Liposuction is the technique of choice to eliminate a double or triple chin, without resorting to the more invasive method of a “face lift.” When I say more invasive, I mean that the “face lift” is a much more invasive procedure than liposuction.
Let’s first compare the two procedures:
Chin liposuction does not leave scars, unlike the “face lift” where cutting is required to remove excess skin. With liposuction, the fat is simply frozen to allow for painless aspiration. For the “face lift,” general anesthesia is usually required, with the potential risks that entails.
Sometimes, the “face lift” gives an appearance of overly stretched, unnatural skin, which is not the case after liposuction, as the skin simply returns to its normal position.
Lastly, the recovery from liposuction is much faster than that of a “face lift” because it does not involve any cuts or sutures.
Unfortunately, liposuction is not always indicated, and if the tissues are simply too loose, liposuction will not help, as it strictly addresses the presence of fat, and the skin will only redrape if the cause of its distension, namely the weight of the fat, is removed.
For women who lack a neck but simply have a long chin, liposuction will correct nature’s mistake and restore a normal neck to these individuals.
“No neck” is an expression meaning that the chin-neck angle is virtually nonexistent, replaced by a straight line running from the chin to the base of the neck. When the patient is older, in addition to the submental region, fat from the jowls will also be aspirated, rejuvenating the jawline.
Around the age of 50 and beyond, one must be cautious about the skin’s reaction in the submental region. Sometimes, instead of a fatty bulge, two or three vertical lines may appear, which may not be a significant improvement for some, but others may prefer it to a double or triple chin. It is important to properly inform the patient to avoid disappointment and to show them “before and after” photos of similar cases.
I repeat, disappointments can not only poison the patient’s life but also that of the surgeon, who needs full concentration to perform flawless work. Therefore, they must do everything possible to avoid such troubles and adopt the old English adage: “In doubt, stay out,” meaning “When in doubt, abstain!”
For this particular region, the size of the cannulas is very important. Personally, I prefer a cannula barely larger than a needle used for blood draws. Therefore, the incision will be tiny and leave no trace. Additionally, a micro cannula allows for very superficial liposuction with excellent skin retraction.
Dr. Luiz Toledo, in his book “Refinements in Facial and Body Contouring,” notes the excellent elasticity of neck skin compared to the face, where elasticity is very poor.
