Double chins may be the result of aging, having a higher BMI, or genetics. Depending on the root cause, patients may be able to treat submental fat (fat beneath the chin) with exercise and weight loss, certain injectables, or — our method of choice — liposuction.
Chin liposuction is highly effective at reducing fat beneath the chin and creating that graceful, snatched look patients are after. However, there is no such thing as a perfect surgery without drawbacks. As with everything in life, there are pros and cons.
Below, we’ll go over these in relation to chin liposuction. Chin lipo is one of our very favorite procedures because of the amazingly natural and stunning results it can produce. Still, if this is a procedure you are considering for yourself, it’s important to know all sides before proceeding.
Pros and Cons of Chin Liposuction
Below, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of chin liposuctions. If you have any questions about this procedure or its benefits and drawbacks, please feel free to contact us and book a consultation appointment with Dr. Lahar.
Double Chin Liposuction Benefits
Little else can be done for double chins.
If you have excess fat beneath your chain, even diet and exercise may not help to improve your chin’s appearance. In fact, in many cases, diet and exercise will do nothing. This is generally what happens when the root cause of your double chin is genetics.
The chin is one of your most noticeable features.
Everyone has a feature on their face or body that they would like to improve, but when the area you would like to improve is right on your face and visible to everyone, improving it can make an even more significant difference.
The procedure is minimally invasive.
Especially when compared to more invasive plastic surgeries such as tummy tucks or even full-body liposuction, chin liposuction is a quite small surgery. It is minimally invasive because it only requires a few small incisions and a relatively short recovery period.
Chin lipo can help with lax skin as you age.
Where there is excess fat on the body, the skin stretches to accommodate that fat. Therefore, if you were to leave the excess fat on your chin, as you age, the skin would be stretched beyond its normal limit, and this would ultimately cause sagging and loose skin. If you can help that skin retract back by eliminating excess fat, you can ideally reduce lax skin as you get older.
Chin liposuction is permanent.
Once fat is removed from the chin and neck area via liposuction, the results are permanent. The fat will not grow back unless you experience a significant weight increase.
Double Chin Liposuction Drawbacks
Scarring is inevitable.
Any surgery requiring incisions will create scars. The good news is that scars resulting from chin lipo are extremely small (arou
nd 3 to 4 mm in length). They’re also well-hidden beneath the chin and behind the ears.
Chin lipo can’t help loose skin.
Long-term, liposuction on the chin can reduce the amount of laxity in your skin by reducing the amount that skin has to stretch to accommodate fat. But short-term (if you already have loose neck skin), chin lipo won’t be able to help.
You’ll need to schedule some downtime after the procedure.
Again, all surgeries (even minimally invasive ones) require some downtime. This means you’ll need to schedule some time off from work or school — usually around one to two weeks at most.
What to Expect: Your Chin Liposuction Experience Step by Step
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Typically, local anesthesia is all the patient needs for this procedure. It is an outpatient procedure. That means you can go home when it’s done.
Step 2 – Incisions
Once you’ve received anesthesia, incisions will be made. Incisions only need to be a few millimeters long and are situated in discreet areas along your chin and neckline.
Step 3 – Liposuction with a cannula
The liposuction portion of the procedure actually removes the fat from the body. Your surgeon will use a tool called a cannula, which is basically a thin tube made of metal. The cannula will be inserted into the incisions and will agitate the fat beneath the chin. It will then suction out the excess fat.
Step 4 – Incisions closed
Lastly, your plastic surgeon will carefully close your incisions to enable proper healing. You will be placed in a head bandage and taken to a recovery room for monitoring before being released to return home.
FAQ: Double Chin Surgery
Can liposuction help a double chin?
Yes. Double chins are generally caused by unwanted fat that has accumulated beneath the chin and along the neck. Liposuction is the process of manually removing fat, so the procedure can definitely improve the appearance of a double chin.
How long does double chin lipo take to heal?
Healing from double chin removal usually takes around one to two weeks. You’ll need to take around one week off from work, and it will be slightly longer before you can return to your regular routine, including exercise. It may take several months for all swelling to go down.
How painful is chin liposuction?
Over the course of the first few days after surgery, you may experience some pain and discomfort. But this soreness will go away quickly, and you’ll be left with just swelling as your main symptom for several weeks.
What is the best treatment for double chin excess fat?
The quickest and most effective treatment for double chin excess fat is chin liposuction.
How much does chin liposuction cost near me?
The double chin liposuction price usually ranges from $2,500 to $5,000, although the cost may be higher, depending on where you get surgery and who your plastic surgeon is.
Book Your Consultation Appointment
If you would like more information regarding chin liposuction, please schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Nicholas Lahar. We look forward to hearing from you!
