Neck liposuction is one of the most popular neck-contouring procedures involving the removal of excess fat that forms a double chin. With liposuction, a patient can have a more defined neckline as the unwanted fat is suctioned out. People usually seek this kind of treatment when exercise and a healthy diet aren’t enough to eliminate the neck fat.
Unlike a neck lift surgery, neck liposuction – also referred to as submental liposuction – doesn’t involve any skin removal. This makes the procedure shorter, less invasive, and faster to recover from.
How Can You Benefit from Neck Liposuction?
Choosing this neck-contouring procedure gives you the following benefits:
It deals with the fat you can’t shed through diet and exercise.
The presence of excessive fat below your chin and the neck region can be a result of genetics. Liposuction is a great option when your attempts to reduce it through fat-burning meals and workouts have failed.
It refines your jawline.
You gain a slimmer facial profile, with a clear distinction between your face and neck, as the stubborn fat under your chin and around your neck disappears.
Incisions made during the procedure are hardly noticeable.
Surgeons normally make incisions behind the ears or under the chin to insert a small tube called the cannula, which is used to suction out the fat.
Healing is fast and discomfort is minimal.
Surgeons usually advise patients to rest for only one to two weeks, as long as they don’t experience any complications.
Patients are usually able to manage the pain through medication. The clinic provides a compression wrap to be worn during the rest period to ease swelling. Absorbable sutures dissolve in five to seven days while external sutures are removed after a week.
Results are long-lasting.
The fats removed during the procedure won’t grow back or be replaced by new fat cells. As long as you don’t experience excessive weight gain, any remaining fat cells in your neck won’t expand.
It can be combined with other facial procedures.
Neck lift surgery, facelift, or rhinoplasty can also be performed along with neck liposuction to further improve the contour of your face.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Neck liposuction can run from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of fat being removed and the area of one’s neck that’s being treated.
How Should You Prepare for the Procedure?
A successful procedure involves the following:
1. Finding the right surgeon
Do your research and seek referrals to ensure that qualified hands will handle the surgery. Check the surgeon’s years of training and experience, particularly the number of neck liposuction procedures they have already performed. Looking at before and after surgery photos can also help you learn about the surgeon’s quality of work.
2. Prepare for your pre-surgery consultation.
Once you’ve chosen your surgeon, prepare for your first meeting. Besides bringing along your health records, be ready to answer questions about your medical history, allergies, and current medication.
Also, note down all your questions and concerns. This will help clarify expectations before, during, and after surgery day.
Bleeding and negative reaction to anesthesia are among the risks of liposuction. Hence, neck liposuction isn’t recommended for people with blood-clotting disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, and heart problems. In rare cases, complications include contour irregularities (bumpy or wavy skin surface due to poor elasticity or uneven fat removal), temporary fluid accumulation, and fat embolism or loosened fat being trapped in a blood vessel.
3. Follow your surgeon’s advice.
Your surgeon is likely to ask you to do the following:
o Undergo lab tests.
o Stop taking certain medicines – blood thinners, fever relievers, and anti-inflammatory drugs – three weeks before your surgery. This will reduce or prevent excessive bruising and swelling.
o Avoid alcoholic drinks and smoking two to four weeks before undergoing liposuction. They can decrease blood flow, slowing down the healing of wounds or increasing the risk of bleeding.
o Avoid sunbathing to prevent skin from loosening.
o Avoid shaving the liposuction area. Bacteria from your razor can cause infection and affect the procedure or recovery.
o Avoid applying lotion or moisturizers around the liposuction area. This will ensure that the ink markers used to outline the treatment area won’t rub off too easily from your skin.
What Is the Recovery Period Like?
The recovery journey is unique for each individual. But the most common side effects post-surgery include itchiness in the incision sites, swelling, soreness, and numbness, which should subside over time.
You’ll have to sleep on your back, elevating your head with two pillows for a week or two after the liposuction.
To optimize the effects of the procedure, patients may have to wait for about two to three weeks before resuming strenuous activities, including lifting, exercise, and swimming. However, you may be able to return to your regular non-physically straining daily routine after a week’s rest.
Entrust Your Neck Contouring with Palmer Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. Russel Palmer and his team of experts can reveal the neckline you’ve always had. The clinic has spent over 30 years improving people’s self-image through various cosmetic surgeries, including liposuction. Contact us for a complimentary consultation today.