A buffalo hump refers to the extra fat that accumulates behind the neck and shoulders. This hump is merely a buildup of excess fat along the upper neck and fat leading to the appearance of a protuberant hump.
This fat protrusion may occur due to obesity or an underlying health condition, and seriously compromise a person’s self-confidence.
Generally, the condition is not thought to be serious and usually does not impact an individual’s overall health. But it is still an unappealing and frustrating aesthetic concern that can completely change a person’s demeanor and cause life-long self-esteem problems.
Other than the embarrassing disfigurement, a buffalo hump can compromise a person’s range of movement and restrict neck motion.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides liposuction for the back of the neck to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations.
Buffalo Hump Removal Via Liposuction
Cosmetic surgery may be a suitable option for anyone who has tried diet and exercise with ineffective outcomes. In general, a cosmetic surgeon will recommend liposuction to fully eliminate these stubborn fatty pockets and smooth out the protrusion in the back of the neck.
While the prospect of undergoing liposuction may sound scary, an experienced cosmetic surgeon will be able to perform this surgical fat elimination procedure on an outpatient basis with minimal pain.
Various forms of liposuction are used to remove fatty pockets from the upper neck.
While the different techniques have their own sets of benefits and limitations, each one is similar in that it makes use of specialized instruments to suction out fat from underneath the surface of the skin to reduce the fullness in the area.
Surgeons commonly use a liposuction cannula (a hollow, narrow tube) to dislodge and suction out excess fat. Patients should openly discuss their health history and goals before deciding on a specific liposuction procedure.
Tumescent Liposuction
There are various surgical techniques used to correct the buffalo hump. The most commonly used technique is called tumescent liposuction.
This procedure is especially suitable as it can be undertaken using local anesthesia and is widely thought to be one of the safer liposuction methods as it helps minimize the loss of blood as well as other risks usually associated with general anesthesia.
In terms of costs and procedure, it is similar to other liposuction techniques. However, it is generally thought to be safer.
In tumescent liposuction cosmetic surgery, the surgeon will inject substantial amounts of epinephrine, a medication that constricts capillaries, into the fat cells prior to removing excess fat.
This makes the procedure safer by minimizing blood loss. Those who receive this form of buffalo hump surgery will experience a more manageable recovery period with fewer side effects. The epinephrine injections help minimize the bruising, pain, and inflammation due to their ability to reduce the amount of blood loss during the procedure.
Ideal Candidates
A key limitation of liposuction is that it is not suitable for individuals who are obese. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction candidates should be in good health and within 30 percent of their optimal body weight.
Therefore, liposuction is an ideal option for those who are at a healthy weight and have developed the hump because of another underlying condition or from taking prescription drugs.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for liposuction of the back of the neck.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit:
Serving patients in and around Atlanta, Buckhead, Roswell, Marietta, Georgia and surrounding areas.