Liposuction, also called lipo, is an elective surgical procedure that removes fat deposits that do not respond to exercise and diet. In 2020, it was the most common surgical cosmetic procedure performed in the United States among both men and women.
You can get liposuction done on various areas of the body, including your abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, neck, and chin.
The goal of the procedure is to improve your body shape. Liposuction is, however, not a weight-loss method nor an alternative for exercise and healthy eating.
What Is Neck Liposuction?
Neck liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat from the subcutaneous tissue of the neck to give it a slimmer appearance.
The procedure works best in patients with good skin elasticity. Otherwise, the skin may not bounce back as desired, leaving you with loose, saggy skin.
If you have moderate to severe lax skin, your surgeon may recommend combining neck liposuction with a neck lift or facelift for more dramatic improvements. A neck lift will help remove excess skin and tighten weak or loose neck muscles.
Related: How to get Rid of Neck Fat (Double Chin).
Possible Risks of Neck Liposuction
All surgical procedures carry risks, such as bleeding, infection, pain, allergic reaction to anesthesia, and scarring. Potential complications specific to neck liposuction and other liposuction procedures include:
- Severe bruising
- Persistent swelling
- Irregular or uneven contours due to poor skin elasticity, uneven fat removal, or poor wound healing
- Skin color changes
- Temporary, or in some cases, permanent numbness
- Blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
- Fluid accumulation
- Fat embolism
- Burn injuries
- Organ puncture
- Lidocaine toxicity
- Need for revision surgery
Your surgeon will discuss the potential risks with you before your liposuction treatment. Several factors can increase your likelihood of complications, including your surgeon’s skills and experience and whether you’re having multiple procedures done at the same session.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Neck Liposuction?
Generally, a good candidate for neck liposuction:
- Has a stable body weight but has excess fat in your neck area
- Has good skin tone and elasticity
- Does not have a medical condition that can increase risks associated with surgery
- Does not smoke
- Has realistic expectations and fully understands the risks involved
Neck Liposuction Cost
How much is neck liposuction?
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, neck contouring procedures price range from $1,200 to $12,700.
The cost of neck liposuction varies depending on factors such as the type of liposuction used, your surgeon’s training and experience, and the facility location.
The cost increases as additional variables are added, including anesthesia fees, operating room fees, size of the treatment area, and postoperative medication costs. To know the actual cost of your procedure, consult your surgeon.
Health insurance policies typically do not cover neck liposuction and its complications. So to make the surgery more affordable, plastic surgeons usually offer patient financing plans.
Related: Liposuction Cost – Here is the cost of liposuction surgery for different body parts.
Neck Liposuction Procedure
Preparation
Before your neck liposuction, you will have a scheduled consultation with the plastic surgeon you choose to perform the surgery.
As part of the appointment, you will discuss your surgical goals with your surgeon and have the chance to ask any questions regarding the procedure.
The surgeon, in turn, will explain all aspects of the procedure, including its benefits and potential risks. Ensure you understand everything about your surgery and available alternatives before signing a consent form.
Your surgeon will also review your medical history and ask about medications, dietary supplements, and psychoactive drugs you may be taking. Your skin and neck area also gets examined to determine the best course of treatment.
If found to be a good candidate for liposuction, your surgeon may ask you to do the following in preparation for your procedure:
- Stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and contraceptive pills.
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
- Stop smoking if you are a smoker.
- Go for a comprehensive physical examination, which usually includes laboratory tests, urinalysis, cardiac evaluation, and pulmonary function tests.
Remember to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.
During surgery
Neck liposuction typically involves the following steps:
- You receive local anesthesia to numb your neck area.
- A medical solution gets injected into the site requiring treatment to reduce bruising and bleeding.
- The surgeon makes tiny, easily-concealable incisions under your chin and behind each ear.
- A cannula is then inserted through these incisions to dislodge the unwanted fat by moving it back and forth. Depending on the technique, ultrasonic energy, laser energy, or radiofrequency energy is also used to break up the fat cells.
- A vacuum or syringe that’s attached to the cannula suctions out the dislodged fat.
- The surgeon may leave the incisions open to place small temporary drains that prevent blood and fluid from accumulating at the surgical site. Otherwise, the surgeon will close the incisions with dissolvable sutures.
Liposuction of the neck takes thirty minutes to an hour to complete.
Neck liposuction recovery
You’re typically able to leave the hospital shortly after the procedure. Expect some pain, swelling, and bruising in the defatted area.
Prescription or over-the-counter pain medications should help control whatever pain or discomfort you experience.
As for minimizing the swelling and bruising, you will likely have to wear a compression garment or chin strap for a couple of days following surgery. These also help compress the skin to your neck contour, ensuring proper healing.
Most patients return to work and their normal activities after a few days, typically 2 to 4 days. But you will usually need to wait a few weeks before resuming exercise and heavy lifting.
Follow the postoperative instructions you receive to ensure a successful outcome.
Related: Learn How to Reduce Swelling After Liposuction Surgery.
Results
The results of your neck liposuction become evident when the swelling and discoloration subside, typically within 1-2 weeks after surgery. Ideally, the final result will be a youthful, contoured neck.
Neck liposuction results are long-lasting as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and a steady weight. Otherwise, the remaining fat cells can grow larger, undoing the results of your procedure.
The scars that result from liposuction of the neck are small and will usually fade over time, becoming barely noticeable. A board-certified plastic surgeon will know how to prevent visible scarring.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons.(n.d). Liposuction. plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction.
- Mayo Clinic staff (April 23, 2021). Liposuction. mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liposuction/about/pac-20384586.
- Medical News Today (January 5, 2018). What are the benefits and risks of liposuction? medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180450.
- Parker Center for Plastic Surgery (August 11, 2020). Neck Lift or Neck Liposuction. parkercenter.net/blog/neck-lift-or-neck-liposuction/
- Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation ( July 6, 2021). Neck Liposuction Boston. bcffr.com/plastic-surgery/neck-liposuction.
