Liposuction of the Chin and Neck

Liposuction isn’t just for thighs and tummies. It can define the jaw line and give patients a more youthful face.

Ideal Candidates

Good candidates for liposuction of the chin and neck include those who:

• Have relatively good skin tone. If fat is removed, it can lead to sagging of the jaw and jowls. If a patient with lax skin desires the procedure, it may need to be combined with a face lift or other procedures that rid them of excess skin.
• Have lost all the weight they plan to. Liposuction is not intended to replace weight loss through diet and exercise.
• Are in good overall health. Sufferers of chronic conditions should consult their primary physician before pursuing cosmetic surgery.

Preparing for Surgery        

There several steps patients can take to prepare for liposuction surgery. These steps can make healing more comfortable and reduce the amount of recovery time. Before liposuction surgery, patients should:

• Talk to the surgeon and the rest of the team that will be present during the procedure. This may include a nurse, an anesthesiologist, and a surgical technician. Candidates are sometimes nervous before going under anesthesia, so speaking to the people involved in the surgical process can help to curb the nervousness and clarify the process a little more clearly.
• Take care of your overall health. Everything goes more smoothly if the patient is in optimal health before the surgery. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, drinking water, avoiding blood thinners, and ceasing to smoke for at least two weeks before and after the procedure.  Consult the surgeon before making any changes to your lifestyle.

The Surgery

There are various liposuction techniques used when targeting fat deposits of the neck and chin area. Consultation with a surgeon is strongly encouraged to determine which technique is most suitable.  If general anesthesia is used, the patient will not hear, see, or feel anything. Liposuction of the chin and neck takes about an hour, but treatment time can vary depending on the patient’s individual circumstances.

Recovery from Liposuction of the Chin and Neck

Patients should know what to expect after liposuction surgery.

• Swelling: It is important for patients to be aware that liposuction of the chin and neck leads to swelling just like any other surgical procedure. However, because is the surgery is performed on an area that can’t always be concealed with clothing, it can be a lot more obvious than swelling on other parts of the body. It can take three or four weeks for the initial swelling to subside, and three to six months for final results to show.
• Pain: Pain is usually at its worst in the first few days after the procedure. Still, some patients feel well enough to return to work in as little as two days. Prescription or over-the-counter pain medication can be used to help patients feel more comfortable after surgery.
• Maintaining the new look: While the fat cells that are suctioned out during liposuction are permanently gone, it is still possible to gain additional fat deposits through a sedentary lifestyle and improper diet. The best way to maintain the results of liposuction is through proper diet and exercise.

Contact Crawford Plastic Surgery to find out if you are a good candidate for liposuction of the chin and neck.