A double chin, also known as submental fat, is a common condition that occurs when a layer of fat forms below your chin. A double chin is often associated with weight gain, but you don’t have to be overweight to have one. If you have a double chin and want to get rid of it, there are a variety of treatment options available. We offer chin liposuction to get rid of the excess amount of the fat and to define the shape of the chin, as this offers the most effective and dramatic result.
Almost everyone is familiar with liposuction on the thighs, abdomen and buttocks, but not many people are aware that liposuction can also be performed on the chin. A double chin can be a persistent problem for many people and does not necessarily mean that the person in question is overweight. A double chin can also be hereditary, making it difficult to get rid of a double chin with exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
The appearance of the face relies heavily on the balance of the features such as the nose, the chin and the cheek bones. Chin or cheek reshaping surgery alters these areas of the face improving the balance to give you a shape that you are happy with and that suits your overall appearance.
What are the reasons you may get a double chin?
There are many different types of changes that can occur to the neck and chin when a person ages. Sometimes, the problem is genetic, other times, it is related to facial movement and general ageing. Your weight and lifestyle can also play a role in how pronounced your double chin appears.
People who have a double chin often notice it in photos, some patients will wear scarves or high-necked jumpers just to cover their double chin. With this type of problem, there is often a very strong genetic element. Sometimes, people want surgery to prevent the problem from progressing.
Please note that a double chin usually comprises of two components. Usually there is excessive fat, as well as the second component being loose skin. Therefore, a specialised solution may be required to correct the problem.
Fat under the chin can be particularly difficult to get rid of, especially when you consider there is no real way to exercise the area underneath the skin where the fat is localised. Any exercise that does exist to target that area usually has little to no effect. To tackle a persistent double chin, patients usually choose chin liposuction.
Patients who have maintained healthy eating habits and a stable body weight with plenty of exercise are usually better candidates for this procedure, considering they cannot get rid of the double chin despite their healthy lifestyle.
DO I HAVE TO BE OVERWEIGHT TO HAVE A DOUBLE CHIN?
Cosmetic and dermatologist surgeons have noted for years that many localised areas of fat are not related to general weight. Patients might complain that even when they lose a lot of weight, the double chin remains.
Some patients even mention that weight loss has aggravated the problem. With weight loss and dieting, patients experience that the skin starts to droop and sag. This may become more noticeable on the neck and make the problem worse.
INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH DR ALI HUSSAIN
A consultation with Dr Ali Hussain will provide full insights into the options most suitable for your lifestyle that best suits your body type, as well as opportunity to discuss your goals.
Firstly, upon arriving at our clinic you will be met by our friendly staff and they will walk you through the initial patient registration process. Once this is done, you will be ready to be taken through for your initial consultation with Dr Ali Hussain.
During this consultation, you will be asked number of questions, including about your relevant medical background, history of surgery, followed by the physical examination to assess the skin quality and the fat.
Once you are assessed, and if you are considered suitable for surgery, then a surgical plan is created to provide you with the desired outcome. Of course, an important part of this is ensuring you have a realistic expectation about the results achievable.
Dr Ali Hussain will discuss with you the details of the surgery, your expected recovery period and inform you about the potential risks and complications that allow you to make an informed decision. Photos are then taken for our medical records.
Dr Ali Hussain will offer you a secondary complimentary consultation to answer any additional questions you have following your initial consultation. It is important that you have a thorough understanding of your planned procedure.
DOUBLE CHIN LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE
Liposuction on the chin can be quite tricky, considering the area the fat is located in. However, an experienced surgeon as Dr Ali Hussain will be able to tackle this area and remove the fat efficiently.
Double chin liposuction procedure is performed by making a small incision right underneath the chin. Once the incision has been made, Dr Ali Hussain will insert a small stainless steel tube, known as a cannula. By inserting the tube in the incision, the surgeon can remove the fat between the skin and muscle. The removal of the excess fat occurs through a gentle suction process.
Once the area has been completely numbed, liposuction using the tumescent technique is virtually painless. Because the numbness remains in the treated areas for more than 12 hours, patients don’t experience discomfort immediately following their procedure.
At the end of the liposuction procedure, you will be monitored for a short while before being allowed to leave the clinic. Due to the medications used during the treatment, you will need to wait at least 24 hours to drive, and you should have someone with you during that time to care for you as you recover from the procedure. You will need to wear a pressure garment for three to six weeks to reduce bruising and swelling and encourage the skin to contract to the new body shape.
ANAESTHESIA
This procedure is typically performed under a local anaesthetic. You can also request to have this procedure performed using a general anaesthetic.
IS THIS TREATMENT AN ALTERNATIVE TO DIET AND EXERCISE?
Double Chin Liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet and a regular exercise program. However, it is an excellent strategy for removing unwanted localised fat deposits and bulges, which are resistant to diet and exercise, creating a lasting and enhanced body contour.
WHAT IS THE TUMESCENT TECHNIQUE?
The tumescent technique of liposuction was developed in 1985. This technique involves the use of large volumes of a dilute solution of a local anaesthetic in combination with the vasoconstrictive drug, epinephrine, which shrinks capillaries.
Local anaesthesia used in the tumescent technique for liposuction is so effective that patients no longer need intravenous sedatives, narcotic analgesics or general anaesthesia. This technique is now considered the safest form of liposuction for removing very large amounts of fat, because there is virtually no blood loss.
Not only has the tumescent technique been proven to be safer than the standard technique using general anaesthesia, but it has also proven to be less painful, with a minimal post-operative recovery time, and produces optimal cosmetic results. Once the area has been completely numbed, liposuction using the tumescent technique is essentially painless. In addition, because the numbness remains in the treated area for more than 12 hours, there is no pain immediately after surgery.
HOW MUCH FAT CAN BE REMOVED?
The biggest determining factor is the quality of your skin over the area that requires liposuction. After the fat is removed, liposuction relies on the skin contracting down to prevent any looseness or sagging and a younger skin tends to have more tone and elasticity, allowing for more aggressive fat removal.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
Depending on the extent of your procedure, liposuction may last anywhere from 30min to 45 mins. Keep in mind this is only the surgical time, however. Patients need to allocate a half a day to allow for the pre-operative workup, the surgery and post-operative care.
RECOVERY:
The recovery time after a tumescent double chin liposuction is considerably shorter than with other liposuction procedures, simply because the procedure is executed under local anaesthetic. However, most patients will experience some slight discomfort after having the chin liposuction procedure. It is a day procedure with minimal side effects.
SIDE EFFECTS AND POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS:
Common side-effects of this procedure are minor bruising, swelling and temporary numbness. Most patients who had double chin liposuction do not experience any pain and if pain does occur it can easily be tackled with some over-the-counter pain medication. Dr Ali Hussain also provide you with a prescription for pain medication if you should experience a little more discomfort than usual.
Numbness may also occur, but usually disappears after some months, and irregularities, such as minor grooving (or dimpling) under the skin may appear. Other complications, such as infection and prominent scars are unusual. Dr Ali Hussain will discuss the side effects and any potential complications directly with you at your initial consultation.
SCARRING:
Some patients are also concerned about scarring after having the double chin liposuction procedure. When you have the chin liposuction procedure, you can expect some minor scarring. However, the scarring is usually hidden quite well due to the location where the incision is made. The incision made during the chin liposuction procedure is also very small, so it will be barely visible to the naked eye.
The minor bruising and swelling patients experience after the procedure only lasts for a small amount of time and usually disappears in a few weeks.
WHAT IS A SUCCESSFUL DOUBLE CHIN LIPOSUCTION SURGERY?
A Double Chin liposuction surgery is a success when the surgeon and patient are both happy with the results. The surgeon’s goal is to obtain an optimal aesthetic result, rather than to maximise the amount of fat removed. One of the most common causes for disappointment in the results of liposuction surgery is the removal of too much fat, which produces an abnormal or unusual appearance.
It is important for you to recognise that the cosmetic success of double chin liposuction surgery is often the result of removing an amount of fat needed to provide pleasing, aesthetic results. It is not about taking out as much fat as possible, but to achieve an aesthetically desired result. That’s why sometimes it is called a liposculpture procedure.
COST:
AH Cosmetic Clinic will discuss the cost with you which include the facility fee, anesthesia, surgeon fee and surgical garment.
HOW TO BOOK A CONSULTATION
You can book a consultation to discuss your suitability for this procedure by phoning us on 0420 488 105 or by emailing info@dralihussain.com.au. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form on our home page and we will phone you back to organise a suitable appointment time.
Disclaimer: All surgical procedures carry risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
