Bye Bye Gobble

Had multiple procedures done at once: lipo of under chin area (submental), lipo of abdomen, back and flanks, fat transfer to the breast, chin, lower face and lips. At 1 week post surgery I am most excited about the sudden disappearance of my double chin. This review will include my experience of all the procedures, but only photos of the relevant procedure- other photos will be under their coordinating procedure title. Here’s my experience thus far...
The surgeon:
From my research there are only three surgeons that I would considered qualified and experienced at doing fat transfer to the breast and lower face in the southwest MI area. I consulted with my preferred two- Ringler and Timek. Ringler, while I’m sure very talented at the procedures he offers seems rather behind on the latest fat grafting techniques and capabilities- and does not offer chin augmentation beyond fillers. His bedside manner also leaves a bit to be desired, though his staff and nurses are fantastic. Timek is clearly more versed in fat grafting in general- in addition she specializes in reconstruction and microsurgery (super important when you do the research on submental lipo and how to naturally place fat and give it the best chance of staying alive!). Her bedside manner is caring, positive, professional and unpretentious. While I admirably believe her passion and career is more focused on the reconstruction side of cosmetic surgery, I felt she was much better equipped to give me the results and longevity I was looking for.
Surgery:
My surgery date was able to be scheduled within two weeks of my consult. For everything I had done surgery lasted 4+ hours under general. I woke up with a pretty good amount of pain and my lower face, particularly my lips, was already VERY swollen and hurt more than I expected. I was prepared to be very sore from the lipo, but was NOT prepared for the swelling, bruising and pain I woke up to in my lower face. Obviously, I knew the swelling would come, but the degree was a bit shocking! The swelling and bruising from the body lipo has been relatively mild, however.
Recovery:
Having lipo all the way around my core made it impossible to use my core muscles for nearly a week without someone helping me change positions or get in and out of bed. I pretty much lived in my bedroom for the first week- between the compression garments on my trunk and around my head, the bruising, swelling and pain, expect to only want to get up to use the bathroom and shower. I took a smorgasbord of supplements in addition to prescribed pain killers and still the swelling, bruising and pain kept me down for the first week. Even if I didn’t have the body lipo, just the submental lipo and fat transfer to the lower face was enough to keep me down (and definitely out of public) for the first week. I’m 9 days out as of writing and working a full day is difficult. Silver lining to covid/masks- thank goodness for the masks because I am still bruised on my face and swollen in my lips. Shockingly enough, the place I had the least amount of swelling, bruising and pain were my breasts. Be prepared to wear compression garments for 6 weeks+. The body one isn’t terrible, basically got and added “lipo foam” to prevent creasing. The chin strap is a torture device...
Submental Lipo and Chin Augmentation with Fat Transfer:
I would have paid what I paid for all of my procedures (and more) just for this one result! The death of my double chin, I can’t even put a price tag on this... I’m sure it’s a combination of the improvement of my recessed chin along with the double chin lipo, but I feel like a different person already. I am only 35 and have had somewhat of a double chin for most of my adult life- the pre-existing recessed chin only compounded the problem. After having three children it was worse... I have been wanting to do something about the gobble for as long as I can remember. Other than cost, the only other downside is the chin strap situation... so if having simultaneous chin augmentation with fat transfer you do NOT want one with a portion that goes over the chin- it will kill it! I knew this ahead of time and ordered an adjustable neoprene like material one on amazon that looked like it didn’t require it to cover the chin at all. It was a good call because the surgical center didn’t have a post surgical wrap that would do this. I also cut out a lower jaw shaped piece of “lipo foam” to put between the strap and my banished double chin area to minimize creases- this was KEY!! Without that cutout my neck was becoming more and more uneven with creases the first few days when I hadn’t yet thought of doing this... Even though it’s also more comfortable with the foam this whole situation is basically a form of ancient torture- not fun to live in one of these 24/7... Suck it up, 150% worth it!
Fat Transfer to the Breasts:
230ccs were transferred to each of my breasts. I was not looking for larger breasts, or even to gain a cup size, I was only looking to gain lost fullness in the upper pole and perkiness. Plan to get a supportive, yet not restrictive bra for recovery- don’t want anything too tight killing new fat. Upon seeing my before and after pics I am a little nervous I didn’t have quite enough transferred (once the swelling goes down fully) and that maybe I should consider a lift/areolar downsizing in the closer future. To Dr. Timek’s credit, we did discuss this prior to surgery and while I am not clinically considered droopy yet, she felt like a small lift would potentially help the overall esthetic. We decided together that adding the fat would give a subtle lifting affect and adding scars may not be worth the lift I would get at this point. Maybe in the future, we will see how the fat settles and if my nipple placement relative the to rest of my breast tissue appears higher than what is seen at my 1 week post-op. Stay tuned...
Body Lipo:
This is a pretty close second to the chin lipo- SO worth it. I’m still swollen, but I am basically a different person in the middle. I was built basically like a man- straight up and down- no waist, only a super high pelvis with accentuating love handles, a little back fat and after three kids a pouch in the front that wasn’t going away. Don’t get me wrong- I know I am incredibly lucky to not have stretch marks and enough laxity to get away with just lipo after three kids. I am sooo thankful I did not need a tummy tuck... I cannot believe I actually have a waist!!!
Fat transfer to the lower face (smile and marionette lines) and lips:
This was a throw in for me. At 35 my issues with facial fat loss was minimal. I included this more as a preventative, a little youth booster and because I was having the fat removed, why not? First, the lines- still bruised, but I am very pleased with the volume in this area improving my lines and once the swelling goes down my jowls (in their infancy) are sure to be a thing of the past as well! So glad I did this area... Okay now for the lips... HOLY HELL, wish someone had told me to expect two hugely distended slugs in the form of massive duck lips on my face for at least two weeks. Even if this was the only procedure I had done there is ZERO chance of gaining admission back into civilization for the first week. Ignore the pain, and bruising and even swelling (thank you masks!), I literally could not talk normally! (I even wore a mask at home so I didn’t scare myself and my children!!! Not kidding...) I’m at 9 days post-op and if it weren’t for masks in public I would still be hiding at home. My pronunciation ability is probably back to 80% and swelling is down 50% or so. Still have a long way to go in the lip and face healing department, but I can see the light!
I am still beating myself up for the money spent... I am by no means rolling in it and I’ve had to work my butt off (literally... BBL in the future maybe...?) with two businesses to make this feasible for me, but I’ll happily drive around my beater VW wagon a few more years as a trade off. I’m sure I’ll come back and add more later regarding aftercare and follow up results, but all in all so worth it and very pleased.

Results speak for themself. Only thing I would change is not tell my surgeon to go conservative on the abdominal lipo and fat transfer to the lips. Wish I had done a little more of both. Otherwise, I am absolutely THRILLED with my results. Dr. Timek is the best and I refer friends, even strangers, who notice my work to her constantly.

Still the best decision ever- look at this jaw line!! In my second surgery (see my other review) I had her touch up my chin and lips with fat grafting while she was doing fat grafting for other areas. Honestly don’t notice much of a difference in my lips, but my chin and jawline is incredible.