Neck Contouring

There is increasingly more interest in rejuvenating and improving the contour of the area under the chin. While there are non-surgical treatments to address this area, such as Coolsculpting, Belkyra, and Ultherapy, these often provide marginally results in some patients. Neck Contouring surgery is an option to shape the neck with liposuction under the chin and the upper portion of the neck, or a submentoplasty, which is an abbreviated type of neck lift that is mostly used on patients who have fat deposits/fullness but who do not have skin excess. Patients who have skin excess are generally better candidates for a neck lift, which can be performed in combination with a face lift.   Neck liposuction involves using a small cannula to directly remove superficial fat under suction. Although this is an effective contouring modality, it does not address the muscle or the fat under the muscle which can greatly contribute to the double chin and fullness that patients dislike. The submentoplasty procedure involves making a small incision under the chin, then performing liposuction and direct superficial and deep fat removal, as well as tightening the platysma muscles to effectively contour the neck.

This is a great surgery for patients who, in general, do not have a defined jawline, complain of a double chin, and for those who may have failed non-surgical treatments such as Coolsculpting or Belkyra injections.  The common theme is that patients will need to have good skin elasticity.

You may be a candidate for this surgery if:

• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• You don’t smoke
• You have poor chin and neck profile (double chin)
• You do not have significant skin excess

Both Neck Liposuction and Submentoplasty surgery is generally performed at an outpatient surgical facility, either under  IV sedation or general anesthetia.  In the preoperative area, surgical markings are drawn on the lower face and chin region. Immediately after surgery, you will be taken into a recovery area for close monitoring and will be permitted to go home the same day with a responsible adult when you are stable for discharge, typically after an hour. It is important that you have someone that will stay with you for the first 24 hours.

Patients should keep their incisions dry for 24 hours. Swelling and bruising in the area of the surgery will be present and generally begins to improve about 1 week after surgery. Pain medication and often antibiotics will be prescribed and should be taken to mitigate surgical site discomfort. A compression band will be placed after surgery, and should be worn for 4-6 weeks. It can be removed as needed, but recommended to wear it as much as possible. A thin layer of polysporin should be placed over the chin incision every day until the sutures are removed, at day 7.