Indent and line under chin 5 months post chin lipo (Photo)

Question

I hace an indent that is only made obvious because of that one muscle I think? It’s really affecting how I feel about my results. It was been hard to enjoy my results because I still cannot look at my side profile it’s just a different problem than what I had before

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Properly injected along the jawline and upper neck regions, Botox can help to achieve a nonsurgical necklift, and tighten the upper neck decreasing the appearance of the indent that disturbs you. I have been using this approach for many years for upper neck laxity issues with gratifying results. 
You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist injection expert.  Best of luck.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thanks for your photos and question — I can see what you’re referring to.

What you’re noticing is most likely your digastric muscle showing through after chin lipo. This happens when:

Fat was removed so well that it unmasked your natural muscle structure
You naturally have thinner skin or little padding under your chin
This indentation is not a surgical mistake, but rather a known issue in slim patients after aggressive or effective lipo.

What Can Help:
Tiny fat grafting can smooth the area, but it’s tricky — too much can look puffy, too little won’t help.
Muscle contouring is another option but not always effective, and has some risk.
Filler or collagen-stimulating injections might help mask it temporarily.
Time & skin tightening — you're just 5 months out. Things may still settle over the next few months.
⚠️ Fixing this is challenging — and sometimes the "fix" may not be better than what you have now. I strongly suggest getting multiple consults with experienced facial plastic surgeons before jumping into anything.

Earl Stephenson, Jr, MD, DDS, MBA
ESJ Aesthetics – “Where Confidence Takes Shape!”

Oliver Chang, MD · Answer

Based off your photos - the muscle bellies you are seeing are the digastrics and platysma. Liposuction can not remove muscle and because you had chin lipo, the fat that was there covering these muscles are now thinned out and much less, you see the muscles more. Without seeing a before photo or examining you, those muscles were probably already pretty prominent even prior to the lipo (being that you are young also). Not many options you can do to make that less noticeable but try speaking to your surgeon to see if there are any other options.

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

What you are seeing is the outline of your platysma muscle. This can become quite noticeable after overaggressive liposuction. The superficial fat of the neck needs to protect and "act as a blanket" to cover the deeper structures. I would recommend an open submental incision neck lift to repair this problem.  I recommend seeing a plastic surgeon who has completed at least 6 years of plastic surgery training (ideally 7 if an aesthetic fellowship was completed).

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Persistent844205,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Marguerite E. Aitken, MD, FACS · Answer

Try using both thumbs and massage this area regularly, you are still early and things are evolving so try this and see if it will improve.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. Those are the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles. (I suggest you perform a quick google image search to understand the pertinent anatomy). Unfortunately, submental "chin" liposuction can sometimes skeletonize deeper structures in the neck and make them appear more prominent. Two options you could discuss with your surgeon would be fat grafting (conceptually this is the opposite of liposuction, to try to soften the appearance) or partial excision of the digastric muscles. Each option has drawbacks and neither may offer you a 'perfect' result, but you would need to be seen in person for a proper examination and a more nuanced discussion of advantages and disadvantages. 
Best,Dr. Tower

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

​Swelling can last for weeks following your procedure. To speed up healing, you can try adding Venus Legacy, InMode Forma or Exilis radiofrequency treatments. To improve final results, we will often do Kybella and Ultherapy treatments about 4 to 6 weeks after VASER Neck Liposuction.​ See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Michael S. Kluska, DO · Answer

From the pictures, it appears that the liposuction of your neck was slightly overdone, and now the borders of the platysma muscle are exposed. This is resulting in the lines or indent that you are seeing. This could be corrected with a deep plain neck lift, where the platysma bands would be addressed.

Derek Fletcher, MD · Answer

In my opinion, neck liposuction alone should be reserved for a very small number of patients for the very reason you are concerned about your results.  In the neck, liposuction only removes subcutaneous fat, which is the only layer of tissue covering and camouflaging the anterior edges of the platysma muscles.  When liposuction removes too much fat, the platysma muscles become visible, as they have for you.  Most patients benefit from a deep plane neck lift rather than liposuction alone.  That is my recommendation for you as well.  The neck lift can achieve a deep, clean chin-neck angle and correct the platsmal bands that were uncovered with your liposuction.

Indent and line under chin 5 months post chin lipo (Photo)

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