Liposuction has proven to be an effective treatment for correcting excess fat build-up in the areas of the neck and face in individuals who take anti-HIV drugs. Lipodystrophy syndrome often occurs in patients who take antiviral drugs for HIV although this condition is sometimes seen in individuals who use steroids continuously such as patients with asthma. When Lipodystrophy occurs, it can produce a Buffalo Hump deformity. This can occur in both women and men where an accumulation of fat builds up on the upper back and back of the neck. The fat can also extent around the ears and neck to the jaw line. This can result in pain and stiffness in the neck as well as difficulty fitting into clothing. 

It is unsure as to why this condition occurs although doctors do know that it causes a thickening of the fat layer between the bone or muscle and the skin. The fats that build up in these areas are unlike normal fat as it is very fibrous containing scar tissue and fat combined. This can make it difficult to remove when compared to fat on other areas of the body. 

Most plastic surgeons prefer to use neck liposuction to remove buffalo humps and other fat accumulations that around the face and neck. This keeps scarring down to a minimum, which is very important in these areas of the body. With this procedure, long incisions on the upper back and neck are avoided and there is a lower risk of fluid collecting post operatively. This procedure also does not require the use of drains. 

Because of the extremely tough and gritty composition of this fat, traditional method requires much more time and can sometimes be unsuccessful. Because of this, plastic surgeons use a different technique of procedure. Ultrasonic liposuction is the preferred method which works better than using a cannula to remove this type of fat. This technique can provide a remarkable improvement, although it does not remove all of the excess fat.

Individuals who are HIV positive can have this procedure if they are in generally good physical health with no signs of the disease. Liposuction cost varies according to the extent of liposuction that will be performed, the plastic surgeon fees, the hospital fees and the anesthesiologists fees. Typical liposuction cost ranges from about $2,500.00 to $6,000.00.