Neck liposuction, otherwise called a chin liposuction, is a popular cosmetic procedure for correcting a double-chin and reducing the appearance of a heavy neck. It is designed to enhance a patient’s naturally sculpted features by removing unwanted fat from the neck and chin area.
The results are a more defined chin and sculpted jawline neck area, and a rejuvenated appearance. It’s a great option for those who have already attempted to remove stubborn fatty deposits through diet and exercise, but with little success.
The results often do wonders in boosting the self-confidence of an individual. The surgery itself is minimally invasive and typically only takes an hour to perform. It also doesn’t require an extensive recovery process post-surgery, allowing patients to quickly return to their normal lives.
What Does Neck Liposuction Procedure Involve?
It’s important to note that neck liposuction focuses on removing fat deposits but does not address excess skin or slack muscles. It’s ideal for people who have good skin elasticity and simply want to get rid of extraneous fat in the chin and neck area.
Neck liposuction is performed by using numbing medication, suctioning the fat evenly throughout the neck with closed system cannulas connected to suction, and applying compression garments after the procedure is complete.
Where sagging skin is a concern, a neck lift surgery is usually more appropriate. It involves reshaping the neck muscles and tightening loose skin.
This is much better suited to individuals who experience lax skin and muscle tone due to aging or significant weight loss.
In some cases, a neck liposuction and lift can be performed together for more optimal results. At Miami, you will always be consulted by a professional to determine the best procedure for you.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate?
A neck liposuction is most beneficial to those with excess fatty tissue and submental fat: the fat on the underside of the chin responsible for the appearance of a double chin or a thicker neck.
Good candidates are usually between the ages of 20 and 50, as they typically display good skin elasticity and tone.
Candidates should also be in good physical and emotional health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for the long-term success of the procedure.
Successful candidates are those who are ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising, and limiting the use of certain medications like blood thinners.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate?
While chin lipo can dramatically improve a person’s appearance, it is not a comprehensive solution for overweight individuals or a substitute for weight loss.
Additionally, those lacking skin elasticity may experience sagging skin post-surgery, which could require additional procedures to correct.
Causes of a Double Chin
A double chin can be a source of acute anxiety and insecurity for many individuals. Though it often results from weight gain, even people at a normal weight can experience a double chin.
It is influenced by several factors including genetics, poor posture, and aging skin. In particular, individuals with less pronounced jawlines or recessive chins may be more likely to develop fat around the chin due to the skin stretching over a smaller area.
How To Treat Stubborn Fat Around the Chin?
A combination of diet and exercise can help to reduce the appearance of a double chin. However, stubborn fat persists in some cases and procedures like liposuction can prove necessary.
The results of these procedures can vary from person to person. For some, a single treatment may be sufficient to achieve the desired result.
For others, a combination of treatments may be necessary. A qualified healthcare professional will always work with you to determine the best course of action for your individual needs.
What Is the Procedure Like?
The procedure is generally an hour long and performed under local anesthesia, although there may be a need for general anesthesia depending on the patient and what Dr. K recommends. Tiny incisions are made under the chin or behind the ears. Additional incisions may also be made according to your needs.
Through the small incisions, your surgeon will insert a cannula and remove fat deposits while contouring the chin and neck area. When enough fat has been withdrawn, the cannula (small tube) is removed and the incisions are closed by suture.
What is Recovery Like?
Most patients can generally return to normal activities within a few weeks of surgery. It’s essential that patients adhere to all post-operative care instructions for a smooth and speedy recovery.
Immediately after the procedure, a compression garment is applied to the treatment area to reduce swelling and bruising. The patient should continue to wear this for at least two weeks after the surgery.
It’s quite possible that the fat removed during the procedure can result in watery, blood-tinged leakage from the incision sites.
This typically ceases after a week. Likewise, it’s completely normal to experience some swelling and bruising as a consequence of surgery, and these can be managed with the help of over-the-counter medication and ice packs.
All patients should of course be kind to their bodies and ensure they don’t over-exert themselves physically.
What Are the Risks?
As with any surgical procedure, neck lipo carries a degree of risk. Complications can include infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
It is essential to choose an experienced surgeon to ensure the best possible outcome and minimize potential complications associated with plastic surgery.
There is also the possibility of uneven contours or asymmetry in the chin and neck area post-procedure. Other risks include the formation of seromas or fluid-filled pockets, skin discoloration, and numbness around the treated area.
It’s crucial that all patients fully understand and discuss the potential risks with their surgeon, as well as take great care to follow all of their aftercare instructions.
What Is the Cost of Neck Liposuction in Miami?
The cost of neck liposuction in Miami is between $3,000 – $6,000 according to certain factors, including the extent of the procedure, the expertise of the surgeon and the type of anesthesia used.
It’s good to bear in mind that neck liposuction cost can vary depending on the surgeon, and the amount of fat that needs to be taken from the neck. Neck liposuction surgery is often part of a comprehensive body sculpting plan that may include different procedures like fat transfer, Brazilian butt lift, and breast surgery.
It’s crucial to consider the long-term benefits of the procedure. For many patients, the resulting confidence and improved appearance far outweigh the initial cost.
What Leads to Fullness or Excess Fat in the Chin / Submental Neck?
Several factors can lead to fullness or excess fat in the chin or submental neck area. In some cases, it may be due to airway positioning, weight gain or hereditary factors. A specific concern in this area is the appearance of a ‘turkey neck,’ which can be effectively addressed by neck liposuction.
Even people who are near their ideal weight may struggle with this issue due to the stubborn nature of the fat cells in this area. At times, the fullness may not be due to fat at all but rather a result of a small chin or jawline, which does not project enough, thereby creating an “apparent fullness”.
In such cases where liposuction procedures may not be enough, other treatments such as chin implant or breast augmentation may be recommended.
As with all cosmetic surgery procedures, results may vary based on individual factors. It’s always best to consult your surgeon to determine the best treatment for your individual needs.
Neck Liposuction vs Neck Lift
Neck liposuction and a neck lift are both cosmetic procedures designed to improve the appearance of the neck, but they target different issues. Neck liposuction is ideal for individuals with good skin elasticity and localized fat deposits, as it removes excess fat to enhance neck contour with minimal recovery time.
In contrast, a neck lift procedure is suited for those with significant skin laxity and muscle banding, providing a more youthful appearance by tightening loose skin and underlying muscles like the platysma muscle, albeit with a longer recovery period. The choice between the two depends on the specific concerns and desired outcomes of the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I Have Loose Skin After the Procedure?
If there is already a significant amount of excess skin in the neck area, liposuction alone may not be enough to achieve desired results.
In such cases, a second procedure, such as a neck reshaping or skin tightening treatment, may be recommended to address the extra skin.
Another important factor to consider is skin elasticity. Areas that lack elasticity may not be able to fully contract after fat removal. The success of your liposuction procedure depends on the individual’s skin quality and its ability to retract and conform to the new contour of the more defined chin.
Weak muscle tone also affects the looseness of the skin. In some cases, a neck lift may be combined with liposuction to address muscle laxity.
How Long Does the Procedure Last?
Fat removal through neck liposuction performed is permanent. Once the unwanted fatty tissue has been removed, it cannot return as new fat cells.
That being said, it is important to note that the remaining fat cells can still fluctuate in size with overall weight changes. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable weight after the procedure is crucial to ensure long-lasting results.
References
[1] Keramidas E, Rodopoulou S. Radiofrequency-assisted Liposuction for Neck and Lower Face Adipodermal Remodeling and Contouring. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016 Aug 24;4(8):e850. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000809. PMID: 27622118; PMCID: PMC5010341.
[2] Diniz DA, Gonçalves KK, Silva CC, Araújo ES, Carneiro SC, Lago CA, Vasconcelos BC. Complications associated with submental liposuction: a scoping review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2022 May 1;27(3):e257-e264. doi: 10.4317/medoral.25122. PMID: 35420070; PMCID: PMC9054168.