Chance my doctor can cut my corotid artery during chin liposuction? Also I have an an enlarged thyroid with nodules (Photo)

Question

My only fear going in for chin liposuction is my doc hitting the main artery. Is this possible?

Paul M. Steinwald, MD · Answer

. . . as per the answers below; in addition, fairly blunt cannulas are used, very superficially (near the skin surface).  There is often no need to go as low as the thyroid gland to get the results you are probably looking for. Hope this helps and Happy New Year!

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

The carotid artery sits in a groove on the medial aspect of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in your neck.  In other words, it is extremely deep and would require a deliberate effort to injure.  So, in experienced hands, the chances of injury are pretty close to zero.  An enlarged thyroid/ thyroid nodules should not affect your surgery unless there is some concern about the possibility of thyroid cancer or if you have problems with your thyroid hormone levels.

Daniel J. Liebertz, MD · Answer

Chin liposuction, also known as submental liposuction, is used to target unwanted fat deposits under the jawline that contribute to double chins and loss of neck contour. Generally, submental liposuction addresses the layer of fat found immediately below the skin and above the muscular layer than envelopes the neck, called the platysma. Your carotid artery, jugular vein, thyroid gland, and other 'deep neck' structures are all found beneath the platysma muscle. Performed correctly, there is very minimal risk of injuring the carotid artery during submental liposuction. Similarly, a normal-sized thyroid gland lies both deep to - and lower than - the normally-targeted region of fat deposits and is therefore not at risk during chin lipo.

Wendell G. Miles, MD · Answer

If your surgeon is well-trained, and fully credentialed, carotid artery injury should be essentially a non-issue. Having operated on the carotid artery during my general surgery training, my knowledge of the anatomy should make risk of its injury remote. Is your thyroid condition symptomatic? Are you on medication for it? Those are important questions to answer before proceeding. Good luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The carotid artery is located very deep in the neck, and is extremely unlikely to be cut during liposuction.   Choose your surgeon very wisely based on extensive experience to reduce complications .

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

The chance of the carotid artery being cut is nearly zero but not impossible.  Choose a surgeon with experience and poise.   Ask your surgeon this question.  My Best,  Dr Commons

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many facial shaping procedures using dermal fillers, facial implants (cheek, chin), liposuction and/or facelifts for over 30 years.  From the photos, your chin is weak (with a slight degree of ptosis), there is excess fat and skin below the chin and in the neck.

I have performed many Chin Augmentations using chin implants for over 30 years.  From the photos, your chin is weak.  A weak chin creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin.  Chin augmentation using a chin implant will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face.

I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty.  I perform chin implant surgery in 30 minutes or less, often using a local anesthetic alone.  In my opinion, you are a good candidate for chin implant surgery.

The back portion of your jaw line is a bit weak and can be augmented, without making your face appear masculine, using precise placement of a dermal filler (I prefer using Restylane Lyft). Liposuction removes subcutaneous fat that's below the skin but above the muscle layer.  This tissue plane is far above the arteries which makes injury to the Carotid artery extremely unlikely.Hope this helps.

Chance my doctor can cut my corotid artery during chin liposuction? Also I have an an enlarged thyroid with nodules (Photo)

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