At Biotech Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Aventura, FL, we understand how hard it is to feel self-confident when you have submental fullness. Some people cope by contouring their chin with dark makeup. Others refuse to be caught on camera laughing. If you feel self-conscious about your submental region due to excess fat deposits, keep reading to learn more about chin liposuction and find out if it is right for you.
How Does Chin Liposuction Work?
Chin liposuction works by removing fat strategically via suction through a cannula. With an artful eye and skilled hand, Dr. Trini Vega or Dr. Carlos Rivera-Serrano will remove chin fat evenly, leaving you with a smoother, less androgynous profile. Before your procedure begins, the treatment area will be numbed with lidocaine, and a vasoconstrictor will be injected into the chin.
Then, a small incision is made along the jawline. Through this incision, a very fine cannula is inserted. There is a suction device attached to the end of the cannula, and this suction device removes a significant amount of localized subcutaneous fat and tumescent fluid. Once enough fat has been removed to sculpt your desired contours, the cannula will be taken out. Finally, the incision will be stitched.
How Quickly Does This Treatment Work?
This highly effective fat removal treatment only takes an hour or two to complete. By the end of your procedure, a significant percentage of subcutaneous fat cells are gone from your chin. Typically, you can expect for a pound of fat to be removed from your chin during this procedure. However, if you are at or very near your goal weight, you can more realistically expect half a pound of fat to be removed.
Can Liposuction Improve Other Areas?
Yes, you can use liposuction to remove stubborn subcutaneous fat from other areas, too. While liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, up to 12 pounds of fat can be removed from the body safely in a single session. Besides the chin, the abdomen is one of the most frequently targeted areas for lipo treatment. You can generally expect to lose two to 2.5 pounds of abdominal fat with liposuction.
If you would like to improve the appearance of your flanks, roughly 1.5 to two pounds of fat can be removed. Up to 1.5 pounds of fat can be removed from the back, and you can lose up to 4.5 pounds of fat if you treat your inner and outer thighs. Moreover, you can lose up to a pound of fat if you target your upper arms.
How Long Will the Results of My Procedure Last?
Most people who undergo this procedure can expect their results to last for a lifetime. After the age of 24, the human body cannot grow new fat cells. Therefore, if you are at least in your mid-20s, you can expect a permanent reduction in the number of fat cells in your chin. For ideal results that last a lifetime, though, it is highly advisable that you don’t gain too much weight after surgery.
Even though there will be a permanently reduced number of fat cells in your chin, the fat cells that aren’t removed during this fat removal treatment can still expand. If enough excess energy is stored in your submental region after surgery, you may get to the point that you feel like a follow-up procedure is necessary.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
You will probably be considered a good candidate for this treatment if you are relatively healthy and concerned about a moderate amount of excess chin fat. However, there are some caveats. For example, regardless of how healthy you are, you must be able to follow all preparation and recovery guidelines to be considered a good candidate for this treatment.
How Do I Need To Prepare for Surgery?
To prepare for surgery, you need to undergo a medical evaluation to verify that you are healthy enough for surgery. If you are, you will be advised on what medications you need to stop taking temporarily to be considered a good fit. For example, you may need to stop taking blood thinners before surgery.
You also will not be able to consume alcohol or tobacco products prior to surgery. Furthermore, you will need to prepare for surgery by taking an antibiotic an hour before your procedure. If you are just getting chin lipo, you won’t need to fast because you will not receive general anesthesia. If you are targeting multiple regions of the body for fat removal during a single session, an eight-hour fast will be required.
What Recovery Guidelines Will I Need To Follow?
You will be given a complete list of recovery guidelines to follow during your initial consultation. One of the most important restrictions you must adhere to is to not engage in vigorous physical activity for at least one month post-op. If you push yourself too hard too shortly after surgery, your recovery process will be longer than it should be.
Another very important guideline to follow is to wear your bandages and head wrap for seven days post-op. The bandages help to keep the incision clean, and the head wrap ensures enough pressure is applied to the chin to facilitate fast healing.
When Will I Be Able To Go Back To Work?
We will advise you on when you can expect to return to work during your initial consultation. If you have a sedentary indoor job, you may be able to return to work just a few days after surgery. However, if you are getting lipo in multiple areas, you may want to take a week off from work to focus on your rest and recovery.
How Should I Sleep After Surgery?
Ideally, you should sleep upright during the first week following your procedure. If you don’t think you can sleep upright in your bed, you may need to spend a week sleeping in a recliner. If you choose to sleep horizontally, make sure that you sleep on your back, and keep your chin elevated above your heart.
It’s a good idea to use at least two pillows to help keep your chin up. Be prepared to sleep for at least seven hours per night, and don’t be surprised if you feel drowsy. If you start feeling particularly tired, resist the urge to stay up. Allow yourself to drift off to sleep and get some much-needed rest.
What If I’m Not a Good Fit for Surgery?
If you are not a good candidate for chin lipo, CoolSculpting may be a better fit for you. CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved non-invasive fat removal treatment that can be used to remove excess fat from pretty much anywhere, including the chin. Other areas commonly targeted for treatment include the neck, chest, abdomen, flanks, hips, and lower back.
CoolSculpting is a great alternative to lipo if you can’t take enough time off from work to recover because it provides incredible results. To get these results, you may need to attend up to six treatment sessions. However, these sessions usually take under an hour to complete depending on the scope of the treatment.
Am I a Good CoolSculpting Candidate?
You will most likely be considered a good CoolSculpting candidate if you are in relatively good health and have a moderate amount of chin fat that is affecting your self-confidence. If you suffer from a condition, like Raynaud’s disease, that makes you particularly sensitive to the cold, you won’t be deemed a good fit.
There are other contraindications that may disqualify you from treatment, too. Your medical history and present health will be discussed thoroughly to verify that you are healthy enough to receive this treatment. Furthermore, we will advise you on what results you can realistically expect to help you determine if this body contouring treatment is right for you. If it is a good fit, we will advise you on how to prepare for treatment.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Chin lipo works by suctioning out subcutaneous fat in the submental region. To verify that chin liposuction is right for you, schedule an appointment with us now at Biotech Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Aventura, FL, if you are in the Sunny Isles, Coral Gables, Miami, or Bay Harbor area. You can also schedule an appointment with us at our convenient new location at 1111 Kane Concourse Suite #111 Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154.