How much fat do you need to have for chin lipo?

Question

I have a small amount of fat under my chin but I'd like to make my jaw look more defined. Is chin lipo too extreme?

Matthew G. Stanwix, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction under the chin is a very common procedure done to define the neck from the side view . Even a small amount of fat can be taken out under local anesthesia or sedation anesthesia. It works very well in most instances. However there are a lot of factors that play into the situation. These include: the skin quality of your neck, your bony configuration, the muscles of your neck and whether they are separated. A full exam by a bc plastic surgeon can help you identify whether you are a good candidate for liposuction alone. A lot of times now I am combining liposuction of the neck with fat transfer to the chin and/or jawline to make that more defined. It's an advanced procedure that gives spectacular results. Best wishes.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Indeed chin (aka submental) liposuction of even a small amount can produce a drastic result.  Other things that need to be considered however is the quality/laxity of your skin and/or platysma muscle as well as the projection of your chin.  To treat problems of these aeas you may also require a formal neck lift to tighten the skin and/or muscle and/or a chin implant respectively.  Glad to help.

Theda C. Kontis, MD · Answer

"Submental" liposuction is a procedure which removes the small fat pocket under your chin. If you have a small pocket of fat and good skin elasticity, you are probably a good candidate for submental liposuction. Occasionally this procedure can be performed under local or sedation anesthesia. Recovery is about a week and you will need to wear a "jaw bra" elastic support during the recovery period.

Carolyn Jacob, MD · Answer

Liposuction of the chin can be done with even a minimal amount of fat using only local anesthesia, however there are other options for you to consider as well.  ThermiRF is a new device which can both tighten the skin and reduce small amounts of fat using radio frequency.  Results show in 2-4 months after this minimally invasive treatment.  Some patients who have minimal fat can also benefit from Thermage skin tightening, which is a non invasive radio frequency technique to reduce the "turkey neck" appearance. Check with your Dermatologic Surgeon to see which one is best for you.

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD · Answer

If you only have a small amount of fat under your chin (submental area), and you want better definition of your jaw, you may benefit from a chin implant more than liposuction.  Without photos, it's difficult to say.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

This can vary widely. Actually a small amount of fat, in many cases, can result in a better result. Liposuction can remove small amounts of fat very nicely and results in a good deal of skin tightening in young healthy people. It's impossible to give specific advice just based on your question so please seek an in-person consultation with a facial surgery expert. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

How much fat do you need to have for chin lipo?

Answers (6)

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