Your Questions

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in the lipodissolve or liposmart for underneath my chin and abdomen area. I have excess skin and fat due to having a child. I am still a thin female, but have insecurity in these areas and feel these procedures would benefit me the most in regards to my weight and issues I am having. Please email me with more info and pricing estimates if possible.

A: The best way to get an accurate price quote is to come in for a consultation so I can see what you really need. or send me some pictures. The under the chin area (submental) fat is going to need to be treated by liposuction (Smartlpo) not lipodissolve for a variety of good reasons, mainly a much better result in a single treatment session.  The abdominal issue is less clear given that I have no idea what it looks like. When you use the words ‘excess skin and fat’, that may imply that liposuction may not be a good treatment approach because of the skin excess. No form of liposuction is going to shrink much loose skin, not even Smartlipo. If you have any stretch marks at all on this loose abdominal skin, there is no chance of shrinkage due to complete loss of elastic fibers/elasticity in the skin. Depending upon how much loose skin there is, this may put you more in need of some form of a tummy tuck.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am 42 years old and I had Smartlipo last month. My main reason for having it was to get rid of my neck and chin waddle. I see a difference in my lower face and chin, but I still see the waddle just like before surgery. I have worn my neck garment faithfully but I see next to no improvement in the neck waddle.  When should I be seeing results? The doctor told me it would take up to three months to see the final result as it takes time for the skin to tighten.

A: At your young age, it would seem logical that whatever neck and chin fat you have should respond well to liposuction. But the final results of liposuction performed anywhere depends on how well the skin tightens. Again at your age the skin should still have good elasticity. It is true that you should wait a full three months to see the final neck contour results. While the Smartlipo liposuction method does have some skin tightening capabilities, I emphasize to patients that this should be perceived in millimeters and not centimeters. Thus depending upon how much skin your waddle has, you may or may not see significant reduction over the next several months. If not you may need to consider a secondary tightening procedure such as some form of a necklift.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

Q:  Dr. Eppley, I am a 50 year old woman and am fairly thin being 5’3″ and weigh 117lbs. I have had what I think is fat on the back of my neck for as long as I can remember. It looks like a buffalo hump and it runs in my family. I have exercised all my life and continue to this very day. I have always been concerned about my posture so this buffalo hump is quite disturbing. I HATE IT! I have had liposuction on my stomach and thighs but no doctor seems to want to address my neck problem. I have had xrays and I do have a greater curve in my upper back than most people. Looking at me from the front my posture is impressive, but when I turn to the side it looks thick like there is a flap of thick fibrous fat. I can grab and feel it. I am self-conscious about wearing my hair up. Now blouses do not fit properly and often I have to alter clothes for them to fit. Please, I hope that you can help me.

A:  Buffalo humps on the back of neck are almost always collections of fat. Why you have it there in an otherwise thin person who is very active is unknown. Seeing that your relatives have it indicates that it is genetic in origin and not from one’s lifestyle. An attempt at liposuction would certainly seem to be worthwhile. The fat in the buffalo hump is different than that in other  body areas being more fibrous and not pure fat. This is why an open excision is the most effective approach but the midline scar may not be worth it. I would recommend laser liposuction (Smartlipo) as a better liposuction technique in fibrofatty areas. 

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana