Chin Liposuction - Maryland

I am a 36 yrs old and recently had chin liposuction (2 weeks post-op). I am slim and just started noticing in the last three years I was developing a double chin and finally decided I couldn't stand it anymore. My plastic surgeon stated during the consultation that the fat appeared to be under the muscle and she was right. So during the surgery she had to cut the muscle under my chin to remove the fat and she also tightened the muscle as well.

When I was considering having the surgery, I was considering the less invasive procedure, such as smart lipo and slim lipo. I am glad that I did not decide on either of those procedures because they would not have been successful since the majority of my fat was under the muscle. When I woke up after the surgery I had slurred speech, a right facial droop, and paralysis on the right side of my lower lip.

For the first few days I had to drink out of a straw and had trouble eating. I thought at first that this was a side effect of the anesthesia, but my surgeon stated it was either a stretched or bruised nerve or the muscle was weakened during surgery and it is only temporary. I was really upset and not optimistic. My mouth was distorted especially when I would smile or laugh. By the end of week one I had stopped slurring my words and my facial droop had resolved, but I still had a crooked smile.

I am now two weeks post-op and my smile is starting to look normal and I can now move the corner of my mouth down slightly, which I could not do at all before. I am beginning to feel better and believe now that I will have my smile back in no time.

As for the results of my procedure, I did not remove the pressure garment for the first 24hrs as instructed and after that only removed it for no more than an hour a day for the first week. My dressing was removed by my surgeon 5 days later. My face and my entire neck was swollen, but below my chin was flat and my double chin was gone. I could see the results and I was very impressed. I continued to wear the pressure garment 23hrs a day for the next week. My swelling in my face has resolved, but I am still really swollen on the right side of my neck and a little on the left. Directly under my chin has begun to swell, which started to make me worry because it was flat before. My surgeon stated that this is normal and to continue to wear my pressure garment at least 8hrs a day or longer if possible. She also told me that if I eat salty foods I could have more swelling, so try to avoid them.

I wanted to post this to make people aware of my side effects and to let them know that they are resolving. I worried so much and did so much research online, but I feel much better now and wanted to share my story. I am glad I did the surgery and cannot wait for the final results!