Regardless of your age or weight, unwanted fat deposits are common in the neck area. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. John Compoginis, Dr. Juris Bunkis and Dr. Deborah Ekstrom offer neck liposuction in their Newport Beach office. The procedure helps to tone and tighten the neck and jowls for fatty tissue that develops with age, and it is also recommended for men and women whose double chin is caused by fatty excess and not skin laxity.
Face Procedures
Neck Liposuction In Newport Beach, Orange County, CA
What is Neck liposuction?
Neck liposuction surgery is currently one of the more popular aesthetic facial plastic surgery procedures at Orange County Plastic Surgery. You’re not alone if you are concerned about fatty deposits under your chin in the neck. The primary benefit of neck contouring with liposuction is that it eliminates localized fat deposits with relatively inconspicuous incisions. Neck liposuction surgery is recommended for patients who cannot reduce the pockets of stubborn fat through diet and exercise and who do not have significant skin laxity.
Who Is The Best Candidate For Neck Liposuction?
The ideal candidates for liposuction to contour the neck area are people in good overall health who have:
- The accumulation of fat beneath the jaw
- Good skin elasticity (i.e., no sagging skin – younger patients)
Neck rejuvenation with liposuction is not an alternative method of weight control nor a treatment for generalized obesity. If you are not a good candidate for liposuction, you can consider Kybella® injections, but generally, these are less predictable than liposuction and multiple sessions can end up costing more than liposuction.
Why Is Neck Liposuction A Good Idea?
Is neck liposuction worth it? This is a question that many people have before committing to surgery for excess fat in the submental region. Stubborn fat under the chin, frequently cannot be removed with traditional means, such as diet and exercise. The neck area is also one of the most obvious, both to yourself and others.
Double chin liposuction restores your neck area to a more toned appearance that cannot be achieved otherwise. Additionally, submental liposuction requires very little downtime, and the scars are practically impossible to detect.
How Is Neck Liposuction Procedure Performed?
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis using either local anesthesia with sedation or a light general anesthetic. It is important to note that removing a collection of excess fat in the neck area via liposuction is not as intense a procedure as neck lift surgery. Preparing for a neck lift is much more involved, as you will have downtime.
Neck rejuvenation with liposuction requires a small incision just below the chin and sometime under the earlobes to access the fatty tissue with a cannula. If this surgical procedure is not combined with other procedures, it takes little time and recovery is rapid. However, patients with significant skin and muscle laxity will have a far superior result with a neck lift.
Non-Surgical Alternatives
Kybella® is can remove neck fat non-surgically. The injections contain enzymes that destroy fat cells in the submental region. Although considered a non-surgical neck fat removing procedures, there are some key differences between neck liposuction and Kybella®. Neck liposuction only requires one procedure, but you have some downtime with a five day recovery. Kybella® requires a series of injections, once every six weeks, there is no downtime as far as someone else seeing bruising or swelling, but the injected area will be tender for about a month after each injection. For most patients, liposuction will provide better, cheaper and faster improvement.
Neck Liposuction FAQ
Is Neck Liposuction Surgery Safe?
The procedure is very safe, and Dr. Bunkis uses the most advanced reconstructive surgery techniques for each procedure. There is a small risk of fat cells escaping into the bloodstream, and this may cause some complications. We recommend that you discuss your complete medical history, including past and current conditions, to ensure that your liposuction surgery provides the desired results.
Can Neck Liposuction Be Combined With Other Procedures?
The procedure can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as a neck lift for facelift. A neck lift is recommended for people who have skin laxity. Typically, the neck lift is performed first, and Dr. Bunkis uses liposuction in the upper neck region to remove any smaller pockets of fat around the neck, and to recontour the neck area.
Neck Liposuction Recovery
The recovery is a day-by-day process. Not everyone heals at the same rate. In general, the neck liposuction healing process takes up to two or three weeks. Some patients have a six-week recovery time for the procedure. Expect to see minimal swelling in the area. You will be required to wear a compression garment for a few days. In some cases, you can take prescription pain medication.
Neck liposuction aftercare is key to healing properly and minimizing post-operative symptoms, such as discomfort bruising and swelling. We provide detailed recovery instructions for how to allow your body to heal properly, as well as requirements for bandage changes, follow-up appointments, and body positioning while at rest. You may need to have a friend or family member help you with neck lipo aftercare, such as bathing, preparing food, and driving. Most patients are back to work in four or five days.
Part of neck lipo recovery is the healing of the tiny incisions. Expect the incisions to first heal as pinkish neck liposuction scars. Over time, the scar tissue changes color to be slightly darker than your natural skin tone.
How Long The Result Of Neck Liposuction Lasts
By living a healthy, active lifestyle, you can enjoy your neck liposuction results for many years. The procedure does not stop the aging process, though. You may notice sagging skin in the area or fat developing in other parts of your neck. Regarding the jawline and neck, weight loss may or may not affect how fat is distributed in this part of the body.
Many people who maintain an ideal weight have pockets of fat in the neck area. This is primarily attributed to genetics. If you do develop new fat in the submental area, Dr. Bunkis may recommend Kybella® injections.
How Much Does Neck Liposuction Cost?
Knowing how much is the procedure helps you plan ahead for the procedure. Neck liposuction cost varies by individual, so we recommend that you schedule a consultation with Dr. Bunkis at Orange County Plastic Surgery. He evaluates your neck and jawline area to determine if neck rejuvenation with liposuction is the best option. Once you agree to your individual treatment plan, we can provide details about neck fat removal cost. We offer financing options for our patients to make double chin removal surgery cost more affordable.
How long does it take to recover from neck liposuction?
Recovery time following neck liposuction varies depending on the individual, their body’s healing abilities, and the extent of treatment. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to make a full recovery.
Does neck fat come back after liposuction?
Yes, unfortunately, neck fat can come back after liposuction. This is because liposuction is a medical procedure that removes unwanted fat cells from the body, but it does not permanently alter the size of fat cells or prevent them from regaining weight. It also does not affect a person’s metabolic rate or their ability to store energy as fat in other areas of the body. Therefore, it may be possible for neck fat to return due to natural weight gain and/or aging changes caused by hormones.
Can liposuction fix turkey neck?
Yes, liposuction can help improve the appearance of a turkey neck. Turkey neck is an age-related skin condition that causes loose and saggy skin in the lower face and neck area. Liposuction eliminates excess fat from the area, which helps reshape the appearance of your jawline, chin, and neck. It helps to contour these areas to give you a more youthful look with tighter skin and a defined jawline.
Will I have loose skin after neck lipo?
Yes, you may experience some amount of loose skin after having neck liposuction. The extent of the loose skin will depend on many individual factors, such as your age, the amount of fat that’s removed, and your overall body composition.
Does neck liposuction leave scars?
No, neck liposuction does not leave scars. The procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that uses special cannulas to remove excess fat deposits from beneath the skin with tiny incisions. The incisions are so small that they rarely cause scarring and heal very quickly. Additionally, when performed by an experienced surgeon, the surgery results in minimal tissue trauma and swelling compared to traditional surgical methods of fat removal, which makes it even less likely for scarring to occur post-procedure.
What can you not do after neck liposuction?
After liposuction, you should take it easy and avoid strenuous activities like vigorous exercise, lifting heavy objects, or doing anything that puts pressure on the affected area until advised otherwise by your surgeon. You should also avoid saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs for at least 6–8 weeks following treatment.
Post Operational Instructions
After undergoing plastic surgery, following the postoperative instructions provided by your surgeon is crucial for optimal healing and recovery. These instructions may include caring for the surgical site, managing pain, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is important to keep the surgical area clean, take prescribed medications as directed, rest and avoid strenuous activities, and adhere to a balanced diet while staying hydrated.
Attending follow-up appointments will allow your surgeon to monitor your progress and provide further guidance, ensuring a successful outcome from your plastic surgery procedure.