Submental liposuction is a technique that removes fat beneath the neck. Generally, it is a genetic accumulation of fat that occurs giving the neck a full appearance. The best candidates are usually younger, 20’s and 30’s, and have good skin quality. It is one of those cosmetic procedures that can have life-changing and dramatic results, yet has minimal downtime. Most patients receive comments such as “You look thinner!” and “Have you lost weight?”
Many people deal with double chins and / or large necks. Fat deposits below the chin can be very frustrating as they are incredibly hard to lose and in many cases, are not even a sign of being overweight. When genetics are to blame, diet and exercise hardly touch the problem. Thankfully, liposuction of the neck can contour a slimmer, more aesthetic appearance.
A neck lift can include multiple procedures with the end result of thinning the appearance of the neck. The procedures include tightening or in some cases removing muscle through small incisions either behind the ears or under the chin. It also includes removing excess skin and pulling, then suturing the remaining skin tight around the neck. This neck tightening surgical procedure is good for people who are otherwise in good health, looking to remove sagging skin including “jowls”. A neck lift often includes neck liposuction. It is a more complex surgery than liposuction alone that takes about two to four hours.
Many people looking for a way to accomplish a double chin removal choose neck liposuction. Our Cosmetic Surgeons performs neck liposuction in San Diego by inserting a cannula (“suction wand”) into a small incision either behind the ears or under the chin to remove access fat, while reshaping the contours of the neck. Neck Lipo is commonly completed under local anesthetic. Based on the patient’s anxiety level, sedatives can also be given.
Most patients report very minor pain after a cosmetic neck surgery which can be controlled with oral pain medication. For those that have neck lipo, it is common for patients to return to work after about three days but we recommend taking a week off if possible. For those who undergo a full neck lift, we recommend taking a full week off work and only to participate in minor activity for a few weeks following the surgery.
The most uncomfortable part of recovery for most patients tends to be wearing the neck compression garment. A patient must wear a neck compression garment (chin or neck strap) for as long as they can for two weeks. After that first two weeks, it should be worn at night for about a month.
San Diego neck liposuction and neck lift surgeons recommend liposuction alone for patients in their 20’s or 30’s who are struggling to slim down their neck or get rid of a double chin. This age group often has optimal skin elasticity and so the skin should tighten naturally back around the neck once the fat has been eliminated. For patients with poorer skin tone, liposuction on its own can leave the skin loose. For these patients, a neck lift including lipo would be recommended. This can be discussed and evaluated at your initial consultation.
The Board Certified Plastic Surgeons at Ranch & Coast have done thousands of neck augmentation treatments. Neck contouring through liposuction or neck lifts in San Diego are very sought after cosmetic procedures at our Del Mar spa-like surgical facility and our team loves to see so many patients thrilled with their results. If you would like to know more about the procedure, discuss possible alternatives or go over the cost of neck liposuction in San Diego, please give us a call at Ranch and Coast Plastic Surgery today!
Skin needs time to shrink and contract. It can take up to six months to see your final result but most people see an improvement within a few weeks and desired results within three months. It is common for the neck to appear more full a few days (sometimes even weeks) after surgery. The swelling will go down—we see most swelling subside at about the three-week marker.
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