The good news is that submental liposuction is highly effective and predictable at creating or restoring a beautiful appearance to this area.

What Neck Liposuction Is Designed to Do

Neck liposuction, also called submental liposuction, removes excess fat beneath the chin to:

  • Sharpen the cervicomental angle (the transition between chin and neck)
  • Restore jawline definition
  • Improve facial balance and profile
  • Create a leaner, more athletic appearance

This procedure does more than make the neck look thinner. By restoring the natural border between the jaw and neck, it significantly improves how youthful, healthy, and energetic a person appears.

Dr. Teitelbaum considers submental liposuction one of his favorite procedures because it is safe, precise, non-obvious, and delivers consistently beautiful results.

Experience, Technique, and Anesthesia Options

Dr. Teitelbaum has performed submental liposuction since 1995 on hundreds of patients. He is experienced with:

  • Syringe-assisted liposuction
  • Power-assisted liposuction
  • Ultrasonic liposuction
  • Traditional techniques
  • He selects the method that best suits each patient’s anatomy and goals.

Neck liposuction can be performed using:

  • Local anesthesia
  • IV sedation
  • General anesthesia

The choice depends on comfort preferences and whether other procedures are performed concurrently.

Natural Neck Contouring

Neck liposuction should never be overdone. As we age, fat naturally diminishes and neck muscles become more visible. Removing too much fat can result in a skeletonized or prematurely aged neck.

Dr. Teitelbaum is meticulous about preserving a thin layer of fat to maintain smoothness, softness, and long-term aesthetic quality. Many patients he sees years later benefit precisely because fat was removed judiciously, not aggressively.

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Neck Liposuction vs. Neck Lift

One of the most important decisions is determining whether liposuction alone is appropriate, or whether a neck lift is required.

Neck liposuction corrects:

  • Excess fat only

A neck lift addresses:

  • Loose or hanging skin
  • Visible muscle bands
  • Structural aging of the neck

The ideal candidate for neck liposuction has firm, elastic skin that will tighten naturally after fat removal. Patients with loose skin or muscle banding are better served by a neck lift or facelift.

Dr. Teitelbaum’s experience allows him to clearly explain what result each option will produce, so patients can make informed decisions with confidence.

Recovery After Neck Liposuction

Recovery after neck (submental) liposuction is typically straightforward and well tolerated. Most patients experience mild swelling, firmness, and bruising under the chin and along the neck for several days. Discomfort is usually minimal and well controlled without significant pain medication.

A compression garment is worn to support healing and help the skin re-drape smoothly. Many patients return to non-strenuous work within a few days, though visible swelling may persist for one to two weeks. Exercise and heavy activity are generally resumed after several weeks, once healing is secure.

Final contour refinement continues gradually as swelling resolves and the tissues settle.

Before & After

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Combining Neck Liposuction with Other Procedures

With Chin Implant

Chin length and neck fullness must always be evaluated together. A double chin can make a normal chin appear short, while a small chin can exaggerate neck fullness. In patients with both concerns, chin augmentation and neck liposuction can be safely combined for optimal balance.

With Facelift

Neck liposuction is often performed during a facelift—but only when appropriate. Too much fat removal during a facelift can lead to visible muscle bands and worsened skin texture. Dr. Teitelbaum carefully evaluates skin and fat thickness to avoid these pitfalls and ensure natural, youthful results.

With Rhinoplasty

Neck fat plays a significant role in facial profile balance. Even subtle submental fullness can limit the impact of a rhinoplasty. Because neck liposuction adds little recovery time, many patients choose to combine the procedures for a more complete profile improvement.

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Neck Liposuction with Dr. Teitelbaum

Submental liposuction is one of Dr. Teitelbaum’s most trusted procedures because it is precise, safe, subtle, and consistently effective. When performed thoughtfully, neck liposuction does far more than make someone look thinner, it restores structure, balance, and definition to the lower face and neck.

A primary goal is recreating a sharp cervicomental angle, the natural transition between the chin and neck. Excess fat in this area can blur that angle, making the chin appear short and the neck heavy, even in otherwise fit patients. 

Carefully reducing submental fat restores this definition and improves overall facial harmony.

Equally important is preserving enough fat to support the skin over time. Over-aggressive neck liposuction can expose muscle bands and create a hollow or aged appearance. Dr. Teitelbaum’s conservative, anatomy-driven approach prioritizes long-term results, not just immediate change.

Dr. Teitelbaum has performed neck liposuction since 1995 on hundreds of patients. He is experienced with local anesthesia, IV sedation, and general anesthesia, and selects the most appropriate option based on each patient’s anatomy and goals. Having used syringe, power-assisted, ultrasonic, and traditional liposuction techniques, he understands when each method is best applied to achieve natural, balanced, and lasting neck contouring.

Important Limitations to Understand

Neck liposuction:

  • Does not tighten loose skin
  • Does not remove neck muscle bands
  • Does not make someone look younger—only leaner and more defined
  • Youthful appearance comes from skin tightening procedures; liposuction refines contour. Understanding this distinction is essential to satisfaction.
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The Procedure

Liposuction under the chin, or "submental liposuction," removes the bulge and restores a nice distinction between the face and neck.

This should not be overdone. As we all grow older, fat can be lost in this area and the muscles of the neck can become more visible. Obscuring those muscles in the future by preserving some layer of fat is important to the ideal liposuction of the neck.

Neck Liposuction FAQs

What is the goal of neck liposuction?

The primary goal of neck liposuction is to restore a clear distinction between the face and neck by reducing excess submental fat. This improves jawline definition, enhances the cervicomental angle, and creates a leaner, more balanced profile.

Will neck liposuction make me look younger or just thinner?

Neck liposuction primarily makes patients look leaner and more defined rather than younger. Fat removal improves contour and vitality, while procedures that remove or tighten skin, such as facelifts or neck lifts, are what typically create a more youthful appearance.

Why is removing too much neck fat a problem?

Removing too much fat from the neck can expose underlying muscles and veins, creating a hollow or skeletonized appearance over time. Preserving a thin layer of fat helps maintain skin support and prevents premature aging of the neck.

How do you determine whether my skin will tighten after neck liposuction?

Skin elasticity cannot be measured precisely, but experienced surgeons assess factors such as skin thickness, firmness, age, and overall anatomy. Dr. Teitelbaum uses his extensive experience to estimate whether the skin will retract adequately after fat removal.

Is neck liposuction appropriate if I have visible neck muscle bands?

Neck liposuction does not address muscle banding. In fact, removing fat can make bands more noticeable. Patients with prominent platysmal bands are often better candidates for a neck lift rather than liposuction alone.

Why is neck liposuction sometimes combined with a chin implant?

A small or recessed chin can make the neck appear heavier, while excess neck fat can make the chin look shorter. Combining neck liposuction with a chin implant can improve facial balance and enhance overall profile harmony.

Why is neck liposuction sometimes performed with rhinoplasty?

The nose, chin, and neck work together to define the facial profile. Excess fat under the chin can limit the aesthetic impact of rhinoplasty, and addressing the neck at the same time can significantly enhance overall facial balance.

Is neck liposuction a one-time procedure?

In most patients, neck liposuction is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure. The fat that is removed does not return, although normal aging and weight fluctuations can still affect the neck over time.

Next Step

A consultation allows Dr. Teitelbaum to evaluate fat distribution, skin elasticity, and facial proportions to determine whether neck liposuction, or another approach, will best achieve your goals.

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