33, Female – Chin liposuction or deep neck lift? (Photos)

Question

I’m 33 with a relatively low/normal BMI and I’m planning to lose another 10–15 lbs. I’ve always had a softer jawline, but it’s become more noticeable over the years. I also had a Sistrunk procedure (thyroglossal duct cyst removal) 12 years ago, leaving me with a midline neck scar and some scar tissue. Based on these photos, would you recommend chin liposuction, a deep neck lift/lower facelift, or something else? My biggest hesitation is that I feel young for a neck lift and worry about needing another facelift later in life, but I also don’t want to spend money on chin lipo if the improvement would be minimal. I’d really appreciate any opinions, especially from facial plastic surgeons or anyone with similar anatomy.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

To avoid spending money on a procedure that might yield minimal results, your best next step is to schedule a few consultations with board-certified facial plastic surgeons who specialize explicitly in deep-plane neck and face surgery.

I hope, This help you with your concern.
Dr. Luis Mejia
Let´s make it better

I hope, This help you with your concern.
Dr. Luis Mejia
Let´s make it better

Philip Wasicek, MD · Answer

Hello, 
You are asking a very good question that I hear a lot from younger patients. My overall recommendation for you is to have a consultation in-person with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in these surgeries. 
You may be happy with the results of neck liposuction. Some people are good candidates for chin augmentation that can substantially improve the appearance of their necks. A deep plane structural necklift can further improve one's results. A deep plane (structural) necklift is not so much about correcting the effects of aging in younger patients as it is about changing anatomy and volume. 
Ultimately it depends on the degree of improvement you are seeking. Some patient undergo neck liposuction first and then reassess--neck liposuction does not necessarily prevent someone from undergoing a deep plane necklift in the future. 
Hope this helps.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

From your limited photographs, it appears that you have a slightly  recssive chin because you're mandible didn't quite grow far enough forward, so give some consideration to a small chin implant for better structural support for the soft tissue in the neck. You also have fat deposits located both above and below the platysma muscle in your neck. This is especially noticeable when you put your chin down. At 33 years of age, you do not need a face lift procedure. In our practice, a deep neck lift procedure involves making three small access incisions, removing the fat deposits above the platysma muscle with liposuction, surgical extraction of this fat below the plasma muscle in addition to a corset platysma plasty for better contouring. There may be a little scar tissue from your previous cyst, trunk procedure, but an experienced hands that shouldn't be an issue.

Muge Sevindik, MD · Answer

At 33, the best approach would depend on what is actually causing the softness under the chin and along the jawline. In some patients, the issue is mainly superficial fat, in which case chin liposuction can provide a nice improvement. However, if there is deeper fullness, skin laxity, muscle banding, scar tissue, or anatomical factors related to the hyoid position, liposuction alone may give only a limited result.
Your previous Sistrunk procedure and the midline neck scar are also important details. Scar tissue in this area should be carefully assessed before planning any neck procedure, as it may affect both the surgical approach and the expected result.
Since you are planning to lose another 10–15 lbs, it may be helpful to reach your target weight first and then reassess the neck and jawline more accurately. You may not necessarily need a full lower facelift, but a detailed examination would be needed to decide whether chin liposuction, a more structured neck lift approach, or another option would be most suitable.
If you wish, we would be happy to arrange a consultation with Dr. Müge Sevindik so she can review your photos in detail and answer your questions more clearly according to your anatomy and expectations.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your history and photos. At 33 years old with a relatively low BMI, your concerns are very common, especially when you've always had a softer jawline. Your previous Sistrunk procedure also adds an important consideration because scar tissue beneath the chin can influence both your anatomy and the surgical approach.

Based on your description, I wouldn't choose a procedure based on age alone. The decision depends much more on what is creating the fullness in your neck. If the fullness is primarily due to excess fat beneath the chin, chin liposuction can produce a very nice improvement with a relatively short recovery. However, if there is a significant amount of deep fat, muscle banding (platysma), or a low-positioned hyoid bone, liposuction by itself may not create the sharp jawline you're hoping for.

A previous Sistrunk procedure can also leave scar tissue that makes the area more complex. That doesn't necessarily prevent surgery, but it means your surgeon should carefully evaluate how the scar tissue may affect contour and healing.

Since you're planning to lose another 10–15 pounds, I would recommend reaching or getting close to your goal weight before pursuing surgery whenever possible. Weight changes afterward can alter the final contour, and it's helpful to evaluate your neck once your weight has stabilized.

Your concern about being "too young" for a deep neck lift is understandable, but age itself is not a contraindication. When someone has the appropriate anatomy, a deep neck lift can provide a more definitive correction than liposuction alone and does not mean you've "used up" your chance for a facelift later in life. Facial aging continues over decades, and if you eventually choose a facelift many years from now, it would address the changes that occur with aging at that time—not simply repeat the earlier procedure.

Overall, based on the information you've shared, I would recommend a thorough examination by a facial plastic surgeon who performs both chin liposuction and deep neck lifts regularly. They can determine whether your fullness is due to superficial fat, deeper structures, or postoperative scar tissue from your prior surgery. That assessment is what will ultimately determine whether liposuction alone would provide a meaningful improvement or whether a deeper neck procedure would give you a more satisfying and lasting result.

Your questions are thoughtful, and taking the time to understand your anatomy before choosing a procedure is one of the best ways to achieve a result you'll be happy with.

Kyle Kimura, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. 
It is always a bit challenging to say definitively based on photos alone, but liposuction is best for patients that have fullness from superficial fat pads and is not particularly helpful if the fullness is from excess skin or muscle. There are also many patients that have fat pads deep to the neck muscle (platysma) that cannot be accessed with liposuction alone. A deep neck lift can often provide a more significant lift/improvement, however is a larger surgery with more recovery. I think your best bet is to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation and can go over the nuances of these options and perform a thorough exam to determine which might be best for you. 
Hope this helps and best of luck! Kyle Kimura, MD

33, Female – Chin liposuction or deep neck lift? (Photos)

Answers (6)

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