Some people may have excess submental fat or what is commonly referred to as double chin. This fatty deposit can be inconsistent with the rest of their body, making a person appear as overweight when this may not be the case. Dr. Motakis’ goal is to dramatically reshape the contours of the neck and face producing a defined profile that reveals your optimal facial structure.
What Is Submental Liposuction?
Many patients find the excess fat under their chin very difficult to deal with, as it can prove to be resistant to diet and exercise. Submental liposuction is a procedure used to remove the excess fatty tissue from the neck through a tiny incision. As a result, submental liposuction establishes a sharp distinction between the jawline and the rest of the neck.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Submental Liposuction?
People can present with excess fat under the chin at any age. Therefore, there is no specific chronological age during your adult life when you should have this fatty tissue removed. The best candidates are ones that have good skin elasticity, in good general health, and with realistic expectations.
The Procedure
Submental (neck) liposuction is performed in a manner that is very similar to liposuction anywhere else on the body. The main difference is that a smaller area is being treated along with less fat being removed. The liposuction canula and the incision are less than 2-3 millimetres. The tiny incision is usually right under the chin hidden in an existing crease.
Occasionally, when Dr. Motakis feels that the patient does not have good skin elasticity or slightly relaxed skin he uses the NeckTite© apparatus to tighten the skin. NeckTite© is a tiny probe that is inserted through the same tiny incision and that emits radiofrequency to heat the skin from the inside thus inducing the production of more collagen and skin tightening over the months following surgery. The procedure generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes and is done as an outpatient procedure at our Avenue Road fully accredited surgical facility usually under local anesthesia with sedation. Sometimes general anesthesia may be used, especially if the procedure is combined with another procedure such as rhinoplasty or a facelift.
What Is The Recovery Period For Submental Liposuction?
You will receive instructions from Dr. Motakis concerning caring for your incision while you recover from surgery. Soon after your liposuction procedure, you will be able notice a significant difference in the contours of the jawline region. On average, it takes approximately 1 week to recover from submental liposuction. Initially, you should expect a few days of swelling and minimal bruising with minimal discomfort which is treated with mild analgesics such as Tylenol. You may be required to wear a compressive garment for the first few days in order to decrease swelling. You will likely be able to resume light activities the day after your surgery. You will likely need approximately 4-5 days off from work, and you will quickly be able to enjoy your new, enhanced neck, and more attractive facial profile.
What Are The Risk Factors Of A Submental Liposuction?
Dr. Motakis makes every effort to execute the procedure in the most meticulous way, however, as with any surgery, swelling around the area treated and bruising may sometimes be present. The tiny incision is invariably imperceptible but may take a few weeks to fade. Occasionally the tissue under the chin may feel hard and numb, but these symptoms resolve over a few weeks or months. Very rarely, slight irregularities, inadequate skin tightening, bleeding, infection, changes in skin sensation or reaction to a medication or an anesthetic, may occur. The list of all possible risks will be discussed in detail during your consult and pre-operative appointment with Dr Motakis and his team.
Are There Any Alternatives To Surgical Submental Liposuction?
For patients looking for a more modest enhancement, Belkyra® injectable treatment can often be used to reduce/dissolve away the fatty tissue under the chin. Belkyra ® is deoxycholic acid like that normally produced by our stomach to break down ingested fats. It is classified as a “cytolytic drug”, acting as a solvent, effectively destroying the fat cells in the areas where it’s injected.
Depending on the patient, Dr. Motakis will administer Belkyra ® in a series of one to six treatments spaced at least one month apart. During each treatment, Belkyra ® will be injected into the fatty tissue below the chin. Each treatment includes multiple injections spaced approximately one centimeter apart. The injection of Belkyra ® usually causes swelling in the area where it is injected that dissipates over a few days. Normal activity can be resumed immediately after injection.
Can Submental Liposuction Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Many of Dr. Motakis’ patients combine their submental liposuction procedure with other cosmetic procedures offered at the clinic. These procedures frequently include fat injections in other areas of the face (see facial fat grafting), buccal fat reduction, Botox© or other neuromodulators such as Xeomin©, hyaluronic injectable fillers such as Belotero ©, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, among others.
