What is Chin and Neck Liposuction?
Liposuction of the neck and chin is clinically one of the most rewarding procedures in cosmetic surgery. With a short, low-risk, and relatively cheap procedure, patients achieve a significant change in their appearance. Liposuction is performed for areas of fatty tissue that won’t go away with weight loss and exercise. This procedure can remove stubborn fat pockets and contours the curves of the body.
Neck liposuction is done with a tiny incision under your chin and can be done with a combination of facial renewal procedures such as a facelift. Liposuction is performed through a small, inconspicuous incision in the chin. The fat is removed through a hollow tube known as a cannula. Liposuction is not a weight-loss method and is not a treatment of obesity.
Chin Liposuction, at a glance
Target area: Fatty deposits under the chin (double chin), on the neck and/or the jowls
Time off work: 1-2 weeks
Total recovery: 6-weeks
Compression garment: 1 week full-time wear, 4 weeks total
Scar position: Small needle marks under chin and jaw
Am I a Good Candidate for Chin (Submental Liposuction) and Neck Liposuction Procedure?
Liposuction surgery is a great option for those who are unhappy with the appearance of their neck and chin due to the accumulation of fat. If you are trying to decide whether or not you are a good candidate for this treatment, consider a few qualifying factors:
- You have pockets of fat around your neck
- You must be in good general health
- You must have realistic expectations and goals
- You must have firm, elastic skin
- You must not be under certain medication and supplements
- The appearance of the chin and neck is affecting your mental health and self-image
- You are bothered by the appearance of the neck and chin.
- You are a nonsmoker
- You are within 30% of your ideal body weight.
Benefits of the Liposuction Procedure
A flabby-looking chin and excess fat accumulated in your chin and neck can impact how you feel about yourself. The liposuction procedure is highly acknowledged for its effective and accurate face contouring results. One of the major benefits of chin liposuction treatment is that it involves less pain and discomfort and a quicker recovery than treatment using fat dissolving injectables.
Results are subtle rather than dramatic. Moreover, chin and neck liposuction can also help to tighten the skin. Some other benefits include less time involved in the treatment, minimal bleeding, minimal swelling, and minimal pain and discomfort. Liposuction works best on people with good skin tone and elasticity, where the skin moulds itself into new contours.
Before and After Photos
Steps of a Liposuction Procedure
Chin and neck liposuction is an outpatient procedure and relatively minor surgery.
The following are the basic steps for chin and neck liposuction:
- Dr Doyle will examine your chin and neck and make markings with a marker to outline which areas will have liposuction and where the cannula will be inserted.
- Then, the operative field is cleaned thoroughly with an antiseptic solution to minimise infection risks.
- Dr Doyle will then inject local anaesthesia into the neck to numb the skin and underlying tissues.
- Then Dr Doyle will make small incisions in the skin which will be just large enough to introduce the liposuction cannula.
- After the introduction of the liposuction cannula, Dr Doyle will use a back and forth or fanning motion which will remove the excess fat. In this period, he will closely monitor the amount of fat removed to ensure a smooth and even facial appearance.
- Once the fat has been removed, the cannula is removed, and the incision is stitched.
- After the end of the procedure, bandaging is done as required. This typically includes a neck support garment to support the skin while it heals.
How to Define and Sculpt the Face
Recovery from Liposuction Procedure
Most bruising and swelling should go away in two weeks. After neck and chin liposuction, it is common to suffer from mild discomfort in the neck. Dr Doyle will prescribe pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications so that you can remain comfortable throughout recovery. During this period, you will use a compression bandage for 1 week after liposuction of the neck to ensure that the neck stays firm day and night and then nightly for the next two weeks.
Your Procedure Journey
Consultation
Your initial consultation with Dr Doyle is the first step of your liposuction journey and it includes choosing and meeting your surgeon to get evaluated to ensure that you have realistic expectations for the procedure. During the consultation period, Dr Doyle will explain the details of the procedure along with the benefits and risks of it so that you can decide if it is the right choice for you.
It is strongly recommended that you are completely honest and candid with Dr Doyle when discussing your expectations and goals for the surgery. This will allow Dr Doyle to ensure that the desired results are achieved. And if they cannot be achieved solely by a liposuction procedure, Dr Doyle may recommend other associated procedures you can undergo at the same time to meet your expectations.
Post-Operative recovery
Recovery after Chin Liposuction is fairly comfortable for the patient. There is a mild amount of swelling that peaks on the third day and is almost all gone by the second week. Other things that help are sleeping with 2 pillows to elevate your head, avoiding salty foods, and drinking plenty of water for the 2 weeks after surgery. Some postoperative suggestion for you are:
- Have a family, friend, or close one to drive you home. Although you will be awake throughout the procedure, the compression garments can be a little distracting at first.
- Avoid straining and heavy lifting exercise for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
- You must always wear a compression garment applied by Dr Doyle otherwise it may compromise the outcome of the surgery.
Risks and Complications of Chin and Neck Liposuction
Patients should expect that some side effects may occur after their chin and neck liposuction procedure.
These risks may include:
- Anaesthesia risks
- Bleeding
- Haematoma
- Infection
- Injury to nearby structures
The most common symptoms to occur after neck liposuction are numbness, tingling, swelling, bruising, and discomfort. However, other symptoms can’t be ruled out. Even though serious complications are rare, patients are still susceptible to them after their surgical procedure. Therefore, patients need to keep an eye out for the possible signs of serious complications.
You should discuss these side-effects with your surgeon in detail to be able to make an informed decision. It is important to note that most of the complications and side-effects of the chin and neck liposuction procedure can be avoided by choosing a qualified and highly-skilled specialist plastic surgeon to perform the procedure. Book a consultation with Dr Doyle today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does chin and neck liposuction cost?
The price of neck and chin liposuction varies depending upon the amount of liposuction required and whether the procedure is performed in a hospital general anaesthetic or under local anaesthetic in Dr Doyle’s rooms. The total cost may include an anaesthetists fee, surgeons fee, and hospital fees. This cost may or may not involve tests involved in pre-anaesthetic check-up investigations. The discharge medications including antibiotics and painkillers can add some cost.
Dr Doyle offers premium liposuction using advanced techniques. His surgeon fee reflects his 30 years of experience and commitment to achieving natural results. As this is a primarily cosmetic procedure, liposuction to the neck or chin won’t attract a Medicare rebate. If you are seeking treatment for loose and saggy neck skin, a neck lift may be considered a viable alternative. For more information on pricing, view our pricing resources:
How long does it take to recover from neck liposuction?
The recovery time after neck liposuction will depend upon the individual, as well as the extent of surgery. Usually, a patient can return to daily activities the next day and return to work within 2 weeks of surgery. Some persistent neck tightness can occur for a few weeks. Mild bruising and swelling are considered normal. The symptoms usually subside after the first week, but tightness can persist for up to several months.
How painful is chin (Submental Liposuction) liposuction?
Pain associated with chin lipo is usually minimal. Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, only a small incision is needed to insert the cannula, there is only very little soft tissue injury, so the pain is relatively mild. When using postoperative analgesics and compression garments, the pain is usually not an issue.
Are you awake during chin lipo?
Liposuction can be done under local anaesthetic or general anaesthesia. If local anaesthesia is used, you are completely awake throughout the procedure. Anxious patients are usually sedated before the procedure, which means you may not be completely awake.
How should I sleep after chin lipo?
Sleeping can be challenging after liposuction usually for those who prefer a prone sleep position. Sleep on your back with your head elevated on 2 pillows for at least 1-2 weeks after surgery. Avoid turning your head from side to side if possible.
How long do the results of chin liposuction last?
Chin and neck liposuction removes fat in the chin and upper neck areas. Their result should last a long time if your weight remains constant. If you gain excess weight, you will put on fat in these areas. Although most of the fat cells are removed, the remaining fats cell can expand up to four times their normal size. Skin laxity can occur with aging, but this process is slow and gradual. Living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding obesity are the most important things that can be done to forestall this process.
How long after chin lipo do you see results?
You will start to observe the differences after the first week. The final result is usually visible at six months. As swelling is very common after liposuction procedures, even with the compression device and massage techniques, it can take a few weeks for swelling to subside. It may take up to 6months for the skin to tighten.
Can chin lipo go wrong?
Every surgical procedure can have complications, and these will be discussed with Dr Doyle at your consultation. The recovery period is also very important. With timely medication and the appropriate wearing of garments, the complication rate is very low.
Can you drive after chin lipo?
Liposuction under local anaesthesia is an outpatient procedure and you will be able to drive following the procedure. If you receive any form of sedation or general anaesthesia, then it is best that you do not drive for 24 hours after the procedure.
Does the fat come back after chin lipo?
Fat will not usually come back if you maintain your post-lipo weight. If you gain excess weight, then fat cells throughout the body will get bigger. As you have less fat cells in your neck and chin as a result of the liposuction, then you would put less weight on this area compared to if you had not had the procedure done. Many liposuction patients who gain considerable weight tend to still look better than if they did not have liposuction.
Why am I skinny but my face is chubby?
Genetics plays a huge role in determining the structure of our body parts. It could be anything colour of eyes, face, height, and the list goes on. The shape of the face may also be determined by genetic traits. Having a round face can appear chubbier than a square face.
Why is my neck fat but I’m skinny?
If you are skinny but have significant neck fat, then you might be genetically predisposed to having stubborn fat underneath the chin area. Other causes of double chin in skinny people include poor posture and age.
Why do I have a double chin when I’m skinny?
If you are thin and you have a double chin, then you might be genetically predisposed to having stubborn fat underneath the chin area. The storage of stubborn fat is a genetic predisposition. Liposuction surgery can give excellent results in these circumstances.
Can I lose face and neck fat overnight?
Losing fat can be a challenge on its own and extra fat in the face can be stubborn to lose. It’s not possible to lose fat overnight rather, it should be a process of diet and exercise as well as consistency. These tips can be helpful:
- Do facial exercise
- Add cardio to your routine
- Drink more water
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Cut back on refined carbs
- Switch up your sleep schedule
- Watch your sodium intake
- Eat more fibre
Medical References:
- Goodstein WA (1996) Superficial liposculpture of the face and neck. Plast Reconstr Surg 98:988 discussion 997
- Gasperoni C, Salgarello M, Emiliozzi P, Gargani G (1990) Subdermal liposuction. Aesthet Plast Surg 14(2):137–142
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plast) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
