Are chin lipo and submentoplasty the same procedure?

Question

I had chin lipo done a few years ago. From what I remember, my surgeon didn't call it anything other than lipo and the procedure was easy. She didn't mention going Uber my muscles. Unfortunately my results were underwhelming. Recently someone suggested submentoplasty to get the fat under my neck muscle. I'm so confused because I thought they were the same thing - am I wrong?

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

Many times, superficial liposuction of the chin or neck region can yield a very nice outcome with an improved jawline and profile.  However, it's not a fix all.  If the anatomy is such that there is fat deep to the muscles of the neck, it can't be suctioned, but it can be removed.  Typically a 3 cm incision is made in or near the chin crease.  The neck muscles are divided, and the deep fat is removed under direct vision of the surgeon.  The muscle is then repaired, or sometimes tightened, and the skin wound is closed.  There are many techniques, and this is just one of them.
Plastic surgeons perform these maneuvers all the time during facelifts, but we certainly can use them for patients whose anatomy does not allow for an improved profile with liposuction alone.
Good Luck!

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of facial and neck photographs from all angles are going to be required to make a determination about how best to proceed.  Liposuction can only remove the fat deposits above the platysma muscle.  A surgical neck lift is required to remove the fat deposits underneath platysma muscle which also includes a platysma-plasty.  This is known as a submentoplasty.

Are chin lipo and submentoplasty the same procedure?

Answers (2)