Discover How This Minimally Invasive Procedure Can Sculpt Your Jawline and Eliminate Double Chins
A double chin can add years to your appearance and detract from an otherwise youthful and vivacious look. Though some amount of fullness under the chin is normal as we age, an undefined, sagging jawline or excessive fat deposits in the neck and chin area can make you feel self-conscious.
If you’re looking for a way to sculpt a slimmer, better-contoured jawline and profile, submental chin liposuction may be the right solution for you.
In this complete guide to submental chin liposuction, New York plastic surgeon Dr. Darren M. Smith covers everything you need to know about this transformative procedure.
You’ll learn how submental liposuction works to remove fat and refine the chin and neck, what to expect during recovery, its benefits over nonsurgical options, and how to determine if you’re a good candidate.
What Is Submental Chin Liposuction?
Submental liposuction, also referred to as chin liposuction or submental lipectomy, is a minimally invasive procedure that removes excess fat deposits beneath the chin and neck to sculpt a slimmer jawline and profile.
This surgical procedure precisely targets and eliminates stubborn fat pockets and sagging tissues that can obscure an otherwise chiseled jaw structure. A 2017 study concludes that surgical liposuction might be a more economical treatment modality for double chins.
During submental liposuction, small incisions are made either under the chin or discreetly behind the ears. Your surgeon will insert a thin tube called a cannula through the incisions and move it back and forth to break up and suction out the unwanted fat.
This creates a more defined, streamlined look along the jawline and down the neck. Liposuction can also be combined with treatments like chin implants or a neck lift for optimal rejuvenation.
Submental liposuction helps eliminate the double chin appearance and restore confidence in your profile. It can successfully remove fat even in areas resistant to diet and exercise. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient surgery and recovery takes about 2-3 weeks.
Unlock a Defined Jawline: Schedule Your Submental Chin Liposuction Consultation with Dr. Darren Smith Today!
Benefits of Submental Chin Liposuction
There are many aesthetic benefits associated with submental liposuction for the chin and neck area:
Eliminates double chin appearance
Liposuction removes fat deposits under the chin responsible for submental fullness or double chin. This slims the lower face for a more Youthful profile.
Sculpts and defines the jawline
Suctioning out excess fat reduces jowling and sagging to create a sharper, more chiseled jaw structure. This accentuates your bone structure.
Tightens the neck skin
Removing the fat allows the skin in the chin and neck area to retract and redrape over the new contours, resulting in a smooth, tighter neck.
Provides permanent, natural-looking results
The fat removal is permanent, giving long-lasting improvements to your chin and neck profile when maintained with a stable weight. The results appear natural.
Boosts self-confidence
A more youthful, slim face can greatly improve your confidence and how you feel about your appearance.
Minimally invasive procedure
Submental liposuction requires only small incisions with minimal downtime and discomfort during recovery.
Your specific benefits will depend on your unique goals and how much correction you need in the chin and neck region. Overall, patients see a dramatic yet natural enhancement of their profile.
Are You a Good Candidate For Submental Chin Liposuction?
The best candidates for submental liposuction are men and women who struggle with a double chin or excess fat under the chin and:
| 1 | Have good skin elasticity | The skin needs to be firm and elastic enough to retract back nicely over the treated areas after the fat is removed through liposuction. Skin with poor elasticity is more likely to appear loose or saggy after liposuction. |
| 2 | Are close to their ideal body weight | Being at or near your ideal weight prior to liposuction allows for better contouring results and a more proportional appearance. Those who are significantly overweight are not ideal candidates since liposuction is meant to refine body shape, not be a weight loss solution. |
| 3 | Do not smoke | Smoking can impair healing and cause complications during recovery. Nicotine also damages skin elasticity. People who smoke are more prone to issues like skin necrosis, delayed wound healing, and less skin retraction post-procedure. |
| 4 | Have realistic expectations about the improvements liposuction can provide | Patients should consult with their surgeon and have a clear understanding of the localized improvements liposuction can and cannot provide. The doctor will evaluate your individual anatomy to determine treatment options specific to your goals. Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment. |
| 5 | Are in overall good health without conditions that can impair healing | Your medical history is reviewed to ensure you do not have any conditions that could inhibit your healing, increase risks of complications, or negatively impact your results. Some conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders can interfere with healing. Being in good health can help ensure the best outcome. |
Both younger and mature patients can be great candidates for chin liposuction depending on their skin tone and the improvements desired. An in-person evaluation is needed to assess your candidacy.
Find Out If You’re a Perfect Fit: Consult with Dr. Darren Smith to Determine Your Submental Liposuction Eligibility
How To Prepare For Submental Chin Liposuction
Preparing properly for your submental liposuction will ensure the best results and recovery. Here are some tips:
- Discontinue blood-thinning medications 2 weeks before surgery that can increase bleeding risks such as aspirin, ibuprofen, certain supplements, etc.
- Stop smoking at least 6 weeks before surgery for optimal healing and skin retraction. Smoking severely impairs outcomes.
- Get medical clearance from your primary care doctor if you have any underlying health conditions.
- Arrange help at home for at least 3-4 days after surgery for household chores, cooking, errands, etc.
- Stock up on soft, easy-to-chew foods to eat while recovering when chewing is uncomfortable.
What Happens During Submental Chin Liposuction
- Pre-Op: You arrive at the surgical center and are brought to a private pre-op room where you change into a gown. Your vitals will be monitored and the procedural areas are marked and photographed. You will then be escorted to the operating room.
- Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation to maximize comfort. You are relaxed but not completely asleep. The areas being treated are numbed with an injection to block pain.
- Liposuction: After ensuring anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon makes small incisions either underneath the chin or behind the ears. A thin cannula attached to a suction device is inserted and moved back and forth to break up and remove excess fat.
- Closing: Once the desired reduction and contouring is achieved, the incisions are carefully closed with sutures and covered with tape. A support garment is placed around your chin and neck to reduce swelling.
- Post-Op: You are monitored in recovery until stable and then discharged home with specific postoperative directions. A follow-up is scheduled to remove sutures and assess healing.
The procedure takes 1-2 hours depending on the amount of fat being removed and areas treated. Your plastic surgeon will continuously communicate with you throughout to ensure your comfort and safety.
Experience Precision and Comfort: Trust Dr. Darren Smith for Your Submental Liposuction – Inquire About Your Procedure Today!
Recovering from Submental Chin Liposuction: What to Expect
While submental chin liposuction is minimally invasive, you should still expect some side effects and downtime during the recovery process:
- Swelling and bruising are common for the first 1-2 weeks, concentrated under the chin and jawline region. Using cold compresses can help minimize this.
- Moderate discomfort, tightness, and soreness will be present for several days, managed with prescription pain medication.
- Most patients take 1 week off work. Light activity is possible after a few days, while strenuous activities should wait 3-4 weeks.
- Normal daily activities can be resumed after 7-10 days, though some soreness may remain. Swelling takes 2-3 weeks to fully subside.
- Compression garments are worn for several weeks to reduce swelling and support healing.
- Temporary numbness around the chin, neck, or earlobe can occur but usually resolves within a few weeks.
- Final results become visible around 3 months after surgery as the skin fully adjusts and swelling resolves.
Most side effects from swelling, bruising and soreness resolve within 2-4 weeks with proper rest and aftercare. Dr. Smith will provide prescriptions and instructions for a comfortable recovery.
Submental Chin Liposuction vs. Nonsurgical Options
Nonsurgical or minimally invasive options exist for treating submental fullness like injectable Kybella or CoolSculpting. However, chin liposuction offers more dramatic and longer-lasting results in most cases.
Here’s how the options compare:
| Treatment | How it Works | Frequency | Results Seen | Longevity of Results |
| Kybella Injections | Series of in-office injections to destroy fat cells under the chin over months | Multiple treatments needed for moderate improvement | Take 6+ months to see results | May relapse once treatments stop |
| CoolSculpting | Non-invasive fat reduction using controlled cooling to damage fat cells | Multiple treatments needed over months for moderate improvements | Take 2-3 months | May fade over time as fat cells expand |
| Submental Liposuction | Surgically removes fat cells permanently under the chin | One treatment | Immediate, significant, dramatic improvements | Long lasting, permanent results if weight is stable |
Non-invasive options can produce subtle improvements in chin fullness over time, but submental liposuction is better equipped to remove fat definitively and sculpt dramatic, natural-looking definition along the jawline and chin.
For substantial improvements in chin projection and contour, liposuction is the more effective option. Dr. Smith can help determine which treatment best suits your anatomy, goals and tolerance for recovery.
Get Submental Chin Liposuction in New York with Dr. Darren M. Smith
New York plastic surgeon Dr. Darren M. Smith is a leader in submental liposuction who achieves dramatic, beautiful jawline definition for his patients. He is double board-certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and The American Board of Otolaryngology.
With his blend of surgical expertise, artistic vision for facial rejuvenation, and friendly bedside manner, Dr. Smith consistently delivers extraordinary yet natural-looking results that exceed patient expectations.
He invests ample time listening to your unique goals and explaining your best options during a personalized consultation.
To experience the transformative profile sculpting possible with submental chin liposuction, contact Dr. Darren M. Smith today to schedule your consultation!
