Neck Liposuction

Liposuction can be performed on the neck area when patients present stubborn fat deposits below their chin, lower face and on the neck. This is a very common problem that affects people of all ages.  Unfortunately, when fat accumulates near the neck, the angular shape of your chin and jaw is lost. With liposuction, Dr. Ljung can sculpt this area and remove unwanted fat, thereby restoring the natural lines of your lower face and improving your appearance.

With new liposuction techniques, plastic surgeons can provide more precise results and shorter recovery times. While no liposuction procedure can replace dieting and exercise, it can remove persistent areas of neck fat that do not go away after traditional weight-loss methods have been tried.

Are You a Candidate for Neck Contouring?

The best candidates for neck liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in the neck. Furthermore, candidates should also be be

• Physically healthy
• Psychologically stable
• Realistic in their expectations

While your age is not a major consideration for this procedure, older patients are more likely to have poor skin elasticity and therefore may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

Due to increased risks, those with medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation, or those who have recently had surgery near the neck are not considered good candidates.

How Neck Liposuction Surgery Works

During neck liposuction, Dr. Ljung removes localized deposits of neck fat to sculpt your neck area and lower face. Through a tiny incision, he inserts a narrow tube or cannula to vacuum the fat layer that lies beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out.

Risks and Complications to Be Aware Of

Liposuction is normally safe, as long as patients are carefully selected, the operating facility is properly equipped and the plastic surgeon is adequately trained.  However, it's important to keep in mind that even though a well-trained surgeon and a state-of-the art facility can improve your chance of having a good result, there are no guarantees.

The combination of these factors can create greater hazards for infection; delays in healing; the formation of fat clots or blood clots, which may migrate to the lungs and cause death; excessive fluid loss, which can lead to shock or fluid accumulation that must be drained; friction burns or other damage to the skin or nerves or perforation injury to the vital organs; and unfavorable drug reactions.

The scars from neck liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. However, imperfections in the final appearance are not uncommon after liposuction. The skin surface may be irregular, asymmetric or even baggy, especially in the older patient. Numbness and pigmentation changes may occur. Sometimes, additional surgery may be recommended.

What Happens After Neck Contouring

After surgery, you may experience some fluid drainage from the incisions. A small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up. To control swelling and promote skin contraction, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the neck for several days.  Dr. Ljung may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.

You might not look or feel great right after surgery. Even though the newer techniques are believed to reduce some post-operative discomforts, you may still experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. Pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.

It is normal to feel a bit anxious or depressed in the days or weeks following surgery. However, this feeling will subside as you begin to look and feel better.

Returning to Normal

Healing is a gradual process.  You will begin to feel better after about a week or two and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery. The stitches are removed or dissolve on their own within the first week to 10 days.

Activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal. Although most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within three weeks, some swelling may remain for six months or more.  Dr. Ljung will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and to see if any additional procedures are needed.

To learn more about neck contouring with liposuction, contact the office of Wilmington plastic surgeon Dr. Tor Ljung.