When it comes to aging skin, the neck is one of the first places that give away age. In some people, fat is more likely to collect under the chin. This extra fat and sagging skin can affect the overall profile of the face - in which case, a double chin liposuction may be resorted to.
If you have a double chin and are looking for ways to get rid of it, your plastic surgeon may recommend chin liposuction, neck lift surgery, or a combination of the two.
What is double chin liposuction?
The double chin correction is a surgical intervention in which the fat accumulated in the chin area is removed. The surgery helps to tighten the muscles in this area and thus improves the contour of the chin.
A plastic surgeon can correct a double chin using any of the following procedures:
- Chin liposuction - This procedure removes excess fat under the chin.
- Submentoplasty - This surgery combines liposuction of the chin with smaller incisions under the chin to tighten the muscles.
- Neck Lift - This surgery, called a lower rhytidectomy, involves removing excess skin or tightening the muscles of the neck skin to give the face a more balanced and fresh appearance.
All of the following procedures can remove a double chin. However, you may not be a good candidate for liposuction or submentoplasty if your skin is not very elastic and has a saggy or droopy appearance. In this case, the doctor usually recommends a neck lift.
Why is a double chin correction done?
Chin liposuction is performed to contour the jawline and remove excess fat. In this way, a sculpted and more pronounced profile is achieved.
Preparation for the operation
When preparing for double chin liposuction, it is important to have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure and the recovery period. It's important to ask your doctor any questions you're concerned about and together determine the goal you're aiming for.
How is liposuction of a double chin performed?
- Liposuction of the chin is done by inserting a small tube called a cannula attached to a vacuum into the chin. Through gentle suction, small and strategic amounts of fat are removed from all areas. The result is a smoother and more even facial profile.
Your surgeon will examine your chin and neck and make a mark with a pen to mark the areas where they will place the cannula. The skin is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution in order to reduce the risk of infection. The surgeon will then administer sedation medication, if desired, or inject a local anesthetic into the skin. Several small incisions will be made in the skin, under the chin and possibly behind the ears, large enough to insert the liposuction cannula. The liposuction cannula will then be inserted and back and forth movements or blowing will be used to remove excess fat. Your surgeon will pay close attention to how much fat is removed from each area to ensure a smooth and even appearance. Each incision will be closed with one or two sutures. Finally, a special chin bandage is placed to keep the skin taut while it heals.
The results of a double chin correction procedure are essentially permanent.
Humans are born with a certain number of fat cells, and once these fat cells are removed from that area, they will most likely not accumulate there again. However, not every cell is removed, so excessive weight fluctuations after the procedure can affect the results.
- Submentoplasty and neck lift surgery involve making incisions in the skin.
Your doctor will mark your chin and neck with lines and arrows indicating the areas of approach. These procedures are performed under general anesthesia.
The area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Depending on the anaesthetic approach, your doctor may inject a local anaesthetic into the skin. The doctor will then make incisions, usually at the hairline and around and behind the ear. Excess fat and skin is removed from the neck and the platysma or neck muscles are tightened to make the skin appear more toned.
Finally, the skin incisions are closed with glue or stitches (sutures). These incisions usually heal very quickly and are not visible.
With a submentoplasty, there are fewer incisions and the doctor does not remove excess skin as with a neck lift. Instead, the doctor tightens the neck muscles to give a more sculpted appearance.
Recovery period after double chin correction procedure
After the procedure, you can expect some swelling and discomfort in the area of the adjustment. You may feel the skin on your neck and chin very tight.
The doctor may recommend applying antibiotic ointment to the incisions. It is usually recommended to avoid the sun or not to wet the face and chin for several days.
Recovery time depends on the surgical approach your doctor has used. For chin liposuction, this period is usually a few days to a week before you return to work. For a neck lift, you may return to work in about two weeks.
Are there risks or side effects?
Mentoplasty is very often recommended to patients who wish to correct their nose - rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty + chin augmentation
Chin implants can dramatically improve rhinoplasty results. The goal is to achieve balance on all facial features.
Neck liposuction + chin implants
Patients with excess fat under the chin often choose to have chin liposuction at the same time as the implant surgery. While strengthening the chin will help improve the expression of the jawline, removing excess fat from under the chin can further enhance the appearance of the lower face and neck.
Risks and complications of surgery
All surgical operations are associated with certain risks. The doctor should discuss these with you before the procedure to make sure you have all the information before proceeding with surgery.
Possible risks and complications of double chin surgery
- Bleeding
- complications of anaesthesia, such as breathing problems
- reduced skin sensitivity
- discomfort
- infection
- Scars
- Swelling
You may also not achieve the results you were hoping for after surgery. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor about your expected results after surgery to make sure they are realistic and achievable.
