Target Stubborn Fat Deposits in the Lower Half of Your Face
Excess fatty tissue in your chin or neck can create the appearance of a "double-chin" and make you feel self-conscious. This particular area is difficult to target with diet and exercise alone. Submental liposuction, or neck and chin liposuction, is the surgical removal of excess fat underneath your chin and along the surface of your neck. It is one of the many facial surgery procedures offered by board-certified plastic surgeon Sutton Graham at his practice in Greenville, SC. Whether performed on its own or in combination with other procedures, the surgery can help you achieve a sleeker jawline look slimmer and younger.
Requirements for Surgery
Although liposuction is widely considered a very safe method of fat reduction, there are a few requirements for patients considering surgery. In general, you must:
- Be in good overall health
- Be a non-smoker
- Have elastic skin
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be younger than 45 years of age
You should also have realistic expectations about what this surgery can or cannot do. Because submental liposuction only removes the fat under your chin and around your neck, you should consider a neck lift or facelift if you want to remove excess sagging skin or improve the tightness of the area.
Alternatives to Liposuction
If you want a less invasive way to remove unwanted fat under your chin, we can also administer KYBELLA® injections. KYBELLA is designed to address submental fullness. It contains a naturally-occurring molecule called deoxycholic acid which destroys fat cells under the chin.
In general, it takes longer for your outcomes to be noticeable, and many patients require multiple KYBELLA treatments to reach their desired results.
Another alternative to liposuction is CoolSculpting®. This noninvasive treatment option freezes fat cells and allows your body to eliminate it naturally. CoolSculpting is fast and virtually painless, but can take a few sessions to yield the effects you want.
Planning Your Procedure
During your consultation, Dr. Graham will ask you to point out areas on your face, chin, and neck that make you unhappy. He will then recommend procedures which can help you improve these areas. For many patients, we find that chin implants can complement your liposuction and give you an attractive profile.
Submental liposuction can improve the shape of your chin and neck and give you a slimmer, younger appearance.
What to Expect during Treatment
If Dr. Graham is performing submental liposuction on its own, he will create small incisions behind your ears or underneath your chin where remaining scars will be most discreet. He will then gently insert a small surgical tube, or cannula, through the incisions. The cannula allows him to precisely target unwanted fat deposits. Once the desired areas of fat have been treated, Dr. Graham will close your incisions with sutures and you can begin your recovery.
Ensuring a Healthy Recovery
As with any surgery, you should expect some swelling, bruising, and minor discomfort in the days after your surgery. Dr. Graham can provide medication to alleviate any pain after the procedure. Our office will also provide a supportive garment to wear around your chin after surgery. We typically recommend wearing the garment regularly for the first week and then part-time for two additional weeks.
Although the recovery period varies from patient to patient, most patients can return to work within one week of their procedure. To maintain the results of your procedure, you should stay at a stable weight and commit to a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Start Your Transformation
Submental liposuction can improve the shape of your chin and neck and give you a slimmer, younger appearance. Most patients are good candidates for liposuction. However, we have many treatment options available to meet your unique goals. To learn more about the procedure, contact Aesthetic Center Greenville at (864) 676-1707 or through our online contact form.
