Buffalo hump is the name given to an accumulation of fat at the top of the back. This accumulation of fat is located in the midline, in the transition between the neck and back. This condition most often occurs spontaneously, but can also be an expression of disease.
This is a less common procedure, but is done regularly, with good results and satisfied patients. Many people find the condition unsightly, and there are safe and effective treatments available.
The treatment consists of liposuction in the relevant area and is effective and safe when performed correctly. The method we use for Klinikk A is liposuction.
In our experience, patients are very satisfied with the results of buffalo hump liposuction.
Anesthesia/ Sedation
3-7 days
Total 3-4 hours
After 7-14 days and 3-6 months
All our plastic surgery prices Prices are incl. VAT.
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Fat accumulation at the junction of the neck and back (buffalo hump) is safely and effectively treated with liposuction, also known as liposculpture. The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia, but it is also possible to use sedation. During the operation, the area to be liposuctioned is filled with anesthetic fluid that prepares the tissue for liposuction. The liposuction itself is performed with thin cannulas that remove the fat cells using a vacuum. There are usually 1 to 3 stitches that need to be removed.
There are usually 1 to 3 small scars after surgery. These are closed with 1 to 2 stitches that are removed after 1 to 2 weeks. The scars are placed so that they are as inconspicuous as possible near the area to be operated on. The maximum length of the scars is 10 mm.
There are several reasons why patients want to remove a buffalo hump. For many people, a build-up of fat on the neck at the junction between the neck and back is primarily a cosmetic nuisance. For some, however, the fat accumulation can become so large that it causes discomfort when lying on your back, sitting in a chair or similar.
Posture is a factor, but when there is fat accumulation in this area, changing posture alone rarely achieves the goal. Physical therapy and yoga can be tried to influence posture. Before any surgery, it may be appropriate to examine the area with MRI, CT or ultrasound to rule out other diseases.
Medical causes of buffalo hump can be disease with overproduction of adrenal cortex hormone (e.g. Cushing's syndrome), medication containing cortisone (corticosteroids), vertebral column disease (cervical kyphosis) or other.
In order to clarify whether buffalo hump surgery may be relevant, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. If you live far from Oslo, we can do this via Teams.
Before any surgery, you will be scheduled for a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. Book an appointment with our plastic surgeons for a non-binding consultation.
Many people wonder what a consultation involves. During the consultation, the plastic surgeon will listen to the individual's wishes and needs. One of the goals of the consultation is to answer all the questions the individual may have. To achieve this, we set aside plenty of time. After the consultation, you should have a good overview of which treatment options may be relevant and what advantages or disadvantages the various options offer. Together, you will then agree on which treatment may be appropriate.
When you arrive at the clinic, one of our employees will hand you a form to fill in in the waiting area. The consultation itself begins in the doctor's office, where we start by going through what the individual wants to be assessed for. The dialog between the patient and the plastic surgeon is crucial for determining the best treatment. Information such as previous illnesses, allergies, regular medication and the like is then reviewed while the surgeon writes the patient's medical records.
In each office, we have a sheltered changing area where the patient undresses as necessary. Photos are normally documented as a standard part of the medical record information. The system we use for photo documentation is approved and in line with GDPR.
The surgeon then performs the necessary examinations of the area in question and makes recommendations regarding treatment options. During the consultation, the surgeon tries to form as realistic a picture as possible of what the individual can expect after surgery. Our goal at Klinikk A is for each patient to be satisfied with their choices, and for the decision-making basis to be as good as possible when the choice is made. Well-informed patients make good choices.
The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia. Patients arrive at Klinikk A on the day of surgery fasting, having washed with Hibiscrub and taken prescribed medication. You should not eat or drink anything in the last 6 hours before surgery, except for prescribed medication. In practice, this usually means that you should not eat or drink before surgery on the day of surgery.
The anesthesia staff have a brief chat to make sure everything is ready for the anesthesia.
The patient is then taken to the plastic surgeon to clarify any questions, undress for the surgeon's approval and put on the clinic's dressing gown and slippers. Personal clothing and valuables are placed in a box that follows the patient throughout their stay at the clinic.
After this, you will be taken to the operating room where you will be met by the surgical nurse and the anesthesia staff. The patient is now prepared for the operation. This means that the surgical field is washed and covered with sterile material, you lie down in the correct position on the operating table and intravenous access for the anesthetics is secured with a small prick in the arm. You fall asleep quickly when anesthesia begins, and most people describe a good and comfortable sleep when they wake up. The operation itself takes a short hour, and you don't notice anything about the operation itself.
In our experience, most patients have a smooth recovery after buffalo hump surgery. Many people wonder how painful it is after such an operation. Most describe some discomfort, but direct pain is rarely reported. However, how the individual experiences the first time after surgery varies from person to person.
Once the operation is complete, patients are transferred to our post-operative ward, where our staff look after them. As you wake up, you will be given something to drink and something light to eat. Many patients find that they feel a little tired and unrested in the first few hours. Some will feel a little restless and fidgety for the first 24 - 48 hours. This is due to the medication given. During the first few days, most people experience some degree of discomfort in the operated area. This will normally subside during the first 7 to 10 days after surgery.
For the first two to three days, strive for very quiet activity. Then you can gradually resume simple, everyday activity, but still take care and listen to your body. After 7 to 10 days, activity can be gradually increased. Exercise can be resumed 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, but you should listen to your body.
The wound is dressed with Micropore tape and an absorbent bandage. Above this, elastic tape is applied to achieve a certain degree of compression. This tape stays on until it falls off on its own, or until the stitches are removed on Klinikk A. We do not use compression garments for this operation. The elastic tape does not tolerate getting wet. Avoid getting water on the bandage when showering.
The first check-up is 7 to 14 days after surgery on Klinikk A. The final result will not be seen until some time has passed, which is why we only schedule the next check-up after 6-12 months. During the first period after surgery, the tissue in the operated area is swollen due to the surgery. This is normal and natural, as an operation has been performed. The swelling tends to increase in the first few days and starts to decrease 3 to 10 days after surgery.
After three weeks, much of the swelling has gone down. In the phase that follows, the body needs a long time to adapt to the new situation. The tissue in the operated area is slowly but surely transformed into permanent, strong tissue. This process is called the maturation phase and theoretically lasts for up to two years, but this is normally not very noticeable in everyday life.
Many people wonder when they can resume exercise after surgery. For the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, you should avoid activities that increase your heart rate and require large movements. After this, you can gradually increase your activity, but you should allow 3-4 weeks before you can start exercising normally.
Those with office jobs can normally expect to return to work the day after surgery.
All surgeries have a risk of complications. The absolute risk of complications after buffalo hump surgery is low.
Any bleeding usually occurs before you leave the clinic, but can also occur at home, usually within the first two days after the procedure. This type of bleeding is caused by the operation and is most often the result of a small vein opening up after the operation. Bleeding is usually marked by rapid bursting and swelling in the area in question. The bleeding itself is usually on the inside of the skin and is not dangerous, but may require a reoperation. The surgeon will then remove the blood and stop the bleeding.
Our surgeons are available 24 hours a day, all year round in connection with the treatments that have been performed. If such bleeding is treated quickly and correctly, this complication will have no impact on the end result. To prevent this type of bleeding after surgery, it is very important that you follow the advice you are given in connection with the operation, read the information letter you have received carefully and stay calm in the initial period after the procedure.
Increasing redness, swelling, tenderness, secretion of pus from the surgical wound or general malaise may be signs of infection. In this case, the surgical wound must be inspected by the surgeon. Sometimes a change of wound is all that is needed, and it is often treated with antibiotics.
Some people experience an altered sensation in the skin above the scar. The sensation can be both reduced and intensified, almost slightly hypersensitive to touch. In the vast majority of cases, the sensation normalizes over time.
You will find neutral and good information about liposuction on Norwegian Health Informatics (nhi.no)
Dr. Frode Amland is a pioneer in aesthetic surgery in Norway, and a highly skilled surgeon in liposculpture / liposuction and facelift. He holds a PhD in plastic surgery and has also supervised other PhD candidates in the field of liposuction.
Senior consultant Dr. Ståle Buhagen is a specialist in plastic surgery and general surgery.
He has worked with surgery since 2004, both publicly and privately.
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