Chin Liposuction or Kybella after fully-healed Genioplasty? (Photos)

Question

Hi there, I am a woman in my late 20s who has gone through maxillofacial/orthognathic double jaw surgery for severe underbite and malocculusion at the age of 19. After recovery, the doctor also performed a genioplasty due to overgrowth in the chin area. After the genioplasty nearly 10 years ago, I‘m dissatisfied with my overall side profile and chin and lower jaw and am looking for solutions regarding my chin fat and tissue. What can I do with my side profile? Would I be a good candidate for a less invasive option like Kybella or should I consider any other procedures like liposuction?

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

Good news for the bone! On that profile, your chin projection reads well and the genioplasty achieved its purpose. The part that you keep pointing out is soft tissue beneath the chin and a neck angle that has softened. Determine what that pad is comprised of, ideally in an in-person consultation, before you commit to any type of procedure. Consider trying the pinch test. If it feels like fat with skin that bounces back into its previous shape, which it should at your young age, you might do better investing money in submental liposuction. Typically, a single session is adequate, resulting in a smoother jawline and a cleaner neck contour. While Kybella does dissolve fat, it takes several treatments, involves swelling that lasts approximately two weeks for each application and does not provide the sculpting precision of a cannula in creating a sharp angular profile; thus, for a clearly defined look, lipo is my preferred method. However, there is a caveat: neither procedure will address a chin that appears extended or droops slightly downward from the previous genioplasty, if that is one aspect contributing to your dissatisfaction. That issue stems from a different matter: the bone itself. Thus, first find out the root cause with a personal examination, whether it is fat, soft tissue sagging, or a bone concern, and then proceed with fat removal once you have confirmed it.

#StayBeautiful,

@RealDrWorldWide

#StayBeautiful,

@RealDrWorldWide

Michael P. Morrissette, DDS, FACS · Answer

Based on the photos, I would recommend lower face, jawline, and submental liposuction. In addition, a chin "tuck" will reduce the chin projection and provide a softer appearance. Kybella has limited value in comparison to facial liposuction.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

After double jaw surgery and genioplasty, it’s very common to reassess the lower face years later as the tissues settle and facial balance changes with time. What you’re describing—concerns about chin fullness and side profile—usually involves a combination of soft tissue, fat distribution, and the underlying bony structure that was already surgically adjusted.

The key point here is that after a genioplasty, the chin shape is primarily defined by bone position, and any remaining fullness is typically related to submental fat, soft tissue thickness, or skin laxity, rather than the bone itself.

In terms of treatment options:

Kybella (deoxycholic acid injections) can help reduce small to moderate submental fat. It works by dissolving fat cells gradually over time. It can be a good option if the concern is mild fullness and the skin has good elasticity. However, after prior surgery, results can be less predictable because of scar tissue and altered anatomy in the area. It may also require multiple sessions and can cause swelling during the treatment course.

Chin or submental liposuction tends to be more effective when there is a more defined pocket of fat or when a stronger contour change is desired. In many cases, it provides more immediate and noticeable definition compared to injectables. That said, in patients with prior genioplasty, it must be done carefully because the tissue planes can be slightly altered, and there is a higher need for precision to avoid contour irregularities.

When deciding between the two, the main factors I would look at are:

How much of the fullness is fat versus skin or structural
Skin quality and elasticity
Presence of scar tissue from prior surgery
The degree of change you are hoping to achieve

In some cases, neither Kybella nor liposuction alone fully addresses the profile concern, especially if the issue is more related to chin projection or jawline balance rather than fat alone. In those situations, subtle contouring approaches or combination treatments are considered more carefully.

Overall, patients in your situation are often better evaluated in person (or via detailed photos and imaging) so we can really distinguish whether this is a fat issue, a contour issue, or a structural balance concern—because that determines which option will actually give a meaningful improvement.

Chin Liposuction or Kybella after fully-healed Genioplasty? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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