Fat pocket over and under my jawline - how can I fix this? (Photo)

Question

Hi doctors, I am a 19-year-old girl. I used to be overweight, and I had neck liposuction last year. I have lost the extra weight with the help of a doctor. However, I have an unsightly fat pocket (I think it is fat) over and under my jawline. I'm not sure if it is fat or a result of the lipo cannula. But I hate it and want it gone. Should I get a facelift? Please help me

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

At 19 years old, a facelift could theoretically address the fullness and contour irregularities above and below your jawline. However, given your young age and the fact that your skin still has strong elasticity, it's more appropriate to consider conservative options first before proceeding with such an extensive surgery. The issue is likely due to residual fat or tissue irregularities following your previous liposuction. In this case, localized revision liposuction or fat grafting (lipofilling)may help improve the contour significantly without the need for a full facelift. That said, the most appropriate treatment can only be determined after a thorough in-person physical examination.

Guray Yesiladali, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Thank you for your question&mdash;you’re clearly paying close attention to your progress and results, which is an important part of post-weight loss care.
There are a few key points to consider:
⸻
1. Limited Information From the Current ImagesIt’s difficult to provide a precise assessment without high-quality photos taken from multiple angles in consistent lighting. Visual evaluation plays a major role in understanding the origin of residual fullness.
⸻
2. Possible Causes of Residual FullnessAlthough a detailed evaluation is needed, there are two common contributors in cases like yours: • Low cheekbone and chin projection: When bone structure is underdeveloped, the facial soft tissues can appear less supported, which may exaggerate the appearance of sagging or fullness in the jawline area. • Post-weight loss skin redundancy: After significant weight loss&mdash;especially following liposuction&mdash;the skin may not fully retract due to loss of elasticity and gravity, leading to a “loose” or bulky appearance under the jawline.
⸻
3. Less Invasive Solutions May Be PossibleBefore considering a facelift, there are several less invasive options worth exploring: • Skin tightening treatments (e.g. RF, ultrasound-based devices) • Chin or cheek augmentation using dermal fillers or implants to improve support and definitionThese approaches can sometimes create the visual lift and structure needed to improve jawline contour without surgery.
⸻
4. Endoscopic Lifting as a Minimally Invasive Surgical OptionFor patients seeking a more definitive and longer-lasting result&mdash;but still wanting to avoid a traditional facelift&mdash;endoscopic midface or lower face lifting may be considered. These techniques can provide tissue repositioning with smaller incisions and less downtime.
⸻
5. What’s Needed for a Clear PlanTo determine the most effective path forward, an in-person consultation&mdash;or at the very least, a set of high-resolution photos taken in good lighting from multiple angles&mdash;would be necessary. Only then can the right course of action be tailored to your anatomy and goals.
Wishing you continued confidence as you move through this next stage of your transformation,Op. Dr. Güray YeşiladalıBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Gene Sloan, MD · Answer

The fullness interrupting the youthful sweep of your jawline is indeed a fat pocket we call the jowl. The depression just in front of that is called the prejowl sulcus. Your jawline contour would be improved with liposuction of the jowl and fat grafting to the prejowl sulcus. An in person consultation would provide a more specific and accurate recommendation and determine whether the condition is bilateral and whether an extended anatomic chin implant, as mentioned by a previous poster, would be appropriate or desired by you. Ideally your weight is stable prior to doing this. A facelift is not the solution to your problem.

Gregory S. Keller, MD, FACS · Answer

Probably, you have experienced cheek descent and buccal fat.  However, if this is just jowl fat, sometimes a kybella injection can do the trick.  You need to see an experienced Facial Plastic Surgeon for an evaluation

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It is very likely that a lump over jaw belongs to jowl, in particular if present on the other side. A mass lower in the neck should be examined in person by a board certified plastic surgeon; it can be residual fat lump but also a mass associated with thyroid. Good luck.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

One alternative would be a chin implant. A chin implant extends quite a distance and may conceal the fat pocket. I do not believe anyone would do a face lift on a 19 year old female. The chin implant is done through an intra-oral approach so there is no visible scar.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Brendan Alleyne, MD, FACS · Answer

From the photo it appears to be early prejowling. This is commonly seen in rapid weight loss greater than 25-50 lbs in a short period of time. It is likely not related to neck liposuction as it is descent of the facial volume and skin sag over the cutaneous ligaments. A starting approach would be to add fat grafting along the jawline but completely treating the area would be a mini face and neck lift but with your age most people would wait and get to a stable weight while treating the area with fat grafting or fillers potentially combined with jawline liposuction. 
Thank you for your question!
Sincerely,
BA

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

No, please do not get a facelift at your age. i would suggest micro-needling with radiofrequency to tighten that area.

Steven Schuster, MD, FACS · Answer

dear pretty, the fat pockets that you see our possibly a combination of several things.  One you had liposuction which appears to have corrected the neck very nicely.  You do appear to have some jowl Ling and you have an indentation just anterior to this called the pre jowl sulcus.  You also do appear to have a slightly weak chin which complicates this.  The easy way to take care of this is with some very fine cannula liposuction to that little jowl pocket combined with fat augmentation to the pre jowl sulcus the groove in front of the fat pocket and possibly some fat in the chin to increase projection.  If you are looking for something more permanent you could combined some superficial liposuction with a chin augmentation using an extended implant which would fill that pre jowl sulcus as well.  I do not know where you are located but certainly there are many board-certified plastic surgeons who perform this surgery an you might seek the advice of several doctors including your previous surgeon who may be able to assist you in terms of costs.  Good luck with your decision.

Fat pocket over and under my jawline - how can I fix this? (Photo)

Answers (9)

More Facelift Questions

Feeling tight and uncomfortable 1yr post facelift

Can I get a facelift if I had Thermage 6 years ago?

What procedure is necessary to remove skin fat next to nostrils? (Photos)

Face lift without general anaesthesia. Is local anesthetic possible?

How to fix chubby cheeks and wide jaw? (Photos)

Age 30. Is the only way I can address heavy cheek tissue with a facelift? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS