Chin Liposuction or more specifically Liposuction of the neck and under chin area is a very popular and commonly performed procedure at Z Face plastic surgery. Reduction of a double chin or even mild to moderate fullness in this area can add a very remarkable enhancement to the appearance of the entire face.
Dr. Z strives to provide some of the best chin & neck liposuction results in Miami while always practicing patient safety. We hope that the information below provides thorough yet easy-to-understand information that patients should know about liposuction of the under-chin neck area.
Chin liposuction is the term we hear most often when patients refer to submental, double chin, or neck liposuction. All these terms are essentially the same and refer to the removal of excess fat from the neck, just under the chin and jawline area in order to improve facial aesthetics. In its simplest form, the procedure involves suctioning fat through one or more small puncture holes in the skin. With current-day technological advancements, it is also common to add an energy-based device in order to further enhance the results and promote the skin to tighten in the treatment area.
Although the terms are very similar and may be used interchangeably in many cases, there is a difference. Chin liposuction (aka submental liposuction) technically only refers to liposuction of the central portion of the neck, just under the chin. This central pocket is the one that most patients see and point out as being their main concern, however, it is often important to pay attention to the whole width of the neck in order to get the most optimal results. If the central area is the only segment addressed, it can leave fullness on the sides just below the jawline. With a more comprehensive approach, the entire width of the neck is addressed, delineating the jawline, and creating a much better aesthetic result.
Those with fullness in the neck and under the chin area due to excess fat are generally good candidates for neck liposuction. Even a mild amount of fat can be liposuctioned and sculpted underneath the chin and jawline to provide nice results, as long as that fat is located underneath the skin and not deep into the muscle. The cause of a double chin or fullness in the neck can be difficult thing to determine, so a consultation with a qualified and honest surgeon is very important.
Those with small amounts of excess skin may also be candidates for neck liposuction combined with an energy-based device. The heat and agitation from these procedures can lead to some tightening in such cases, while also removing a very small amount of fat that may be present.
Those with fullness caused by either deep fat, platysmal structure, smaller jaw/chin, or inherent neck structure may not benefit as much, or at all from liposuction, as it does not correct for these other issues. Deep fat and platysmal issues are addressed through a small incision underneath the chin, while chin and jawline issues can be treated with surgery, implants, or filler. These procedures are discussed elsewhere on our site and in many cases performed in conjunction with neck liposuction.
It is however important to note that although neck liposuction may not lead to ideal results in these patients, there may still be some improvement. If there is some excess fat in addition to other issues, performing neck liposuction will achieve a partial improvement, which might be enough for those individuals.
***We get many calls from patients that want to book neck liposuction without a consultation. While we are honored that they are putting their trust in us, as you can see from the 3 sections above an evaluation is very important and in the patient’s best interest.
The most common issue that leads to a double chin is excess fat in this stubborn area. Some individuals might even be relatively fit, near their ideal weight, yet still have fullness in their necks. In other cases, it could be more complicated. Sometimes the excess fat is located a little deeper, underneath the platysma muscle of the neck. The platysma muscle itself can also contribute to fullness in cases where it tends to hang lower or stretch too tightly from chin to chest. Other times, there really is not much fat in this area and the fullness is the result of extra skin. The neck fullness may not even be a fullness at all, but rather a result of a small chin and/or jawline, which does not project enough, thereby creating an “apparent fullness”.
Lastly, the issue might be from the naturally occurring shape of one’s neck. The angle that is created by the neck and chin is called the cervicomental angle. The positioning of the deep neck structures like the hyoid bone is a major determining factor.
Because there are so many different contributing factors, it is very important to determine the cause of the fullness before proceeding with treatment.
Chin liposuction provides a significant enhancement to overall facial aesthetics by helping to delineate the chin and jawline, thereby framing the lower face. When you look at many celebrity faces, or prominently attractive figures, a nice jaw and neckline are frequently present. This is because fullness in the neck obscures the transition from the lower face into the neck, thereby altering the apparent proportions of the face.
Additionally, this can be a stubborn area for many patients that do not reduce with just weight loss. Some patients might be close to their ideal weight but still, have excess fat under the chin or neck area. In these cases, weight loss is not a great option as it might put them below their ideal weight, or even result in fat loss from other areas of the face that can impact aesthetics in a very negative way. Thus chin and neck liposuction is beneficial as it allows spot reduction of a specific and noticeable area.
Liposuction of the chin / submental area and neck is a relatively less invasive procedure compared to other surgeries of the neck and takes about 1 hour to complete. This is often performed under local anesthesia but can also be done under general anesthesia as well. The procedure itself is performed by injecting the entire treatment area with a numbing medication that not only helps anesthetize the area but also minimizes bleeding and helps suspend the fat for suctioning. Small holes, approximately ½ inch, are made just underneath the chin and in the creases below each ear lobe. Although it is possible to use one small hole just underneath the chin, performing liposuction from different angles helps reach additional areas and achieve a more even result. If an energy-based device is used, this is usually the optimal time to apply heat, stimulating the skin and the fat below.
Liposuction is then performed through the small holes as the cannula is passed evenly throughout the treatment zones. A cannula is a rigid rod with one or more holes that are connected to suction. The type, size, and number of holes are dependent on surgeon preference and the area to be treated. The key to this part of the procedure is to avoid injury to the skin by puncturing it or thinning it out too much, as well as to avoid any damage to deeper structures while suctioning all the fat evenly throughout the neck. It is important to get the sides of the neck underneath the jawline in order to get a complete result. Some devices combine energy and liposuction into one handle and there is nothing wrong with this method.
Dr. Z prefers to keep these separate and have individual control over each. In fact, Dr. Z often performs an additional pass of an energy-based device to ensure maximal results and follows it up with additional liposuction using a smaller cannula to fine-tune any areas of concern. The small puncture holes are closed, with one or two small sutures (stitches) each. A soft compression garment is applied and the procedure is complete.
Once chin/neck liposuction is complete, an elastic compression garment is applied to the face. Gauze pads are placed over the 3 puncture holes as some watery blood-tinged leakage is expected from those areas during the first 24hrs. This is mostly from the injections during surgery.The numbing medication wears off a few hours after surgery and patients will often feel a dull aching soreness. We provide our patients with a very small amount of mild pain medication, but most do very well with regular Tylenol (acetaminophen). Some patients take this for 1 day while others no longer need medication as soon as 24 hours after the procedure.
Patients can remove the compression dressing for the first time 24 hours after their surgery. We instruct our patients on how to easily reapply the compression and also provide a soft foam to help give a nice soft and even distribution of pressure. The compression is worn all day and night for 5 – 7 days but should be removed twice daily for approximately 30 minutes to shower and allow the skin to breathe. It is possible to remove the compression sooner or to keep it off for longer periods of time, but this can increase swelling and chances of fluid accumulation.Patients can often return to most of their activities the day after surgery as long as they don’t require lifting over 15 lbs., bending over, inverting upside down, or other types of physical strain. Walking is acceptable but jogging should be delayed for 1 week. More intense workouts like running and weight lifting can be resumed after 2 weeks. Activity levels are discussed at each post-operative appointment and may change from patient to patient.
Patients are seen back in the office 1 week after surgery when the stitches are removed and the compression dressing is no longer required. The level of improvement seen at this point varies depending on the amount of liposuction that was required and the patient’s innate capacity for swelling. Those with moderate to severe amounts of fat removed will often see an improvement despite the swelling that is still present. With mild cases, we do sometimes see a small improvement by 1 week, but the swelling often compensates for the small amount of fat removed. Bruising is rare, but when it does occur, it is often resolved in 1 week. There may still be tenderness to touch in some areas (especially under the jawline) and in some cases mild soreness.Resolution of swelling is also highly variable among patients. Typically, patients see notable improvements every week for the first 3 – 6 weeks. Most of our patients tell us that they are happy and notice results around the 3-week mark, while others may take a little longer. The 4-month mark gives us a very nice idea of the final result, however, we frequently see mild improvements for as long as 6 – 12 months after surgery. Adjuvant treatments like Morpheus or other radiofrequency microneedling devices, ultrasound therapy, and warm compress massages may help improve and speed up the results, but only if cleared by the surgeon. The treatment area will often have an odd numbness sensation when touched. This often lasts 3-6 months but can last up to 1 year after surgery.
When looking for a Miami neck & chin liposuction surgeon, it’s important you feel comfortable with his expertise and personality. Dr. Z is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, meaning he’s an expert in facial aesthetics. Dr. Z is passionate about his craft and believes that extended training and learning are life-long responsibilities. He prides himself on offering his patients effective and up-to-date procedures that are the most appropriate for their specific needs.
The cost of chin & neck liposuction in Miami varies greatly from practice to practice. Factors that influence the cost include the amount of work required, the level of care dedicated to the procedure, surgeon expertise, credentialing, and the addition of an energy-based device. It is also important to note that prices increase over time. Therefore, we are happy to provide estimates for those that call but do not disclose them on our website.
In general, considering all factors and the level of quality delivered, we keep our prices at what we consider a fair value. Neck liposuction with assistance from an energy-based device at our practice is greater than $3000.
Many of our Miami patients feel that by removing unwanted fat beneath the neck and chin can benefit their lives by giving them more self-confidence and a rejuvenated appearance. If you’d like to book a consultation or have any questions about the procedure, please contact us today. We proudly see neck liposuction patients all over the greater Miami metropolitan area, including but not limited to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood. We also treat and welcome out-of-state patients from all over the US. We look forward to beginning this journey with you!
