Neck Contouring With Smartlipo (Laser Liposuction)

The neck is a common site for the accumulation of fat and the development of loose skin as one ages. Some younger people have significant fat in their necks due to hereditary and a predisposition based on their body type. The small size of the neck makes liposuction an effective procedure for many fuller neck problems.

The success of neck liposuction depends on an understanding of the underlying anatomical problem. One key question is how much loose skin exists in the neck. This can be easily determined by feeling the neck between the fingers. A lot of loose skin suggests that a face lift is likely needed. Another important question is the anatomy of the deeper platysma muscle. Is it together or is it apart in the middle? Since liposuction cannot tighten the platysma muscle, one needs to know if a split platysma muscle is making a significant contribution to how the neck looks. If so, suturing the muscle together may be needed. In addition, there are other underlying structures that can make the neck angle more obtuse no matter how much fat is removed. A low hyoid bone or ptotic or low lying submandibular glands (both lie under the platysma muscle) can affect the neck angle. The point is...every full neck does not always end up needing liposuction as the primary treatment method.

While conventional or tumescent liposuction of the neck typically produces good results, it is not a perfect procedure. It does create some visible bruising and swelling afterward and the neck be quite hard and swollen for weeks. Smartlipo (laser liposuction) of the neck appears to be a liposuction advancement for this area. The technique consists of using a dual-wavelength laser probe which is introduced into the fat layer under the skin. Unlike its use in the body, the laser heat must be less as the neck can get too hot very quickly and one doesn't want to burn the skin. Because of this concern, I like to keep power levels less than 12 joules.of no greater than 12 joules. As soon as the neck begins to feel warm, lasering should stop and fat evacuation should begin.

My experience has been that the heat from the laser probe adds an increased level of effectiveness over traditional liposuction due to the effect of the heat. This generation of heat may help skin shrink down or contract better. This would be of particular benefit in thinner skin or necks in which there more loose skin. (and the patient does want any variation of a neck lifting procedure)

There certainly appears to be less bruising and swelling of the neck with laser liposuction. With the decreased swelling and bruising is that patients report less pain also. (although neck liposuction is not a particularly painful procedure anyway)

Smartlipo of the neck can be done fairly comfortably under local anesthesia for most patients. If the amount of neck area to be covered is extensive or if there are other procedures to be done at the same time (which is most common), then some form of anesthesia would be a better choice. You don't want to limit the result that could be achieved because one is feeling discomfort or is very nervous.

Dr Barry Eppley is a board-certified premiere plastic surgeon in Indianapolis, Indiana where he practices at his Ology Spa locations at Clarian North Medical Center in Carmel Indiana and at Clarian West Medical Center in Avon Indiana. eppleyplasticsurgery.com eppleyplasticsurgery.com He writes a daily blog on plastic surgery, spa therapies, and medical skin care at exploreplasticsurgery.com exploreplasticsurgery.com Dr. Eppley can be heard weekly on his radio show, Doc Chat, on WXNT 1430 AM every Saturday afternoon.