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Suction Contouring of the Neck
You are interested in information regarding surgery to correct a contour problem of the neck. This is usually an excess of fat in the neck and jowl area.
Suction removal of fat has been found to be beneficial for many patients not ready for a full face-neck lift, or not wanting to undergo the extensive surgery of a face and neck lift.
The benefits of suction removal of fat of a localized area such as the neck compared to a formal face lift usually include small incisions versus the more extensive incisions required for a face lift; decreased chances of complications that while rare, could occur. These include bleeding, skin problems, widening of scars, etc.
Please be aware that suction removal of fat, while less complicated than a facelift, does carry certain risks. Serious problems have not been seen in Dr. Capuano's experience.
What has been seen has been residual fat in the area, unevenness and/or irregularities in the areas treated for which secondary 'touch up' surgery has been indicated.
Some patients notice firm "cords" in the neck area following surgery. These may be somewhat noticeable, and may be persistent. These are bands of muscle that are present in the neck. You can see such bands of muscle in thin models and actresses. These bands can be changed by other procedures if they should be a problem.
Although severe problems and/or complications have not occurred to date, the possibility is always there for these to occur.
If you decide to go ahead with surgery, this procedure is usually done as an in the office or as an ambulatory surgery procedure. This means you will have your surgery and be able to go home the same day, provided you have someone to stay with you at home for at least 24 hours if you have sedation.
You may be able to have your surgery done under a local anesthetic with sedation, or you may want to have a general anesthetic (go to sleep). Following surgery, you will have a bandage in place. This bandage should remain clean, dry and on until you are seen in the office, i.e.. about 48 hours or until instructed otherwise. This allows the tissues to stick together. If you do not apply pressure to the treated area then fluid and or blood can accumulate where the fat once resided. This can lead to less than the best results.
Please also not that this procedure is NOT a neck lift !! that means that the skin will not be as tight as if a neck lift had been done. The trade off is small incision, much less chance of complications, faster return to activities and work (a few days vs at least a week or two,) and expense. A neck lift can always be done in the future - no bridges are burned.
You will experience various degrees of black and blue. Usually this is minimal and lasts only a few days. There will be some swelling. Numbness is noted for a few days to a few weeks, but sometimes more. Usually the area of numbness is small and gets smaller over time. This is an expected consequence of surgery, and resolves in time.
You should not pull or tug at your neck as this can cause a problem with "sticking" as mentioned above.
Note that during the suction, suction of the jowl area can be done. This is NOT a face lift !! It does help to decrease jowls to some degree. Dr Capuano will discuss this with you.
Who is not a good candidate. Those individuals with very wrinkled skin, (vertical folds), are not good candidates. While the skin will retract, the folds will persist. This may not be acceptable to you. Pulling of the skin to the side may be needed and this can be accomplished only with a neck lift.
You will usually be given prescriptions for medications for swelling, discomfort, and in some cases an antibiotic.
If you should experience a sudden onset of discomfort, marked increase in swelling and/or increasing temperature, call the office (no one has so far).
You should eat a soft diet, i.e., no vigorous chewing. We advise that you drink liquids, (soups, and juices) during the day after your surgery. After your first office visit, you may gradually resume your regular diet.
At the time of your first office visit, the dressing will be removed. You will notice firmness in the area, and it may be irregular due in part to the dressing.
You will be advised regarding post op care. You will be seen in the office periodically following your surgery. Mostly special dissolvable sutures are used and there is no need for suture removal.
Currently our experience has been that patients being operated on Thursday or Friday return to work (some with turtlenecks or high collars) on the Monday or Tuesday next.
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