Double chin surgery is a cosmetic procedure which aims to remove excess fat from the area under the chin.
Double chin surgery usually has permanent results as the fat cells removed during the procedure do not typically grow back.
The most suitable double chin surgery which determines the duration of the results may depend on whether the double chin is because of accumulation of extra fat in the chin or because of the aging process.
What Happens During Double Chin Surgery
There are several steps that are followed during a double chain surgery.
Assessment: Before the surgery begins, the cosmetic surgeon will assess the anatomy of the chin and face to determine the best surgical approach.
- Anaesthesia: First, local anaesthesia will be given in the chin area.
- Removal of fat: Next, the excess fat will be removed from the chin area using liposuction or fat dissolving injections. Through a small incision, a thin vacuum tube will be inserted which removes the excess fat.
- Neck lift: This is then followed by a chin lift procedure, if required. This is done to remove excess skin or to reduce skin laxity around the chin area. It results in a more tightened appearance of the underlying neck muscle and refines the jaw line.
- Recovery: After the surgery, a compression garment is given for the chain and post operative instructions are to be followed till recovery is complete. This surgery has minimal downtime.
How Long Do Results Last After Chin Liposuction or Neck Lift
The results after liposuction or necklace are long lasting and remain that way as long as a stable body weight is maintained.
Increase in body weight after the procedure can lead to production of fat cells in the chin area. This may lead to reappearance of a double chin.
As you age, the skin around your chin area may lose its elasticity and become saggy. In time, this skin may stretch out due to gravity. This can impact the results of the double chin surgery over time.
If you are over the age of 25 years, the results of the double chin surgery may be permanent as fat cells do not regenerate after the age of 25. Therefore, after this age, once the fat cells are removed, they will not grow back.
Factors That Affect the Longevity of Results
Several factors influence the longevity of double chin removal surgery. These include:
- Elasticity of the skin: Those who have excess skin or skin laxities may develop the appearance of a loose, saggy chin even after the surgery.
- Age: Those who are younger experience more longer lasting results due to better skin health and healing process.
- Body weight gain: Those who gain a significant amount of weight after the surgery may develop a double chin as it causes the fat cells in the chin to expand.
- Incomplete fat removal during the surgery: If some fat cells were missed during the double chin surgery, it can cause those fat cells to show as uneven or swollen chin.
- Fat-to-skin ratio: Excess fat-to-skin ratio may lead to suboptimal outcome after the surgery. For such cases, additional procedures such as neck muscle tightening procedure and necklift are needed for long lasting results.
- Adherence to post operative instructions: Failure to comply with post operative instructions, such as using compression garments and following other precautions, may lead to poor healing at the surgical site and prevents the development of proper skin contour.
- Surgeon’s experience: A double chin surgery requires an artistic eye, precision and attention to detail. An experienced surgeon will give you better outcomes and longevity of the results.
Can Fat Return After Double Chin Surgery?
Yes, fat can return after double chin surgery.
Fat around the chin is notoriously stubborn and is difficult to completely get rid of. This can be exacerbated by excessive weight gain after the surgery, leading to the return of double chin appearance.
Stubborn fat around the chin can also be because of genetic factors. This can cause re-accumulation of fat under the chin.
Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Results
Here are a few tips to ensure that your double chin surgery results last for long:
- Avoid smoking and alcohol: Smoking and alcohol can affect the healing process and the overall results in the long run. They also increase the risks of post-surgical complications.
- Compression garments or bandages : These should be worn during the post-surgery recovery period. They help reduce the swelling and keep the incisions clean, thus avoiding potential infections of the area.
- Regular physical activity: Being active and exercising at least 3 times a week can help reduce/ maintain your body weight. This in turn will maintain the results of the double chin surgery.
- Neck exercises: Performing specific neck exercises can prevent development of fat in the chin area. These include neck rolls, neck rotations, head tilts and jaw movements. It is best to consult your surgeon regarding when these exercises can be started post-surgery.
- Healthy diet and hydration: Adequate nutrition and hydration promotes proper healing of the chin, leading to long lasting effects of the surgery. It is important to consume foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein.
Non-Surgical Alternatives for Double Chin Reduction
For those seeking non-surgical alternatives for double chin reduction, the following are the available options:
- Fat dissolvers: The non-surgical fat dissolvers help to remove stubborn fat and cellulite for specific areas. These contain a naturally occurring acid which helps to break down the fat in the submental area. Once the fat cells are broken down, the lymphatic system washes it away.
- Cryolipolysis: Cryolipolysis, also known as Fat freezing, is a non surgical option that destroys fat cells by cooling them. A small applicator is put on the area where the fat cells need to be cooled. It is an effective, non-invasive method to reduce double chin.
- Laser: Laser technique can be used to reduce double chin due to excessive/ saggy neck skin. It involves application of a laser which penetrates the deep layers of the skin and reforms the skin layers by encouraging the production of collagen. This reduces the fat cells as well as the extra skin in the neck.
When to Consider a Revision Procedure
For most cases, a revision procedure is not usually needed. However, a revision procedure may be needed if some pockets of fat cells were missed during the double chin surgery.
Revision procedure may also be needed if there is excessive skin present in the neck region. In these cases, neck lift surgery procedures may be done. This includes either a cervicoplasty (incisions in the neck to cut the excess skin) or platysmaplasty (tightening of the platysma neck muscle).
In the case of asymmetry or unevenness after double chin surgery, fat grafting may be done to correct the chin profile. This involves injecting fat cells to balance out the chin contour.
Final Thoughts
Double chin can impact one’s confidence with their appearance and their self-esteem. There are several surgical and non-surgical double chin reduction treatments which have been shown to be effective, with minimal side effects and downtime.
To learn more about which double chin reduction treatment is most appropriate for you, consult your cosmetic surgeon.
