Submental Liposuction – Double Chin Surgery

Serving clients near Mansfield, Arlington, Fort Worth & Dallas, Texas

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished for a more defined jawline? Or perhaps you’ve grown tired of that stubborn double chin that just won’t go away, no matter how much you diet or exercise? If so, submental or chin liposuction might be the solution you’ve been searching for.

What is Submental Liposuction for Double Chin?

Submental liposuction is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at removing excess fat from under the chin and neck region. This procedure can significantly improve your facial profile by reducing a double chin and providing better contouring the your neck and jawline.

How is Submental Liposuction Surgery Performed?

Dr. Michael L. Thornton, a double board certified cosmetic surgeon and Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, performs your submental liposuction surgery as an in-office procedure under local anesthesia, which means you’ll be awake but not feel any pain.

Dr. Thornton begins by infiltrating a numbing fluid solution under the skin and into the fat layer to provide local anesthesia and minimize bleeding in a technique called tumescent anesthesia.  He then makes a small incision under your chin in the natural skin crease and behind each of your earlobes to hide any scars.  Next, a hollow tubed liposuction cannula is used to gently suction out the fat from the middle and sides of your neck and sometimes the jowl region.  The cannula and suction tubing is attached to a floor vacuum device and/or Dr. Thornton may perform hand held suction using a small syringe.  The fat deposits are broken up and suctioned out with a controlled back and forth motion to provide even contouring of your neck.

Once the desired amount of fat has been removed, the small incisions are closed with sutures and a compression garment is applied.  The entire process and procedure takes about an hour.  As with any elective cosmetic surgical procedure, submental liposuction carries some risks, including bruising, swelling, numbness, and infection. However, when performed by a board-certified and experienced surgeon like Dr. Thornton, these risks are significantly minimized.

Different Types of Treatments for Double Chin

While submental or double chin liposuction is a popular choice, there are non-surgical procedures also available. These include Kybella injections, CoolSculpting, and ThermiTight RF. Each of these alternatives to liposuction surgery has its own set of benefits and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. 

Dr. Thornton does not perform Kybella for the treatment of submental fat nor does he provide CoolSculpting.  However, Dr. Thornton frequently performs ThermiTight RF procedures to assist in skin tightening at the time of face and neck liposuction.

During Your Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Thornton will review your aesthetic goals and expectations, evaluate your health, explain the submental liposuction procedure in detail, and discuss the recovery process.

Understandably, some patients are not candidates for submental liposuction alone and will need more broader or complex procedures to meet your aesthetic goals.  These additional procedures may consist of deep neck fat removal, platysmaplasty (muscle tightening) with or without skin removal, and rhytidectomy (face lift procedure) and will require general anesthesia for better exposure of your anatomy and performed at the surgery center.

While submental liposuction can provide significant improvements in the appearance your neck, it does not address loose or sagging skin and patients with significant skin laxity, may require additional procedures for optimal results.

What is the Recovery for Submental Liposuction

After the procedure, you can expect some minor bruising and swelling. However, these effects are temporary and should subside within two weeks or less. During your recovery, it’s important to limit your activities and wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and support the neck contours.

Final Thoughts about Submental Liposuction

1. Submental or chin liposuction is a safe and effective procedure for improving your facial profile and boosting your self-confidence.
2. Your procedure is performed by a double board-certified and experienced cosmetic surgeon, ensuring the highest standards of care and safety.
3. The ideal candidate for submental liposuction is someone who is in good health with a stable weight and realistic expectations about the results.
4. Recovery from liposuction is relatively quick, and most patients can return to their normal activities within a few weeks.
5. Submental liposuction improves your neck’s appearance by removing excess fat, but it doesn’t tighten loose or sagging skin. Therefore, additional procedures may be needed for those with significant skin laxity to achieve the best results.