What Is The Best Way To Reduce A Buffalo Hump?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hi, I have what is referred to as a “buffalo” hump, aside from the obvious cosmetic worries it has also begun to the limit the range of motion of neck, contribute to serve neck/upper back pain, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. I have tried the more conventional methods including exercises to strengthen my back and chests muscles to no avail. I am a fairly thin individual to begin with so diet and exercise has done little to help. I was curious what your thoughts were, if this is achievable, and the cost of such a procedure.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your picture. Small buffalo humps can appear even in thin people as this is a residual area of brown fat in babies. Brown fat is resistant to conventional methods of fat reduction as it is very different metabolically from all other fat. It can only be removed by small cannula liposuction.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana