Aftercare Made Simple: What Recovery Looks Like After Formsculpt® Liposuction at BodyLuxe
October 22, 2025
If you’ve noticed a buffalo hump—the small mound of fat at the base of the neck where the shoulders meet—you’re not alone. Also called a dorsocervical fat pad, this stubborn pocket can make clothing fit awkwardly, accent posture, and chip away at confidence. The good news: for the right candidate, a single, precise liposuction session is typically the most direct and lasting way to smooth the area. Below, we explain what a buffalo hump is, why it forms, what non‑surgical options can (and can’t) do, and how Dr. Daniel J. Farrugia at BodyLuxe in Chicago treats it efficiently—often as a one‑and‑done FormSculpt® procedure.
Medically, a buffalo hump refers to hypertrophy of the dorsocervical fat pad—a localized buildup of adipose tissue at the upper back/neck junction. It’s often associated with hormonal or medication factors, including excess cortisol (as in Cushing syndrome), long‑term systemic glucocorticoids, HIV‑related lipodystrophy, and general weight gain. A healthcare evaluation helps determine cause and rule out other conditions.
A buffalo hump is fat. A dowager’s hump is a spinal curvature (kyphosis) and postural issue that creates a similar silhouette but requires different management (strengthening, posture work, and sometimes medical treatment). You can have one without the other—and occasionally both—so getting the diagnosis right matters before choosing treatment.
Sometimes the best first step is addressing the underlying cause:
Hormonal drivers (e.g., Cushing syndrome) require medical care; treating cortisol excess can reduce dorsocervical fat over time.
Medication‑related cases (for example, chronic systemic steroids) may improve if your prescriber can safely modify the regimen.
Global weight loss may help if generalized adiposity is the driver, though this specific pad is notoriously resistant.
If the visible “hump” is actually kyphosis/posture, targeted physical therapy—not fat removal—is the right path.
These steps are important, but when the issue is truly localized fat, most patients who want a definitive contour change choose a procedural option.
You’ll see a range of non‑surgical fat‑reduction technologies marketed for small bulges—cryolipolysis (fat freezing), radiofrequency, HIFU, laser lipolysis, and injectable deoxycholic acid. Here’s the balanced take:
Multiple sessions are the norm. In general, non‑invasive body contouring reduces fat incrementally and usually needs several treatments per area, with results maturing over weeks to months.
Off‑label limitations. Deoxycholic acid (KYBELLA®) is FDA‑approved only for submental fat under the chin—not for the dorsocervical region—so using it for a buffalo hump is off‑label and may require many sessions.
Evidence in this exact spot is thin. While cryolipolysis and other devices can shrink small fat pockets, high‑quality studies specifically targeting the dorsocervical fat pad are limited, and device applicator fit can be challenging in this curved, fibrofatty area. Many practices therefore consider these options adjunctive rather than primary for a true buffalo hump.
Bottom line: If your priority is a single appointment with a clear, immediate debulking, non‑surgical approaches are rarely “one and done.” They can help in select, very small cases—but most patients seeking a decisive change favor liposuction
With liposuction, your surgeon physically removes fat cells through tiny incisions using a cannula. Once removed, those fat cells don’t grow back; maintaining weight helps preserve results long‑term.
The dorsocervical pad often has dense, fibrofatty tissue. Contemporary techniquessuch as FormSculpt® tumescent liposuction—let surgeons address that density efficiently in a single session. Professional societies identify liposuction as the typical surgical approach for buffalo hump removal.
Unlike energy devices that rely on delayed fat apoptosis and lymphatic clearance, liposuction yields an immediate silhouette change (with final refinement as swelling subsides). For the dorsocervical fat pad, published series and case reports—including in complex groups such as patients with HIV‑related lipodystrophy—show meaningful contour improvement with liposuction or limited lipectomy.
At BodyLuxe—our boutique practice on the 36th floor of the iconic Hancock Tower (875 N Michigan Ave)—Dr. Daniel J. Farrugia, MD PhD FACS offers awake, minimally invasive liposuction designed for precision and efficiency. We specialize in tumescent (“awake”) liposuction using modern, power‑assisted technology, which allows most patients to be comfortable with local anesthesia and avoid general anesthesia for small, targeted areas like the dorsocervical pad.
Focused assessment. We confirm the “hump” is fat, not spinal curvature, and coordinate care if a medical driver (e.g., cortisol excess) needs attention first.
Awake, tumescent technique. After numbing the area with dilute local anesthetic, Dr. Farrugia uses small, well‑placed entry points and micro‑cannulas to debulk the fat pad with careful sculpting across the neck‑shoulder transition. Tumescent methods are widely used and support low blood loss and comfort.
Adjunct skin support (when needed). In select cases with mild laxity, we may pair liposuction with energy‑based skin tightening to refine the drape; not everyone needs this. (Device selection is personalized during consultation.)
One session for most patients. Because liposuction directly removes fat, one appointment typically achieves the goal for an isolated buffalo hump; touch‑ups are uncommon when weight and hormones are stable.
Downtime: Expect a few days of social downtime for a small area like the dorsocervical pad; most patients resume light activity quickly per individualized guidance.
Compression & swelling: A light garment may be recommended for comfort and swelling control for a short period.
Results timeline: You’ll see an immediate profile change; definition continues to improve as swelling settles over several weeks.
You may be an excellent candidate if you:
Have a palpable fat pad at the base of the neck confirmed on exam.
Are at a stable weight and have any medical drivers (e.g., steroids, cortisol excess) appropriately managed.
Understand that while removed fat is gone, significant weight gain can enlarge remaining fat cells and blunt the result.
If an examination reveals postural kyphosis rather than fat, we’ll guide you toward physical therapy or spine care instead of a fat‑removal procedure.
| Goal/Factor | Nonsurgical options (freezing, RF, injectables) | Liposuction (BodyLuxe) |
|---|
| Sessions | Usually multiple sessions; gradual change over weeks–months. | Typically one session for an isolated buffalo hump. |
| FDA indication | KYBELLA® is approved only under the chin; use in the dorsocervical area is off‑label. | Standard surgical treatment for fat pads; widely used for this area. |
| Precision | Device/applicator fit can limit precision on the neck‑shoulder curve. | Direct, sculpted fat removal via micro‑cannulas. |
| Result timing | Gradual; depends on lymphatic clearance. | Immediate debulking; refinement as swelling subsides. |
| Typical candidates | Very small, soft fat pockets; patients prioritizing no incisions over speed. | Patients prioritizing a decisive, single‑visit change. |
Liposuction reduces the number of fat cells in that area. Those specific cells do not return, but maintaining your weight helps keep the result stable.
If a medical driver (like cortisol excess) remains uncontrolled, the area can thicken again—or new fat can accumulate elsewhere with significant weight gain. That’s why we address underlying causes and counsel on maintenance.
Insurers generally view buffalo hump liposuction as cosmetic unless clear medical necessity is documented; coverage varies by plan. We’re transparent about pricing and financing during your consultation.
Tumescent techniques are widely used and, for small localized areas, allow liposuction under local anesthesia for appropriate candidates. Your anesthesia plan is personalized after a medical review.
Specialized, boutique setting in the Hancock Tower on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile—private, comfortable, and equipped for awake, precision body contouring. We are not a chain liposuction clinic.
Deep experience in awake liposuction for focused areas like the neck and upper back, using modern, power‑assisted technology for efficient fat removal with tiny entry points.
Doctor‑led, no‑pressure care. You’ll meet directly with Dr. Farrugia to map your goals and decide whether liposuction—or another path—is right for you. Unlike corporate chains, your consultation will be directly with Dr Farrugia, your surgeon.
When the problem is true dorsocervical fat, liposuction is usually the most definitive, single‑session way to flatten a buffalo hump and restore a smoother neck–shoulder contour—especially compared with non‑surgical options that often require multiple visits and are off‑label for this exact area. If you’re in Chicago, BodyLuxe by Dr. Farrugia offers an efficient, personalized approach using awake tumescent techniques tailored to this compact, fibrofatty zone.
Schedule a complimentary private consultation with BodyLuxe by Dr. Daniel J. Farrugia at 875 N Michigan Ave, 36th Floor, Chicago to confirm the diagnosis, review candidacy, and design a one‑and‑done plan for your buffalo hump.
Medical note: The information here is educational and not a substitute for personal medical advice. We’ll always coordinate with your medical team if an endocrine or medication‑related cause needs attention first.
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👉 Request your consultation: https://bodyluxe.com
📞 Call / Text: (312) 999-5505
📍 Location: BodyLuxe, John Hancock Center, Chicago, IL
Why BodyLuxe:
Awake procedures under local anesthesia (no general anesthesia)
Minimally invasive approach designed for precision and comfort
Natural‑looking contouring and fat transfer options
Downtown convenience on the Magnificent Mile
Procedures we offer:
Liposuction: abdomen, waist, flanks, thighs, arms, chin
Fat Transfer: breasts, buttocks (BBL), hands
Skin Tightening with Renuvion (J-Plasma)
What to expect:
Private 1:1 consultation with the surgeon to confirm candidacy and goals
Personalized treatment plan reviewed by our clinical team
Clear aftercare guidance and support
Go to https://bodyluxe.com to request your complimentary consultation.
Disclaimers:
This video is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consultation is required to determine candidacy. All procedures carry risks; we’ll review these with you in detail. Individual results vary. Footage may feature a model; not a patient.
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This beauty came in for our Awake Lipo procedure — and just LOOK at these results 😍
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💉 6 Months Later. No Hip Dips. No General Anesthesia. 💥
This beauty came to us with one main goal: fill in those hip dips. 🍑
And that’s exactly what we did—while she was awake.
🔹 Fat removed from:
– Upper & lower abs
– Waist & flanks
– Lower back
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🏛️ What We Do at BodyLuxe
We’re not here for filters or fluff—we’re here for real results.
At BodyLuxe, we specialize in:
✅ Awake liposculpting
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Everything is done awake, comfortably, and tailored to your body. You don’t need to go under to get snatched.
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📍John Hancock Tower 875 N Michigan Ave Chicago,IL
☎️ (312) 999-5505
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☎️ (312) 999-5505
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Bye Bye Belly Bulge ✨ Hello Sculpted Waistline
No scalpels. No stitches. No scars. No needles. Just real, visible results. 👏🏼
This beautiful client had fat removal and skin tightening done across her entire abdomen—we’re talking:
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⏱️ Recovery? Just 4–5 days.
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⤴️ Click the Link in Bio to send us a consultation request
📍John Hancock Tower 875 N Michigan Ave Chicago,IL
☎️ (312) 999-5505
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A little lift, a whole new look! 🌟🗣️
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⤴️ Click the Link in Bio to send us a consultation request
📍John Hancock Tower 875 N Michigan Ave Chicago,IL
☎️ (312) 999-5505
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