Double Chin or Chin Tuck Surgery - What You Need to Know

As plastic surgery procedures become more mainstream, many people are interested in double chin or chin tuck surgery. There are several procedures that your plastic surgeon can perform to reduce the appearance of a double chin so you look thinner and younger.

Below, we discuss what you need to know about double chin or chin tuck surgery.

Double Chin Surgery Overview

As we age, the face, jaw, and chin skin can loosen and give us jowls. Also, fat can accumulate in this area, giving us the dreaded double chin. Fortunately, there are several ways to address the problem, and some involve surgery. 

Which is best for you depends on factors such as age, skin elasticity, aesthetic goals, amount of fat, etc.

Chin Tuck

This procedure only treats the chin and upper area of the neck. However, it is effective in tightening the skin around the chin, and it removes unwanted fat.

During a chin tuck, the plastic surgeon makes incisions near the hairline and ear. Next, they remove fat with liposuction and reposition tissue to create a more aesthetically pleasing chin. The surgeon also will tighten the underlying muscles and trim any excess skin.

Chin Liposuction

The surgeon uses liposuction with a small cannula to remove extra fat from under the chin and neck.

Kybella

Kybella is an injectable that destroys fat cells. If you have a small amount of fat under the chin and no loose skin, this can be a good choice.

After the fat cells under the chin die, they are eventually eliminated from the body after a few weeks.

Kybella injections may be better suited for younger patients who have more elastic skin. Also, Kybella may require two or three sessions, but they don’t take long and involve no downtime.

Neck Lift

If you have extra skin and fat on the neck and the chin, a neck lift could be ideal. This procedure removes unwanted tissue and tightens the neck muscles to give a sleeker look.

All of the above procedures can reduce or eliminate a double chin. But not every patient can have liposuction if you have a lot of loose skin. If that is the case, your surgeon may recommend a neck lift.

What Happens Before The Procedure?

Before you undergo a procedure to address a double chin, your plastic surgeon will have a consultation with you to talk about the following:

• What your goals are for your chin and neck. For example, if you just have extra fat under the chin, you may qualify for liposuction or Kybella. But if you have excess fat and loose skin, you could need a neck lift, too.
• Medical history, including current medical issues, allergies, and medications.
• Whether you smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs.

Your plastic surgeon also will examine your neck, chin, and face. Then, they’ll mark areas of the chin and neck that need to be corrected and take pictures.

Last, your surgeon will recommend the best procedure to correct your double chin and related problems. They may recommend a chin tuck or double chin surgery, but there are other options, as noted above.

Double Chin Surgery Advantages

After the procedure, your surgeon selects, you should have a better-defined chin and neck that makes you look younger and thinner. Also, most patients report having smoother, younger-looking skin in this area.

Double Chin Surgery Risks

Double chin surgery is safe and effective, and most patients have no severe complications. But it is surgery, so remember to consider these risks:

• Incisions that do not heal well
• Infection
• Persistent pain, swelling, and bruising
• Skin discoloration and irregularities
• Nerve injury
• Hematoma under the incision that requires a drain
• Blood clots or bleeding
• Face asymmetry
• Unhappy with the results, which can necessitate revision surgery

Double Chin Surgery Recovery

After your chin surgery, you may experience moderate pain, bruising, and swelling. Plus, some patients report a tight feeling under the chin. But don’t worry; these issues usually resolve on their own after one to three weeks.

However, note that your incisions can take two or three months to heal fully. If your surgeon inserted drains, they will remove them a few days after surgery. Most patients can return to work and daily activities after one or two weeks.

If you had chin liposuction only, recovery only takes about a week. Kybella injections involve no recovery or downtime.

Outlook

Double chin or chin tuck surgery is an effective procedure to give your chin a more aesthetic appearance. In addition, patients report that slimming the chin area transforms their face, making them look thinner and younger.

Talk to your board-certified plastic surgeon today about the procedures available to address a double chin.

References:

Submental Liposuction by Dr. Steinberg. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.drsteinberg.com/procedures/face/submental-liposuction-double-chin-removal/

Double Chin Surgery Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/double-chin-surgery

Neck Lift Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/neck-lift

Double Chin Surgery. (2020). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/double-chin-surgery

Double Chin Removal Procedure. (2017). Accessed at https://www.allure.com/story/double-chin-removal-procedure