases bleeding during surgery, further reducing risks.

The tumescent technique, in which even larger amounts of liquid solution are injected, has similar benefits.

A relatively new method, ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), uses sound waves to liquefy the fat after the injection of fluids. Like the super-wet and tumescent techniques, UAL minimizes trauma, bruising and blood loss. UAL is particularly useful on fibrous areas of the body.

An earlier method of liposuction, called dry liposuction because no liquefying agent was used, required general anesthesia. This technique is not in frequent use today.

The technique chosen for your operation will be determined by a combination of factors, including the precise area to be treated, the amount of fat to be removed, your surgeon’s training and experience, and your preferences.

Post-operative information

Your neck may be stiff and store for a few days, and you may experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding or temporary numbness. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe medication to relieve this initial discomfort.

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection at the incision sites. Your stitches will be removed in a week to 10 days, unless they dissolve on their own. You will be fitted with a compression band to cut down on swelling and to hold your neck in its new shape until the tissues have adjusted.

Most of the bruising and swelling should subside within three weeks. You should be able to return to work within a week, or even within a few days if your work is fairly sedentary. Remember that you will be wearing the compression band for several weeks after your surgery to ensure that your neck stays firmly shaped.