Neck liposuction

Neck liposuction in Turkey: what it is and how it removes a double chin

Neck liposuction removes the pocket of fat that sits between the skin and the platysma muscle under the chin and along the jawline. A surgeon makes one or two incisions of about 3–4 mm, one usually in the crease under the chin and sometimes one behind each ear, loosens the fat with a fine cannula and suctions it out. The result is a sharper angle between chin and neck. It is the most direct form of double chin removal when the fullness is made of fat rather than loose skin or muscle bands.

It is not a weight-loss treatment and it does not tighten a hanging neck. This guide covers how the operation works, what the evidence supports, how it differs from a neck lift, what it costs in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany, what recovery looks like and how to check a clinic. For the wider range of procedures see our plastic surgery treatments in Turkey.

Get my free quote

Is the fullness under my chin fat, skin or muscle?

This is the question that decides everything, and it is worth answering before you ask for a quote. Three different things can create a heavy neck. Pre-platysmal fat sits just under the skin and can be pinched; liposuction treats this well. Sub-platysmal fat lies beneath the muscle and cannot be reached by suction through the skin; it needs open surgery. Loose skin and vertical muscle bands (platysmal bands) show as a hanging or cord-like neck and do not respond to suction alone.

A simple self-check: lift your chin and tighten your neck. If the bulge flattens and you can pinch a thick, soft layer, fat is probably the main issue. If the skin hangs or cords appear, the surgeon may suggest a neck lift instead of, or with, liposuction. A photograph from the front and side is normally enough for a first assessment.

How is neck liposuction done, step by step?

The surgeon marks the area while you sit upright. Most neck liposuction in Turkey is done under local anaesthesia with sedation, or under general anaesthesia if it is combined with other surgery. A dilute numbing and vasoconstrictor solution (tumescent fluid) is infiltrated to reduce bleeding and bruising. A thin cannula, 2–3 mm wide, is passed in crisscross tunnels beneath the chin and along the jaw, and the fat is removed with gentle suction. Some surgeons add a laser or radiofrequency device to warm the tissue; the evidence for that is covered below.

The small incisions are closed with a stitch or tape and a chin strap is fitted. The operation takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and most patients go home or back to the hotel the same day or after one night in the hospital.

Does neck liposuction work, and does the fat come back?

For a well-chosen patient, yes. The fat cells removed do not regenerate, so the contour changes in a lasting way. Professional bodies such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons describe chin and neck liposuction as an established procedure for localised fat in people with good skin tone. What is less well supported is the claim that suction, with or without a laser, will also tighten the skin: some contraction occurs, but it is modest and depends on your age and elasticity.

The fat does not return in the treated cells, but remaining cells can enlarge if you gain a significant amount of weight, so a stable weight protects the result. If you are still losing or gaining weight, it is sensible to wait.

Who is a good candidate, and who should consider a neck lift?

Good candidates are adults with a localised pad of fat under the chin, reasonably firm skin that will redrape over the new contour, a clear jaw bone structure and a stable weight. You are less suited if the main problem is loose skin or banding, if you are over about 50 with significant sagging, if you smoke and cannot stop before surgery, or if you have a clotting disorder or other conditions that affect healing. A receding chin can also make a double chin look worse; a surgeon may discuss chin augmentation or a facelift with neck work if the whole lower face is involved.

Neck liposuction or neck lift: which fits my neck?

Non-surgical fat-reducing injections and cryolipolysis exist, but they remove less fat, need several sessions and are generally for small pads. They are an option to discuss, not a substitute for a surgical assessment when the fullness is moderate or large.

How much does neck liposuction cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany?

The figures below are approximate ranges for neck and chin liposuction, not hospital quotes. Each hospital confirms its own price in a written quote after seeing your photographs.

The price depends on whether the operation is done under local or general anaesthesia, whether a laser or radiofrequency device is added, whether the chin and jowls are treated together, and whether you stay overnight. A package normally includes pre-operative tests, the operation and anaesthetist, the chin strap, medication, a follow-up check and airport transfers; ask for the list in writing and check what happens if a touch-up is needed.

Get my written quote

Is neck liposuction painful, and what does recovery feel like?

You will not feel the operation. Afterwards the neck is sore, tight and swollen, and many people describe a pulled feeling when they turn their head. Bruising can spread down to the collarbone. These effects are usually controlled with simple painkillers and are at their peak in the first three days.

• Days 1–3: wear the chin strap day and night, sleep with your head raised and keep walking gently.
• Week 1: bruising yellows, stitches or tape come off, and many people return to desk work.
• Weeks 2–4: swelling fades and the strap is usually worn at night only. Light exercise resumes when the surgeon agrees.
• Months 3–6: numbness, firmness and the last of the swelling settle and the final contour shows.

Most patients spend three to five nights in Turkey so the surgeon can remove the dressing and check them before they fly. Short flights are normally fine after that check.

Plan my trip and recovery

Neck liposuction before and after: what results are realistic?

Good photographs show a cleaner line from chin to neck, a more defined jaw and a smaller pad under the chin in side view. They do not show a different face: neck liposuction does not change the jaw bone, lift the cheeks or remove skin. In the first weeks swelling hides the result, and a slightly uneven or lumpy feel is common before it softens. Ask the coordinator for photographs of patients of similar age and skin quality, taken from the front, side and at an angle, at three to six months. A gallery of only very young patients tells you little if you are in your fifties.

What can go wrong with neck liposuction?

Common effects are bruising, swelling, numbness and temporary firmness. Less common problems include contour irregularities or visible banding after fat removal, fluid collection (seroma), haematoma, infection, asymmetry, pigment change and, rarely, injury to the marginal mandibular nerve that moves the corner of the mouth. Overly aggressive removal can leave a hollowed or tethered look that is hard to correct. Professional societies such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons advise using a qualified surgeon in a regulated facility. Ask what the clinic does if you need a revision and who will review you after you leave Turkey.

How to choose a surgeon and hospital, and what to ask

Check that the surgeon is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery registered in Turkey, that the operation takes place in a licensed hospital, and that you receive a written plan and price before paying a deposit. Red flags include a quote without any assessment of your photographs, a promise to tighten skin without surgery, pressure to book fast and no named surgeon. Read how our process works and use the free quote page to have a hospital review your photos.

• Is my problem fat, skin or muscle bands, and do I need a neck lift as well?
• Which anaesthesia and which device (if any) will you use?
• How many nights should I stay, and what follow-up is included?
• What is the policy if I need a revision?
• Can I see photographs of patients of my age and skin type?

Get my free quote

Hospitals with Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery in Turkey

Academic Hospital

Üsküdar, Istanbul

MoHHealth Tourism Licence+2

Get Free Quote

Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital

Pendik, Istanbul

JCIMoH+2

Get Free Quote

View all

Frequently asked questions