What is Neck (Submental) Liposuction?

Many people struggle with excess fat underneath the chin and neck. Some patient’s genetically have excess fat in the area since their teenage years. This area is particularly resistant to diet and exercise and even very motivated patients can have stubborn fat that won’t go away. Liposuction uses small suction cannulas to permanently remove the excess fat under the chin and neck.

What Are The Benefits Of Neck Liposuction?

Neck liposuction can permanently remove stubborn fat that wont go away with diet and exercise. It can improve the patients neck contour and profile. Targeted liposuction can improve patient’s jawline definition. This procedure can be combined with a facelift/necklift or skin tightening procedures for improved results. 

Who Are The Best Candidates for Neck Liposuction?

Aging of the neck involves 3 components: skin, muscle (platysma), and fat. While we can remove excess fat using liposuction, we cannot remove excess skin. Therefore, patients who have more youthful elastic skin will get better results as the skin heals.  Treatments like Kybella only involve removing the fat and don’t treat the skin or muscle. An important benefit of this treatment over Kybella is the physical act of liposuction which can stimulate the skin to re-drape over the neck with a much improved contour. If you have stubborn fat under your chin and have good skin elasticity, you may be a great candidate for neck liposuction.

How is Neck Liposuction Performed?

Neck liposuction can be done awake under local anesthesia in the office. The procedure typically lasts about an hour and you can go home immediately after completion. After the neck is thoroughly cleansed, numbing medicine and saline are injected into the neck. This provides good anesthesia and makes the procedure comfortable. Three small incisions are made with a needle. Two are at the base of the ear lobe and one is just underneath the chin. Very small cannulas are then used to directly remove fat from the neck and under the chin. These incisions are so small they typically do not even need a suture to be closed. They heal beautifully without any evidence something had been done. After the procedure we place a chin support strap and you are allowed to go home.  

When Do I See The Benefits From Neck Liposuction?

Improved neck contour is visible immediately after the procedure. It takes 1-2 weeks for the initial swelling to subside from the neck. Once this swelling resolves, it takes weeks for the skin to re-drape into a new and improved position. How much skin contracture occurs is dependent on the patient’s own skin elasticity and is variable. Improvements continue from 6 weeks to 3 months thus it is important to be patient for final results.

Recovering from Neck Liposuction

Immediately After Surgery

Immediately after neck liposuction you will wear a supportive chin strap. The operation is well tolerated and mild discomfort typically is treated with tylenol.

The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery

It is important to take it easy the first day or two after surgery. The compression bandage is to be worn continuously the first 48 hours to encourage the skin to heal back down. Any discomfort should dissipate quickly. Mild bruising and swelling may occur and start improving after the first 48 hours.

The First 2 Weeks After Surgery

After 48 hours we encourage you to wear the chin strap as much as possible for the first week. Please refrain from strenuous activity and exercise for 1 week. You will quickly be back to your normal routine and it is important to allow time for the skin to heal and show the maximum benefits of the procedure.