You may be a good candidate for double chin liposuction if you are bothered by excess fat or puffiness along your chin and neck area. Chin lipo, also known as submental liposuction, is not the ideal solution if you have loose skin on your neck as liposuction can only remove excess fat.
Of course, there are additional requirements for potential chin liposuction candidates as well. Below, we’ll go over these and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this surgery. But first, let’s explore what facial liposuction actually entails and how chin lipo differs from other neck lift procedures.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures available. It is decades old and often performed alone or as an add-on procedure for other surgeries like abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery). It is an integral part of all fat transfer procedures.
The goal of liposuction is to remove excess fat. At the same time, it is not a weight loss procedure.
Your surgeon will start by using a numbing medication on the treatment area (depending on the specifics on the surgery, lipo can be performed with either general or local anesthesia). Next, small incisions will be made strategically around the target fat. A thin metal tube will be inserted, and this will be used to suction out the excess fat. Finally, your surgeon will close the incisions.
What Is Chin Liposuction?
Chin liposuction is simply liposuction that is performed along the chin, jaw, and neck area. Specialized cannulas are used for this surgery, and because the surgery focuses on the facial area instead of large body areas, your surgeon may take special precautions. Otherwise, the overall process for chin liposuction follows largely the same process as for other types of liposuction.
Chin Liposuction vs. Neck Lift Surgery
As stated in the introduction, chin and neck liposuction aims to get rid of excess fat. If you have pinchable bulkiness or puffiness below your chin and jawline, this unwanted fat can likely be removed with chin lipo.
On the other hand, if you have excess neck skin below your chin and jawline, chin liposuction will not do much to improve your facial profile. Instead, you’ll likely need a neck lift to pull the neck skin gently back and remove any excess skin that is too loose to retract naturally. In addition to skin tightening, a neck lift may also tighten the neck muscles.
If you have both excess fat cells and excess skin beneath the chin, you may need a combination of chin liposuction and a neck lift for your double chin surgery. In some patients, the excess skin may ultimately retract once the excess fat is gone. But this depends on your age, skin type, and natural skin elasticity. Your surgeon will assess this and recommend the best possible path to success.
As a side note, some patients who are unhappy with their chins may actually need a chin implant augmentation to give them a more prominent and defined chin and jawline. If you are not sure which cosmetic surgery option (chin lipo, neck lift surgery, or a chin augmentation) you might need, make a consultation appointment with a qualified plastic surgeon. They will be able to assess your anatomy and goals and give you their recommendations for the best solution.
How to Know if You’re a Good Candidate for Chin Liposuction
Fat removal via chin liposuction could be the surgery for you if you:
- Have excess submental fat (extra fat beneath the chin and in the neck area)
- Have good skin elasticity (little to no loose skin)
- Are in good overall physical health
- Do not have any serious ongoing medical conditions
- Are not currently undergoing any medical treatments that may conflict with surgery
- Do not smoke
To know for sure if you are a good candidate for chin liposuction, please schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Mason.
FAQ: Double Chin Removal Surgery
Is chin liposuction painful?
The procedure itself will not be painful as typically local anesthetic is used (sometimes, general anesthesia may be used). But because the liposuction cannula will be agitating your chin and neck area blood vessels in order to remove the fatty tissue, you may experience some soreness as well as moderate swelling and chin liposuction bruising during your recovery.
How much is chin lipo?
Every patient’s chin lipo cost will vary depending on where you undergo surgery (which surgeon you pick and the geographic location where you get surgery), how much liposuction you require, what type of anesthesia you opt for, and other factors. To get an accurate idea of your chin liposuction cost, schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Will I have a scar after submental liposuction surgery?
Submental liposuction surgery requires incisions to be made — usually one directly beneath the chin and sometimes one behind each ear. Any type of incision will result in scars, but because each required incision will be so small for this surgical procedure, the resulting chin lipo scar should hardly be noticeable once your chin liposuction recovery time is over.
How long does chin lipo last?
Your chin liposuction results should last for many years as long as you do not gain an excessive amount of weight (remain at a stable weight) and retain good skin elasticity.
Book Your Double Chin Lipo Consultation
Removing excess fat along the neck and chin area can give you a more defined facial profile and a more youthful appearance overall. To learn more about our chin liposuction procedures and discuss your options, please call to schedule a liposuction consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rachel Mason.
At your consultation, you can learn more about your candidacy for surgery, discuss chin lipo cost and financing options, and review chin liposuction before and after photos with Dr. Mason. Contact us today to book your appointment.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction/candidates