Neck liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes hard-to-target pockets of fat under the chin and around the neck.
At Palo Alto Dermatology Institute, this procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia with our without IV sedation, depending on your unique circumstances and the amount of fat that will need to be removed. When the treatment begins, your surgeon will make small incisions below the earlobes and under the chin. The incisions are very small, do not require stitches, and heal with virtually no visible scarring.
Once the incisions have been made, your Palo Alto Dermatology Institute surgeon will begin the neck liposuction by injecting a tumescent fluid into the treatment area through one of the incisions. This fluid helps loosen the fatty tissues and also contains small amounts of lidocaine, a local anesthetic that increases patient comfort during the procedure and the subsequent recovery. Further, the solution is also formulated with epinephrine, which constricts the blood vessels in order to minimize potential bleeding.
After the fluid has had time to affect the treated area, the surgeon will begin the neck liposuction by inserting a small cannula through the incision under the chin to address the double chin. The surgeon will then move the cannula back and forth under the skin, following the underlying contours of the neck. This further helps break down the fat deposits and allows the cannula to target the fat by suctioning it out.
To target the jawline more directly, your Palo Alto Dermatology Institute surgeon will also direct the cannula through the incision under the earlobes during neck liposuction to improve the contour of the jawline. This will further help with breaking down and removing the fat deposits from the treatment site.
Depending on your situation, the surgeon may use different types of cannulas (all of which are very thin) to remove the fat evenly, and to sculpt the neck.
After the treatment is complete, you will be able to go home for recovery (please have someone drive you, as you will not be able to drive yourself). The neck liposuction recovery will take a few days but healing takes months or more. The majority of patients have completed most of the initial healing in a few weeks and can return to social activities typically in less than a week. Final healing, as collagen remodels, takes approximately one year, but can vary from patient to patient.
To help the neck heal after the procedure, you will be required to wear a chin strap during the day and at night and cervical collar, for three days after the procedure. This is essential for best outcomes, as it allows the skin to reattach to the underlying tissues without interference of any fluid buildup and folding of the skin.
