Submental Liposuction (Under-Chin)
When the extra fat beneath your chin is removed, the line of your jaw and neck looks cleaner. You catch yourself in the mirror and feel a little lighter, a little more refreshed.
Is this right for you?
Not everyone needs this procedure, and that is perfectly fine. Here is a way to picture whether you might be a good fit. A face-to-face consultation with your surgeon is where the real answer becomes clear.
This may be a good fit if
- You are a man or woman aged 18 or older.
- You have extra fat that settles under your chin, creating the look most people call a double chin.
- You want the area under your chin and your neck to look cleaner, and you understand that the final result takes a few weeks to show.
- You are healthy enough to go through a procedure and a pre-operative anesthesia assessment.
This may not be right if
- You are under 18.
- The fullness under your chin comes mainly from loose skin or the shape of your jawbone rather than from extra fat. In that case, liposuction alone may not solve it, and your surgeon will talk with you about other options.
- You have a health condition that makes local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or surgery unsafe for you right now.
- You are hoping for an instant, complete change the moment surgery is over, rather than accepting a gradual recovery.
How it works
Everything begins with an examination and consultation. A specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, who is also the same person who will operate on you, will assess your general health, the amount of extra fat under your chin and in other areas of your body, and the condition of your skin.
Before surgery, you will have routine tests and be examined by an anesthesiologist. One thing to keep in mind: stop taking any medicines that contain Aspirin for 10 days before surgery. This careful pre-anesthesia check helps lower the risks that can come with local or general anesthesia.
In most cases, you have local anesthesia, which means only the area under your chin is numbed and you stay awake. Some cases call for general anesthesia, when you are having other combined procedures that require it.
During surgery, your surgeon makes a few very small incisions under your chin and removes the extra fat through them. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes, or longer if other procedures are done at the same time. The small incisions are closed with absorbable sutures, the kind that dissolve on their own, so you do not have to come back to have them removed. You usually go home the same day.
Realistic expectations
This procedure is meant to refine the line of your chin and neck by removing extra fat. So you know what to expect, here are a few things it does not aim to do.
What this will not do
- It does not address a large amount of loose skin or the underlying bone structure. If that is where your concern lies, you may need combined procedures such as removal of excess skin under the chin and neck, or a face and neck lift, and your surgeon will discuss this with you directly.
- It is not a substitute for keeping your weight steady; fat in other areas of your body is not part of a single under-chin liposuction.
- It does not show you the final result the moment you leave the operating room. The treated area needs time to settle.
Recovery
Recovery after under-chin liposuction is usually gentle, but it still takes a little time and patience. The milestones below are rough estimates. Every body is different, and if you have combined procedures, your progress may be slower.
- Right after surgery
- You usually go home the same day. The area under your chin is lightly wrapped with an elastic bandage for about 24 to 48 hours.
- The first 3 days or so
- You are given pain medicine during the early days, usually for about 3 days, depending on any combined procedures and how well you tolerate them.
- The first few days
- You may notice mild swelling and bruising in the treated area. These signs usually fade after a few days. The dressing over the incisions is generally changed after about 2 days.
- The next day onward
- Many people return to their normal activities and work as soon as the next day, depending on the nature of your job and any procedures that may have been done together.
- About 2 to 3 weeks
- The final result is usually assessed after about 2 to 3 weeks, once the area under your chin has settled and the contour is clearer.
Risks & safety
Liposuction done by the right principles usually goes smoothly, but like any surgery, it still carries risks. You should understand these clearly before you decide.
- Hematoma, meaning blood that collects under the skin in the treated area.
- Infection at the surgical site.
- Complications related to local anesthesia.
- Complications related to general anesthesia, in cases where general anesthesia is needed for combined procedures.
- Swelling and bruising in the first few days. This usually fades on its own, but it is a normal reaction to be aware of.
- The contour and how clean the under-chin area looks vary from person to person, and only become clear after a few weeks.
How we do it
At The Gioi Dep, liposuction is performed by a specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery who has been trained in this technique, and it is carried out in a hospital licensed for aesthetic surgery. These are two conditions tied directly to your safety, not minor details.
The person who examines and advises you is also the one who operates on you, so what the two of you discuss about your general health, the amount of fat, and the condition of your skin goes straight into the plan. Before surgery, you have a careful pre-anesthesia assessment by an anesthesiologist, a step that helps lower the risks that can arise during anesthesia.
Frequently asked questions
Does it hurt a lot?
You will be given pain medicine during the early days, usually for about 3 days. How much discomfort you feel depends on you and on whether you have other combined procedures.
How long do I need to take off work?
Many people return to their normal activities and work as soon as the next day, depending on the nature of your job and any procedures that may have been done together.
Will it leave a scar?
Your surgeon makes only a few very small incisions to remove the fat, closed with absorbable sutures, so you do not need to come back to have them removed. The incisions are covered with small strips of dressing and changed after about 2 days.
Do I have to stay in the hospital?
You usually go home the same day as the procedure.
How long does the procedure take?
Usually about 30 minutes, or longer if you have other procedures done at the same time.
Will I have local or general anesthesia?
In most cases you have local anesthesia. Some cases call for general anesthesia, when you are having other combined procedures that require it.
How soon will I see the result?
The first few days may still bring mild swelling and bruising. The final result is usually assessed after about 2 to 3 weeks.
Can I still have this done if I am older?
This procedure is for people aged 18 or older who have extra fat under the chin. What matters more than your age is your general health, which your surgeon will assess during the consultation.
Will it look natural?
The goal is to make the area under your chin cleaner and more in balance with your face. Results vary from person to person and depend on the amount of fat and the condition of your skin.
What if my concern is loose skin and not only fat?
In that case, liposuction alone may not be enough. Depending on your situation, your surgeon may discuss combined procedures such as removal of excess skin under the chin and neck, or a face and neck lift.
The next step
Book a consultation to find out if this is right for you.
The content on this page is for reference only and does not replace a direct examination and consultation with a specialist physician. Surgical outcomes vary from person to person.